Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Prognostic Indicators in Heart Failure - The Role of Phase Angle and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
04:05

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Prognostic Indicators in Heart Failure - The Role of Phase Angle and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Published on: June 30, 2023

2.8K

Complications of Serious Pediatric Conditions in the Emergency Department: Definitions, Prevalence, and Resource

Kenneth A Michelson1, Richard G Bachur1, Prashant Mahajan2

  • 1Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|August 7, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Defining complications in pediatric emergency care using administrative data revealed higher resource use in affected children. This approach can improve healthcare outcomes and delivery for pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Health Services Research
  • Administrative Data Analysis

Background:

  • Accurate measurement of complications in pediatric emergency departments is crucial for quality improvement.
  • Administrative data offers a potential avenue for defining and tracking these complications.
  • Resource utilization disparities between complicated and uncomplicated cases highlight areas for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish definitions for complications in acute pediatric conditions using administrative data.
  • To validate these definitions by comparing resource utilization (length of stay, charges) between children with and without complications.
  • To assess the feasibility of using administrative data for outcome comparison and healthcare improvement.

Main Methods:

  • Local consensus was used to predefine complications for 16 acute pediatric conditions.
  • Data from 27,087 emergency department visits (ages <18) across Maryland and New York (3 years) were analyzed.
  • Resource utilization metrics, including hospital length of stay and charges, were compared between patients with and without complications.

Main Results:

  • Appendicitis was the most frequent condition (16,794 visits), with 24.3% experiencing complications like perforation, abscess, or sepsis.
  • Sepsis presented the highest mortality rate (5.0%).
  • Children with complications generally showed increased length of stay (except ovarian/testicular torsion) and significantly higher hospital charges (P < .05) for 15 of 16 conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Clinically significant complications in pediatric acute care are measurable using administrative data.
  • These complications are demonstrably associated with increased resource utilization.
  • Administrative data-derived complication rates can serve as a valuable tool for comparing outcomes and enhancing pediatric healthcare delivery.
Abstract

Keywords:
appendicitiscomplicationsmeasurementquality

More Related Videos

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department07:52

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department

Published on: January 29, 2011

16.8K
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide09:52

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide

Published on: January 15, 2017

17.6K

Related Concept Videos

Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
1.6K
Short-distance Transport of Resources02:12

Short-distance Transport of Resources

Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.
17.5K
Definite Integral01:29

Definite Integral

Consider a real-valued function defined on a closed interval. One of the fundamental objectives in calculus is to determine the area under the graph of such a function. When an exact computation is not readily available, this area can be estimated by dividing the interval into a finite number of equal subintervals. Each subinterval corresponds to a rectangle whose width is the length of the subinterval and whose height is determined by the value of the function at a selected point within that...
39
Emerging Adulthood01:27

Emerging Adulthood

Jeffrey Arnett's concept of emerging adulthood offers a framework to understand the unique developmental stage between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, generally from ages 18 to 25. This period is marked by extensive exploration and shifts in identity, relationships, and career choices, a process known in psychology as role experimentation. Emerging adulthood reflects the evolving cultural expectations surrounding adulthood and the dynamic process of personal transformation during...
640
Definition of z-Transform01:26

Definition of z-Transform

The z-transform is a powerful mathematical tool used in the analysis of discrete-time signals and systems. It is an essential analytical tool, analogous to the Laplace transform used in continuous-time systems. It plays a crucial role in the analysis of signals and systems, complementing the discrete-time Fourier transform. Both the z-transform and the Laplace transform convert differential or difference equations into algebraic equations, simplifying the process of solving complex problems.
1.6K
Properties of Definite Integral I01:30

Properties of Definite Integral I

A car’s motion over time can be effectively analyzed using integral calculus, particularly through the concept of the definite integral applied to a velocity–time relationship. The definite integral describes how velocity accumulates over a specified time interval to produce total displacement. From a geometric perspective, this displacement is interpreted as the area under the velocity–time curve. Several key properties of definite integrals make it easier to analyze motion...
34