Oral enteral nutrition in the emergency department for children with bronchiolitis hospitalized on high flow nasal cannula.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed whether initiation of oral enteral nutrition in the emergency department (ED) for patients with bronchiolitis hospitalized on humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHFNC) was associated with a shorter hospital length of stay (LOS) without an increase in return ED visits or hospital readmissions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included children ≤24 months of age with bronchiolitis hospitalized to the general pediatric floor on HHFNC in two time periods: October 1, 2018 - April 30, 2019, and following implementation of a revised institutional bronchiolitis pathway that encouraged enteral nutrition initiation in the ED, October 1, 2021 - April 30, 2022. The primary outcome of interest was hospital LOS where the exposure was enteral feeding in the ED. RESULTS: We included 391 'fed', 114 'not fed' and 304 'unknown' patients. HHFNC treatment time (25 h for 'fed' vs. 43 h for 'not fed' vs. 35 h for'unknown', p = 0.0001) and hospital LOS (39 h for 'fed' vs. 56 h for 'not fed' vs. 48 h for 'unknown', p = 0.0001) was shorter in the 'fed' group. There were no significant differences in return ED visits or hospital readmissions. Using our median LOS (45.1 h, inter-quartile range 30.2, 64.4 h) while controlling for age, sex, initial HHFNC flow rate, the respiratory oxygenation (ROX) index, viral etiology, and time period, an adjusted logistic regression analysis demonstrated that patients fed in the ED were 1.8 times more likely to have a hospital LOS of <45 h (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.11-3.18, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of oral enteral nutrition in the ED for patients with bronchiolitis on HHFNC is associated with a shorter hospital LOS without an increase in return ED visits or hospital readmissions. Future prospective studies are needed to develop feeding recommendations for children with bronchiolitis receiving HHFNC support.

Resource Utilization for Pediatric Patients Discharged After Interhospital Transfer.

BACKGROUND: Transfers to a pediatric emergency department (ED) with subsequent discharge home should be optimized. Transfers to a pediatric ED (PED) from community and academic general EDs are compared with a focus upon subsequent resource utilization with the PED to identify patterns of resource and education needs within general EDs. METHODS: Patients younger than 21 years transferred to a PED from general EDs over a 1-year period and discharged home were retrospectively reviewed. The referring institutions were categorized as academic or community. Demographic and clinical variables reflecting PED care were abstracted and referrals from the academic and community institutions were compared. RESULTS: Among 5675 interfacility transfers, 1603 (28.2%) were discharged home from the PED. Most patients were transferred from a community ED (n = 1081, 67.4%). Laboratory testing, ancillary studies, and medication administration did not differ between patients transferred from an academic or community ED. Patients from a community ED were more likely to have a procedure performed (44% vs 39%, P = 0.04). Patients from a community ED were also more likely to have high resource utilization in the PED (61% vs 55%, P = 0.03). DISCUSSION: Most children transferred to a PED from a general ED required few resources in the PED before discharge home. The pattern of care delivered in the PED differed by the designation of the transferring ED providing insight into the differential educational and resource needs of general EDs in caring for pediatric patients.

Factors Associated With Parental Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination: A Multicenter Pediatric Emergency Department Cross-Sectional Analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: During the delta surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, we sought to identify characteristics and beliefs associated with COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in parents of pediatric emergency department (ED) patients. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey-based study of the parents of children aged 3 to 16 years presenting to 1 of 9 pediatric EDs from June to August 2021 to assess the parental acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines. Using multiple variable regression, we ascertained which factors were associated with parental and pediatric COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. RESULTS: Of 1,491 parents approached, 1,298 (87%) participated, of whom 50% of the parents and 27% of their children aged 12 years or older and older were vaccinated. Characteristics associated with parental COVID-19 vaccination were trust in scientists (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.65 to 7.15), recent influenza vaccination (aOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.98 to 3.58), college degree (aOR 1.97, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.85), increasing parental age (aOR 1.80, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.22), a friend or family member hospitalized because of COVID-19 (aOR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.72), and higher income (aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.00). Characteristics associated with pediatric COVID-19 vaccination (children aged ≥12 years) or intended COVID-19 pediatric vaccination, once approved for use, (children aged <12 years) were parental trust in scientists (aOR 5.37, 95% CI 3.65 to 7.88), recent influenza vaccination (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.77), trust in the media (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.37), parental college degree (aOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.20), and increasing parental age (aOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.57). CONCLUSION: Overall COVID-19 vaccination acceptance was low. Trust in scientists had the strongest association with parental COVID-19 vaccine acceptance for both themselves and their children.

