Comparison of pediatric and general emergency medicine practice patterns in infants with fever

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Clinical Management

Background:

• Fever in infants is a common emergency department (ED) presentation.
• Management protocols may differ between pediatric and general EDs.
• Evaluating guideline adherence is crucial for optimal care.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare management strategies for febrile infants (≤90 days) in pediatric EDs (PEDs) versus general EDs (GEDs).
• Assess physician compliance with established clinical guidelines in both settings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of infants ≤90 days presenting with fever.
• Data collection included vital signs, laboratory tests, disposition, and diagnosis.
• Comparison of guideline compliance between PED and GED.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in compliance with admission guidelines were found between PED and GED across evaluated age groups.
• Laboratory workup and overall guideline adherence showed no significant variation between the two ED types.
• Physician management approaches for febrile infants were comparable.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric and general emergency departments exhibit similar management practices for febrile infants.
• Physicians in both PEDs and GEDs demonstrate comparable compliance with clinical guidelines.
• Young infants with fever can be safely managed in either a pediatric or general emergency department setting.