ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Opportunity exists to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations for children with anaphylaxis given wide variation in admission rates across U.S. emergency departments (EDs). We sought to identify children hospitalized with anaphylaxis at low risk of receiving epinephrine and other acute inpatient therapies, as these patients may be candidates for ED discharge rather than inpatient hospitalization. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of children 1-21 years of age hospitalized with anaphylaxis from 2009 to 2016. Acute inpatient therapies included intramuscular (IM) or racemic epinephrine, bronchodilators, fluid boluses, vasopressors, non-invasive ventilation, or intubation. We derived age-specific (pre-verbal [<36 months] vs. verbal [≥ 36 months]) prediction rules using recursive partitioning to identify children at low risk of receiving acute inpatient therapies. RESULTS: During the study period 665 children were hospitalized for anaphylaxis, of whom 108 (16.2%) received acute inpatient therapies. The prediction rule for patients < 36 months (no wheezing, no cardiac involvement [hypotension or wide pulse pressure]) had a sensitivity of 90.5% (CI 69.6-98.8%) and a negative predictive value of 98.3% (CI 94.1-99.8%) for identifying children at low risk of receipt of acute inpatient therapies during hospitalization. For children ≥ 36 months, the prediction rule (no wheezing, no cardiac involvement, presence of gastrointestinal symptoms) had a sensitivity of 90.8% (CI 82.7-96.0%) and a negative predictive value of 92.4% (CI 85.6-96.7%). CONCLUSIONS: We derived age specific prediction rules for children hospitalized with anaphylaxis at low risk of receiving epinephrine and other acute inpatient therapies. These children may be candidates for ED discharge rather than inpatient hospitalization.
Subject(s)
Airway Management/methods , Anaphylaxis/therapy , Bronchodilator Agents/administration & dosage , Epinephrine/administration & dosage , Vasoconstrictor Agents/administration & dosage , Adolescent , Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Emergency Service, Hospital , Epinephrine/therapeutic use , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Infant , Injections, Intramuscular , Male , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , United States , Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic use , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Most children with anaphylaxis in the emergency department (ED) are hospitalized. Opportunities exist to safely reduce the hospitalization rate for children with anaphylaxis by decreasing unnecessary hospitalizations. A quality improvement (QI) intervention was conducted to improve care and reduce hospitalization rates for children with anaphylaxis. METHODS: We used the Model for Improvement and began with development and implementation in 2011 of a locally developed evidence-based guideline based on national recommendations for the management of anaphylaxis. Guideline adoption and adherence were supported by interval reminders and feedback to providers. Patients from 2008 to 2014 diagnosed with anaphylaxis were identified, and statistical process control methods were used to evaluate change in hospitalization rates over time. The balancing measure was any return visit to the ED within 72 hours. To control for secular trends, hospitalization rates for anaphylaxis at 34 US children's hospitals over the same time period were analyzed. RESULTS: Over the study period, there were 1169 visits for children with anaphylaxis, of which 731 (62%) occurred after the QI implementation. The proportion of children hospitalized decreased from 54% to 36%, with no increase in the 72-hour ED revisit rate. The hospitalization rate across 34 other US pediatric hospitals remained static at 52% over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: We safely reduced unnecessary hospitalizations for children with anaphylaxis and sustained the change over 3 years by using a QI initiative that included evidence-based guideline development and implementation, reinforced by provider reminders and structured feedback.
Subject(s)
Anaphylaxis , Hospitalization/trends , Patient Care Management/standards , Quality Improvement , Adolescent , Anaphylaxis/drug therapy , Boston , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Guideline Adherence , Humans , Male , Practice Guidelines as TopicABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that can be life threatening. We will review the most recent evidence regarding the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prevention of anaphylaxis in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Histamine and tryptase are not sufficiently accurate for the routine diagnosis of anaphylaxis, so providers should continue to rely on clinical signs. Platelet-activating factor shows some promise in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Intramuscular is the best route for epinephrine administration for children of all weights. Glucocorticoids may reduce prolonged hospitalizations for anaphylaxis. Children with anaphylaxis who have resolving symptoms and no history of asthma or previous biphasic reactions may be observed for as few as 3-4âh before emergency department discharge. Early peanut introduction reduces the risk of peanut allergy. SUMMARY: Epinephrine remains the mainstay of anaphylaxis treatment, and adjuvant medications should not be used in its place. All patients with anaphylaxis should be prescribed and trained to use an epinephrine autoinjector. Clinically important biphasic reactions are rare. Observation in the emergency department for most anaphylaxis patients is recommended, with the duration determined by risk factors. Admission is reserved for patients with unimproved or worsening symptoms, or prior biphasic reaction.