Clinical factors associated with the use of dexamethasone for asthma in the pediatric emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone is efficacious for the treatment of pediatric asthma exacerbations but is not specifically recommended by current national guidelines. OBJECTIVES: To describe the factors associated with prescribed dexamethasone in a pediatric emergency department (PED) and upon patient discharge. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients aged 2 to 18 years discharged home from a PED with a diagnostic code for asthma (J45x). Descriptive statistics are reported and binary logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to examine the demographic and clinical factors associated with dexamethasone use in the PED and upon discharge. RESULTS: 594 children contributed 690 visits for asthma. Two-thirds of patients received prednisone in the PED (n = 430; 62%). Among 260 children who received dexamethasone, 76% (n = 198) were prescribed a second dose for post-discharge administration. Multivariable models showed that patients triaged as most urgent had a 50% reduction in the odds of receiving dexamethasone in the PED (OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.28-0.87). Patients seen by a pediatrician (OR 4.2; 95%CI 2.1-8.3) and those triaged as urgent (OR 2.9; 95% CI = 1.8-7.8) were more likely to receive a single dose of dexamethasone. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone is less commonly used in the PED for asthmatic patients triaged as most urgent. Triage acuity and level of training were associated with single-dose treatment of asthma in those receiving dexamethasone. Further studies are needed to clarify the use of dexamethasone across the spectrum of asthma severity.

Early versus delayed administration of intravenous magnesium sulfate for pediatric asthma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe and examine the factors associated with the early administration of intravenous magnesium sulfate (IV Mg) in children presenting to the pediatric emergency department (ED) for an asthma exacerbation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of children aged 5-11 years who received IV Mg in the pediatric ED between September 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019 for management of an asthma exacerbation. Primary outcome was administration of IV Mg in ≤60 min from ED triage ('early administration'). Comparison of clinical management and therapies in children who received early versus delayed IV Mg and the factors associated with early administration of IV Mg were examined. RESULTS: Early (n = 90; 31.6%) IV Mg was associated with more timely bronchodilators (47 versus 68 min; p ≤ 0.001) and systemic corticosteroids (36 versus 46.5 min; p ≤ 0.001). There was no difference between the two cohorts in returns to the ED within 72 h (1.1% versus 2.1%; p = .99) or readmissions within 1 week one week (2.2% versus 0.5%; p = .2). Hypoxia (aOR = 3.76; 95% CI = 2.02-7.1), respiratory rate (aOR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.02-1.07), retractions (aOR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.25-3.94), and prior hospital use for asthma-related complaints (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.16-3.84) were significantly associated with early IV Mg. CONCLUSIONS: Early administration of IV Mg was associated with more timely delivery of first-line asthma therapies, was safe, and improved ED throughput without increasing return ED visits or hospitalizations for asthma.

A Rare But Important Entity: Epistaxis in Infants.

BACKGROUND: Epistaxis is a common emergency department (ED) complaint; however, this entity is rare among children younger than 2 years of age. In this age group, epistaxis may be a presenting sign of a bleeding disorder or nonaccidental trauma. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 2-month-old infant who was evaluated in the pediatric ED for epistaxis and discharged home. The infant returned 2 days later with facial swelling and irritability, and was found to have significant head trauma. In this article we review the epidemiology and differential diagnoses for epistaxis among infants, as well as the initial approach to the evaluation of this uncommon clinical entity in this age group. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Potential etiologies for epistaxis among infants and young children include severe systemic disease and nonaccidental trauma. Given its rarity and possible clinical significance, the approach to epistaxis differs in this age group. Emergency physicians should screen for and exclude a bleeding disorder while also having a very low threshold for a nonaccidental trauma evaluation.

