Does Abnormal Laboratory Results Notification with the Short Message Service Shorten Length of Stay in the Pediatric Emergency Department Observation Unit?

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A new age in communications began with the entry into use of cell phones and their applications. Cell phones and their various applications must be actively used in patient monitoring in the healthcare system. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the length of stay in the pediatric emergency department observation unit (PEDOU) based upon the notification of abnormal laboratory results (ALRs) via the short message service (SMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with ALRs notified through the SMS (April-May-June 2015 study period) were evaluated retrospectively, and those admitted to hospital after such notification were enrolled as the study group (SG). Patients presenting to the pediatric emergency department (April-May-June 2014 control period), whose ALRs were not notified through the SMS, and who were hospitalized for treatment, were enrolled as the control group (CG). Age, sex, length of stay in the PEDOU (min), admission diagnosis, and receiving department were recorded for both groups. RESULTS: Number of patients monitored in the PEDOU was 8584 during the study period and 8507 during the control period (p = 0.27). Length of stay of patients monitored in the PEDOU during the control period (n = 8507) and study period (n = 8584) was 136.4 and 133.5 min, respectively (p = 0.92). One hundred forty-seven patients were enrolled as the SG and 154 as the CG. Length of stay in the PEDOU was 221.1 ± 86.9 (65-542) min in the CG and 154.8 ± 76.6 (15-442) min in the SG (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 47.5-84.8). CONCLUSIONS: Notification of ALRs through the SMS does not affect length of stay in the PEDOU. Use of this method reduces length of stay of patients who require more rapid hospitalization.