Christina M McKinney, Michelle L Mitchell, Erin Preloger, Kelly Graff, Amy Y Pan, Melodee Liegl, Glenn Bushee, Patrick J McCarthy, Vanessa McFadden, Sarah C Bauer
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
We compared the quantity of labs ordered in selected hospitalized children throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilization of X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiograms, and electrocardiograms (ECG), length of stay (LOS) and timing of antibiotics were secondary outcomes. Retrospective cohort study of patients >60 days to <22 years with cellulitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections discharged from hospital medicine March 2018 to February 2020 (pre-) March 2020 to February 2022 (peak) and March 2022 to April 2023 (post peak). Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test was performed for categorical variables. Kruskal-Wallis test compared continuous variables. Patients admitted peak pandemic incurred more labs and ECGs and fewer MRIs and X-rays. There were no differences in echocardiograms, LOS, or timing of antibiotics. While lab utilization returned to pre-pandemic levels, increased ECG use continued. Increased lab and ECG utilization was observed in patients with certain bacterial infections during the peak of the pandemic, likely reflective of diagnostic uncertainty.
期刊介绍:
Clinical Pediatrics (CLP) a peer-reviewed monthly journal, is a must read for the busy pediatrician. CLP contains state-of-the-art, accurate, concise and down-to earth information on practical, everyday child care topics whether they are clinical, scientific, behavioral, educational, or ethical.