Epidemiology of brief resolved unexplained events and impact of clinical practice guidelines in general and pediatric emergency departments.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs) and compare the impact of a national clinical practice guideline (CPG) on admission and diagnostic testing practices between general and pediatric emergency departments (EDs). METHODS: Using the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample for 2012-2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study of children <1 year of age with an International Classification of Diseases diagnostic code for BRUE. Population incidence rate was estimated using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention birth data. ED incidence rate was estimated for all ED encounters. We used interrupted time series to evaluate the associated impact of the CPG publication on the outcomes of ED disposition (discharge, admission, and transfer) and electrocardiogram (ECG) use. RESULTS: Of 133,972 encounters for BRUE, 80.0% occurred in general EDs. BRUE population incidence was 4.28 per 1000 live births and the annual incidence remained stable (p = 0.19). BRUE ED incidence was 5.06 per 1000 infant ED encounters (p = 0.14). The impact of the BRUE CPG on admission rates was limited to pediatric EDs (level shift -23.3%, p = 0.002). Transfers from general EDs did not change with the CPG (level shift 2.2%, p = 0.17). After the CPG was published, ECGs increased by 13.7% in pediatric EDs (p = 0.005) but did not change in general EDs (level shift -0.2%, p = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: BRUEs remain a common pediatric problem at a population level and in EDs. Although a disproportionate number of infants present to general EDs, there is differential uptake of the CPG recommendations between pediatric and general EDs. These findings may support quality improvement opportunities aimed at improving care for these infants and decreasing unnecessary hospital admissions or transfers.

Learning From a National Quality Improvement Collaborative for Brief Resolved Unexplained Events.

OBJECTIVE: In 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics published the Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (BRUE) Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG). A multicenter quality improvement (QI) collaborative aimed to improve CPG adherence. METHODS: A QI collaborative of 15 hospitals aimed to improve testing adherence, the hospitalization of lower-risk infants, the correct use of diagnostic criteria, and risk classification. Interventions included CPG education, documentation practices, clinical pathways, and electronic medical record integration. By using medical record review, care of emergency department (ED) and inpatient patients meeting BRUE criteria was displayed via control or run charts for 3 time periods: pre-CPG publication (October 2015 to June 2016), post-CPG publication (July 2016 to September 2018), and collaborative (April 2019 to June 2020). Collaborative learning was used to identify and mitigate barriers to iterative improvement. RESULTS: A total of 1756 infants met BRUE criteria. After CPG publication, testing adherence improved from 56% to 64% and hospitalization decreased from 49% to 27% for lower-risk infants, but additional improvements were not demonstrated during the collaborative period. During the collaborative period, correct risk classification for hospitalized infants improved from 26% to 49% (ED) and 15% to 33% (inpatient) and the documentation of BRUE risk factors for hospitalized infants improved from 84% to 91% (ED). CONCLUSIONS: A national BRUE QI collaborative enhanced BRUE-related hospital outcomes and processes. Sites did not improve testing and hospitalization beyond the gains made after CPG publication, but they did shift the BRUE definition and risk classification. The incorporation of caregiver perspectives and the use of shared decision-making tools may further improve care.

Diagnostic testing for and detection of physical abuse in infants with brief resolved unexplained events.

BACKGROUND: A Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (BRUE) can be a sign of occult physical abuse. OBJECTIVES: To identify rates of diagnostic testing able to detect physical abuse (head imaging, skeletal survey, and liver transaminases) at BRUE presentation. The secondary objective was to estimate the rate of physical abuse diagnosed at initial BRUE presentation through 1 year of age. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Infants who presented with a BRUE at one of 15 academic or community hospitals were followed from initial BRUE presentation until 1 year of age for BRUE recurrence or revisits. METHODS: This study was part of the BRUE Research and Quality Improvement Network, a multicenter retrospective cohort examining infants with BRUE. Generalized estimating equations assessed associations with performance of diagnostic testing (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)). RESULTS: Of the 2036 infants presenting with a BRUE, 6.2 % underwent head imaging, 7.0 % skeletal survey, and 12.1 % liver transaminases. Infants were more likely to undergo skeletal survey if there were physical examination findings concerning for trauma (aOR 8.23, 95 % CI [1.92, 35.24], p < 0.005) or concerning social history (aOR 1.89, 95 % CI [1.13, 3.16], p = 0.015). There were 7 (0.3 %) infants diagnosed with physical abuse: one at BRUE presentation, one <3 days after BRUE presentation, and five >30 days after BRUE presentation. CONCLUSION: There were low rates of diagnostic testing and physical abuse identified in infants presenting with BRUE. Further study including standardized testing protocols is warranted to identify physical abuse in infants presenting with a BRUE.

