Diagnostic Variation for Febrile Children in European Emergency Departments

Overview

Journal Eur J Pediatr

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2022 Mar 22

PMID 35314869

Authors

Lorenzo Zanetto

Josephine van de Maat

Daan Nieboer

Henriette Moll

Alain Gervaix

Liviana Da Dalt

Santiago Mintegi

Silvia Bressan

Rianne Oostenbrink

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Conclusion: the use of diagnostics for febrile children was highly variable across European EDs, yet patient and hospital characteristics could only partly explain inter-hospital variability. Focus groups of participating sites should help define reasons for unexpected variation.

What Is Known: • Although previous research has shown variation in the emergency department (ED) management of febrile children, there is limited information on the use of diagnostics in European EDs. • A deeper knowledge of variability and its determinants can steer optimization of care.

What Is New: • The use of diagnostics for febrile children was highly variable across European EDs, yet patient and hospital characteristics could only partly explain inter-hospital variability. • Data on between-centre comparison offer opportunities to further explore factors influencing unwarranted variation.

Citing Articles

Emergency medical services utilisation among febrile children attending emergency departments across Europe: an observational multicentre study.

Tan C, Vermont C, Zachariasse J, von Both U, Eleftheriou I, Emonts M Eur J Pediatr. 2023; 182(9):3939-3947.

PMID: 37354239 PMC: 10570223. DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05056-3.

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