Dedicated Pediatricians in Emergency Department: Shorter Waiting Times and Lower Costs

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161149
• Publication Date: 2016-08-26T17:29:00Z
• Authors: Manuel Rocha Melo; Manuel Ferreira-M...; Filipa Flor-Lima; Mariana Rodrigues; Milton Severo; Luis Almeida-Santos; Alberto Caldas-Af...; Pedro Pita Barros; António Ferreira
• Keywords: Euros; Medical costs

Dedicated pediatricians in emergency departments (EDs) may be beneficial, though no previous studies have assessed the related costs and benefits/harms. We aimed to evaluate net benefits of dedicated a pediatric ED.Cost-consequences analysis visits ED tertiary hospital. Two Medical Teams (MT) were compared: MT-A (May-September 2012), with general pediatrics physicians only; MT-B 2013), pediatricians. The main outcomes analyzed relevant clinical outcomes, patient throughput time costs.We included 8,694 children 9,417 MT-B. Medication use increased from 42.3% 49.6% MT-B; diagnostic tests decreased 24.2% 14.3% Hospitalization 1.3% 3.0% however, there was significant difference diagnosis-related group relative weight hospitalized (MT-A, 0.979; MT-B, 1.075). No differences observed readmissions or patients leaving without being seen by physician. significantly shorter faster times first medical observation. Within cost domains analyzed, total expenditures per 16% lower MT-B: 37.87 euros MT-A; 31.97 MT-B.The presence associated waiting ED, reduced costs, similar outcomes.