Impact of a hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine mandate on parental likelihood to vaccinate children: Exploring school-related concerns and vaccination decision-making.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the impact of a hypothetical school-entry COVID-19 vaccine mandate on parental likelihood to vaccinate their child. METHODS: We collected demographics, COVID-19-related school concerns, and parental likelihood to vaccinate their child from parents of patients aged 3-16 years seen across nine pediatric Emergency Departments from 06/07/2021 to 08/13/2021. Wilcoxon signed-rank test compared pre- and post-mandate vaccination likelihood. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses explored associations between parental concerns with baseline and change in vaccination likelihood, respectively. RESULTS: Vaccination likelihood increased from 43% to 50% with a hypothetical vaccine mandate (Z = -6.69, p < 0.001), although most parents (63%) had no change, while 26% increased and 11% decreased their vaccination likelihood. Parent concerns about their child contracting COVID-19 was associated with greater baseline vaccination likelihood. No single school-related concern explained the increased vaccination likelihood with a mandate. CONCLUSION: Parental school-related concerns did not drive changes in likelihood to vaccinate with a mandate.

Diagnostic testing for evaluation of brief resolved unexplained events.

BACKGROUND: Since the publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical practice guideline for brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs), a few small, single-center studies have suggested low yield of diagnostic testing in infants presenting with such an event. We conducted this large retrospective multicenter study to determine the role of diagnostic testing in leading to a confirmatory diagnosis in BRUE patients. METHODS: Secondary analysis from a large multicenter cohort derived from 15 hospitals participating in the BRUE Quality Improvement and Research Collaborative. The study subjects were infants < 1 year of age presenting with a BRUE to the emergency departments (EDs) of these hospitals between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2018. Potential BRUE cases were identified using a validated algorithm that relies on administrative data. Chart review was conducted to confirm study inclusion/exclusion, AAP risk criteria, final diagnosis, and contribution of test results. Findings were stratified by ED or hospital discharge and AAP risk criteria. For each patient, we identified whether any diagnostic test contributed to the final diagnosis. We distinguished true (contributory) results from false-positive results. RESULTS: Of 2036 patients meeting study criteria, 63.2% were hospitalized, 87.1% qualified as AAP higher risk, and 45.3% received an explanatory diagnosis. Overall, a laboratory test, imaging, or an ancillary test supported the final diagnosis in 3.2% (65/2036, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7%-4.4%) of patients. Out of 5163 diagnostic tests overall, 1.1% (33/2897, 95% CI 0.8%-1.5%) laboratory tests and 1.5% (33/2266, 95% CI 1.0%-1.9%) of imaging and ancillary studies contributed to a diagnosis. Although 861 electrocardiograms were performed, no new cardiac diagnoses were identified during the index visit. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic testing to explain BRUE including for those with AAP higher risk criteria is low yield and rarely contributes to an explanation. Future research is needed to evaluate the role of testing in more specific, at-risk populations.

Impact of the AAP Guideline on Management of Brief Resolved Unexplained Events.

OBJECTIVES: In May 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a clinical practice guideline (CPG) defining apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) as brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs) and recommending risk-based management. We analyzed the association of CPG publication on admission rate, diagnostic testing, treatment, cost, length of stay (LOS), and revisits in patients with BRUE. METHODS: Using the Pediatric Health Information Systems database, we studied patients discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of ALTE/BRUE from January 2012 to December 2019. We grouped encounters into 2 time cohorts on the basis of discharge date: preguideline (January 2012-January 2016) and postguideline (July 2016-December 2019). We used interrupted time series to test if the CPG publication was associated with level change and change in slope for each metric. RESULTS: The study included 27 941 hospitalizations for ALTE/BRUE from 36 hospitals. There was an early decrease in 12 diagnostic tests that the CPG strongly recommended against. There was a positive change in the use of electrocardiogram (+3.5%, P < .001), which is recommended by CPG. There was a significant reduction in admissions (-13.7%, P < .001), utilization of medications (-8.3%, P < .001), cost (-$1146.8, P < .001), and LOS (-0.2 days, P < .001), without a change in the revisit rates. In the postguideline period, there were an estimated 2678 admissions avoided out of 12 508 encounters. CONCLUSIONS: Publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics BRUE CPG was associated with substantial reductions in testing, utilization of medications, admission rates, cost, and LOS, without a change in the revisit rates.

