Sample Performance Measures for Pediatric Emergency Care
| Measures . | Description . |
|---|---|
| System based | |
| Patient triage | Measurement of wt in kilograms for pediatric patients; method to identify age-based abnormal pediatric vital signs |
| Infrastructure and personnel | Presence of all recommended pediatric equipment in the ED; presence of physician and nurse coordinators for pediatric emergency care |
| Patient-centered care | Patient and/or caregiver understanding of discharge instructions |
| ED flow | Door-to-provider time; total length of stay |
| Pain management | Pain assessment and reassessment for children with acute fractures |
| Quality and safety | Number of return visits within 48 h resulting in hospitalization; medication error rates |
| Disease specific | |
| Trauma | Use of head computed tomography in children with minor head trauma; protocol for suspected child maltreatment |
| Respiratory diseases | Administration of systemic steroids for pediatric asthma exacerbations; use of an evidence-based guideline to manage bronchiolitis |
| Infectious diseases | Use of antibiotics in children with suspected viral illness |
| Measures . | Description . |
|---|---|
| System based | |
| Patient triage | Measurement of wt in kilograms for pediatric patients; method to identify age-based abnormal pediatric vital signs |
| Infrastructure and personnel | Presence of all recommended pediatric equipment in the ED; presence of physician and nurse coordinators for pediatric emergency care |
| Patient-centered care | Patient and/or caregiver understanding of discharge instructions |
| ED flow | Door-to-provider time; total length of stay |
| Pain management | Pain assessment and reassessment for children with acute fractures |
| Quality and safety | Number of return visits within 48 h resulting in hospitalization; medication error rates |
| Disease specific | |
| Trauma | Use of head computed tomography in children with minor head trauma; protocol for suspected child maltreatment |
| Respiratory diseases | Administration of systemic steroids for pediatric asthma exacerbations; use of an evidence-based guideline to manage bronchiolitis |
| Infectious diseases | Use of antibiotics in children with suspected viral illness |
Based on the work of Alessandrini E, Varadarajan K, Alpern ER, et al. Emergency department quality: an analysis of existing pediatric measures. Acad Emerg Med. 2011;18(5):519–526.