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A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
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A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

Published on: November 9, 2016

Waiting room oral rehydration in the paediatric emergency department

J A Craven1, L Campbell, C T Martin

  • 1Paediatric Emergency Department, National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24. jcraven@ausdoctors.net

Irish Medical Journal
|June 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Implementing waiting room oral rehydration for children with acute gastroenteritis significantly reduced intravenous fluid use and hospital admissions. This simple intervention is effective in pediatric emergency settings.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a standard treatment for acute gastroenteritis but is underutilized in hospital settings.
  • Children presenting to pediatric emergency departments with vomiting and/or diarrhea often require medical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a waiting room ORT protocol for children with acute gastroenteritis.
  • To assess the impact of early ORT on the need for intravenous fluids and hospital admission.

Main Methods:

  • A protocol for waiting room ORT was implemented for children triaged with vomiting and/or diarrhea.
  • Data from the study period were compared to a historical control group from the previous year.

Main Results:

  • During the study, 205 of 269 presentations (76%) were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis.
  • Children receiving waiting room ORT had significantly lower rates of intravenous fluid administration (28% vs. 56%) and hospital admission (23% vs. 32%) compared to the control group.
  • The protocol is now integrated into routine care.

Conclusions:

  • Waiting room oral rehydration is a simple, successful intervention for pediatric acute gastroenteritis.
  • This protocol can be readily implemented in any Emergency Department to reduce healthcare resource utilization.

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