Influenza vaccination coverage among an urban pediatric asthma population: Implications for population health.

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children. Children with asthma are at high risk for complications from influenza; however annual influenza vaccination rates for this population are suboptimal. The overall aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of a high-risk population of children with asthma presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department according to influenza vaccination status. METHODS: The study was a retrospective chart review of 4355 patients aged 2 to 18 years evaluated in a Michigan pediatric emergency department (PED) between November 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018 with an ICD-10-CM code for asthma (J45.x). Eligible patient PED records were matched with influenza vaccination records for the 2017-2018 influenza season from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Geospatial analysis was employed to examine the distribution of influenza vaccination status. RESULTS: 1049 patients (30.9%) with asthma seen in the PED had received an influenza vaccine. Influenza vaccination coverage varied by Census Tract, ranging from 10% to >99%. Most vaccines were administered in a primary care setting (84.3%) and were covered by public insurance (76.8%). The influenza vaccination rate was lowest for children aged 5-11 years (30.0%) and vaccination status was associated with race (p<0.001) and insurance type (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Identification of neighborhood Census Tract and demographic groups with suboptimal influenza vaccination could guide development of targeted public health interventions to improve vaccination rates in high-risk patients. Given the morbidity and mortality associated with pediatric asthma, a data-driven approach may improve outcomes and reduce healthcare-associated costs for this pediatric population.

Characteristics of Adult Rapid Response Events in a Freestanding Children's Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To describe nonhospitalized adult rapid response events (adult RREs) in a freestanding children's hospital and examine the relationship between various demographic and clinical factors with the final patient disposition. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records for nonhospitalized patients ≥18 years of age from events that occurred in a freestanding pediatric hospital between January 2011 through December 2020. We examined the relationship between adult RREs and patient demographic information, medical history, interventions, and patient disposition following an adult RRE. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-nine events met inclusion criteria for analysis. Most events (69%) occurred in females, 49% of events occurred in family members of patients, and 47% occurred on inpatient floor and ICU areas. The most common presenting complaint was syncope or dizziness (36%). Delivery of bad news or grief response was associated with 14% of adult RREs. Overall, 46% (n = 196) of patients were transferred to the pediatric emergency department (ED). Patients requiring acute intervention or with cardiac or neurologic past medical histories were more likely to be transferred to the pediatric ED. Acute advanced cardiac life support interventions were infrequent but, of the patients taken to the pediatric ED, 1 died, and 3 were admitted to the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Adult RREs are common in freestanding children's hospitals and, although rare, some patients required critical care. Expertise in adult critical care management should be available to the rapid response team and additional training for the pediatric rapid response team in caring for adult nonpatients may be warranted.

Impact of COVID-19 on the associated complications of high-risk conditions in a statewide pediatric emergency network.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the volume and epidemiology of pediatric emergency department (ED) visits. We aimed to determine the rate of associated complications for 16 high-risk conditions in a Michigan statewide network of academic and community EDs during the pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of pediatric ED visits among a network of 5 Michigan health systems during the pre-pandemic (March 1, 2019-March 10, 2020) and pandemic (March 11, 2020-March 31, 2021) periods. Data were collected from the medical record and included patient demographics, ED visit characteristics, procedure codes, and final International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. Selection of codes for 16 high-risk conditions and diagnostic complications were identified using previously described methods. Characteristics of ED visits were compared before versus during the pandemic using χ2 and Fisher's exact tests. We used multilevel logistic regression to analyze covariates and potential confounders for being diagnosed with a high-risk condition or a complication of a high-risk condition. Results: A total of 417,038 pediatric ED visits were analyzed. The proportion of patients presenting with 10 of 16 high-risk conditions (including appendicitis, sepsis, and stroke) was higher in the pandemic period compared with pre-pandemic (P < 0.01). Despite this, there was no significant increase in the frequency of complications for any of the 16 high-risk conditions during the pandemic. The adjusted odds of being diagnosed with appendicitis (pre-pandemic 0.23% vs pandemic 0.52%; odds ratio [OR], 1.19 [95% confidence interval, CI, 1.00-1.41]), diabetic ketoacidosis (pre-pandemic 0.16% vs pandemic 0.52%; OR, 2.40 [95% CI, 2.07-2.78]), intussusception (pre-pandemic 0.05% vs pandemic 0.07%; OR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.22-2.21)], and testicular torsion (pre-pandemic 0.10% vs pandemic 0.14%; OR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.18-2.28]) was higher during the pandemic. Conclusions: Despite a higher proportion of ED visits attributed to high-risk conditions, there was no increase in complications, suggesting minimal impact of the pandemic on outcomes of pediatric ED visits.

