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The Treatment of Pediatric Gastroenteritis: A Comparative Analysis of Pediatric Emergency Physicians' Practice Patterns.
- Source :
- Academic Emergency Medicine; Jan2011, Vol. 18 Issue 1, p38-45, 8p, 5 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Objectives: Acute gastroenteritis is a very common emergency department (ED) diagnosis accounting for greater than 1.5 million outpatient visits and 200,000 hospitalizations annually among children in the United States. Although guidelines exist to assist clinicians, they do not clearly address topics for which evidence is new or limited, including the use of antiemetic agents, probiotics, and intravenous (IV) fluid rehydration regimens. This study sought to describe the ED treatments administered to children with acute gastroenteritis and to compare management between Canadian and U.S. physicians practicing pediatric emergency medicine (PEM). Methods: Members of PEM research networks located in Canada and the United States were invited to participate in a cross-sectional, Internet-based survey. Participants were included if they are attending physicians and provide care to patients < 18 years of age in an ED. Results: In total, 235 of 339 (73%) eligible individuals responded. A total of 103 of 136 Canadian physicians (76%) report initiating oral rehydration therapy (ORT) in children with moderate dehydration, compared with 44 of 94 (47%) of their U.S. colleagues (p < 0.001). The latter more often administer antiemetic agents to children with vomiting (67% vs. 45%; p = 0.001). American physicians administer larger IV fluid bolus volumes (p < 0.001) and over shorter time periods (p = 0.001) and repeat the fluid boluses more frequently (p < 0.001). Probiotics are routinely recommended by only 35 of 230 respondents (15%). Conclusions: The treatment of pediatric gastroenteritis varies by geographic location and differs significantly between Canadian and American PEM physicians. Oral rehydration continues to be underused, particularly in the United States. Probiotic use remains uncommon, while ondansetron administration has become routine. Children frequently receive IV rehydration, with the rate and volume administered being greater in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- GASTROENTERITIS treatment
DEHYDRATION
ANTIEMETICS
THERAPEUTIC use of probiotics
ANALYSIS of variance
CHI-squared test
COMPARATIVE studies
COMPUTER software
CONFIDENCE intervals
STATISTICAL correlation
EMERGENCY medical services
EMERGENCY physicians
EMPLOYEES
EMPLOYMENT
EXPERIENCE
FISHER exact test
HOSPITAL admission & discharge
INTRAVENOUS therapy
MEDICAL practice
ORAL rehydration therapy
PATIENTS
PROBABILITY theory
RESEARCH funding
SCALE analysis (Psychology)
SURVEYS
VOMITING
WATER-electrolyte balance (Physiology)
PHYSICIAN practice patterns
DATA analysis
CROSS-sectional method
CHILDREN
THERAPEUTICS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10696563
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Academic Emergency Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 57240012
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1553-2712.2010.00960.x