ABSTRACT
Objectives: We sought to identify pediatric emergency room (ER) utilization at Alexandra Hospital Nevis, WI for asthma.
Methods: Our utilization study employed a retrospective randomized chart review of pediatric patients (0-10 years of age) between January 1st, 2012 and December 31st, 2014. Univariate, bivariate analysis and ArcGIS were employed to explain the distribution of asthmatic cases and to present potential sources of asthma triggers in parishes with a high representation of asthma. Results: Of the 383 randomized patients represented, 42 were asthmatic. Of the 640 ER presentations represented, 89 were asthmatic. Males (59/89 presentations or 66.3%) and children 0-5 years of age (71/89 presentations or 79.8%), represented a higher proportion of asthmatic cases. A greater number of asthmatic ER presentations occurred in the first calendar quarter of the year (34/89 presentations or 38.2%). Of the records indicating a home parish, most asthmatic presentations represented St. John's or St. George's parishes (67/85 presentations or 78.8%). Of the distinct asthmatic patients, 26 (n=42) were male; 31 (n=42) were between the ages of 0-5 years of age; and 32 patients (n=42) were from St John's or St. George's parishes. The overrepresentation of asthmatic patients and presentations from St John's and St. George's parishes coincide with drought severity assessment data.
Conclusions: We identified a greater utilization of ER services by particular subpopulations in our study. This information can be used for the appropriation of staff and resources, as well as designing interventions targeting these subpopulations to encourage more efficient utilization of community health clinics.
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