Injury-Related Pediatric Emergency Department Visits in the First Year of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology of pediatric injury-related visits to children's hospital emergency departments (EDs) in the United States during early and later periods of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Pediatric Health Information System, an administrative database to identify injury-related ED visits at 41 United States children's hospitals during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period (March 15, 2020 to March 14, 2021) and a 3 year comparator period (March 15-March 14, 2017-2020). For these 2 periods, we compared patient characteristics, injury type and severity, primary discharge diagnoses, and disposition, stratified by early (March 15, 2020 to June 30, 2020), middle (July 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020), and late (November 1, 2020 to March 14, 2021) pandemic periods. RESULTS: Overall, ED injury-related visits decreased by 26.6% during the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with the largest decline observed in minor injuries. ED injury-related visits resulting in serious-critical injuries increased across the pandemic (15.9% early, 4.9% middle, 20.6% late). Injury patterns with the sharpest relative declines included superficial injuries (41.7% early) and sprains/strains (62.4% early). Mechanisms of injury with the greatest relative increases included (1) firearms (22.9% early; 42.8% middle; 37% late), (2) pedal cyclists (60.4%; 24.9%; 32.2%), (3) other transportation (20.8%; 25.3%; 17.9%), and (4) suffocation/asphyxiation (21.4%; 20.2%; 28.4%) and injuries because of suicide intent (-16.2%, 19.9%, 21.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric injury-related ED visits declined in general. However, there was a relative increase in injuries with the highest severity, which warrants further investigation.

Child Opportunity Index and Changes in Pediatric Acute Care Utilization in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric acute care utilization decreased dramatically during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study examined the association between the Child Opportunity Index (COI), a multidimensional neighborhood measure of childhood opportunity, and changes in acute care utilization at US pediatric hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the previous 3 years. METHODS: This observational study used administrative data across 41 US-based pediatric hospitals. Children aged 0 to 17 years with emergency department (ED) encounters during the study period were included. The COVID-19 pandemic time period (March 15, 2020-March 14, 2021) was the primary exposure. The primary outcome was the relative volume drop in ED encounters and observation/inpatient admissions through the ED by COI quintile. RESULTS: Of 12 138 750 encounters, 3 705 320 (30.5%) were among the very low COI quintile. Overall, there was a 46.8% relative volume reduction in the pandemic period compared with the prepandmic period. This drop in volume occurred disproportionately among the very low COI quintile (51.1%) compared with the very high COI quintile (42.8%). The majority of clinical diagnosis groups demonstrated larger relative volume drops among the very low COI quintile. CONCLUSIONS: Acute care utilization decreased the most among children from very low COI neighborhoods, narrowing previously described acute care utilization disparities. Additional study of patient perspectives on health care needs and access during this period is required to understand these changes.

Pediatrician Perspectives on Brief Resolved Unexplained Events.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective with this study was to describe pediatric emergency department (ED) physicians' perspective on the evaluation and management of brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs) to help support the development of quality improvement interventions for this population. METHODS: We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews with pediatric ED providers who practice in a single state. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed and demographic information was also obtained. The 6-phase approach to reflexive thematic analysis was used to conduct the qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Nineteen pediatric ED physicians practicing in 4 institutions across our state participated in the study. The majority of participants (95%) practice in a university-affiliated setting. The primary themes related to providing care for patients with a BRUE identified in our analysis were (1) reassurance, (2) caregiver or provider concern, and (3) clinical practice guideline availability and interpretation. Closely intertwined underlying topics informing BRUE patient management were also noted: (1) ambiguity in the BRUE diagnosis and its management; (2) a need for shared decision-making between the caregiver and the provider; and (3) concern over the increased time spent with caregivers during an ED visit for a diagnosis of BRUE. These complex relationships were found to influence patient evaluation and disposition. CONCLUSION: Multifaceted quality improvement interventions should address caregiver and provider concerns regarding the diagnosis of BRUE while providing decision aids to support shared decision-making with caregivers.