Audit of an urban paediatric emergency department visits

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to highlight the health seeking behavior of children in an Emergency Department (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective files review of ED was done for the month of July, 2008. Data about the children ≤12 years of age was gathered. RESULTS: In one month period a total 21000 patients visited our ED, out of them 6120 (29%) were children. Males, Saudis and children of (1-6 years) were more frequent, i.e., 3540 (57.8%), 5760 (94.1%) and 3180 (52%), respectively. Majority of patients visited in shift “2”, i.e., 15:30 hours to 23:30 hours. Among the patients “diseases of respiratory system” were found more frequent 4170 (68.1%) and main diagnosis was “acute upper respiratory tract infection” 3300 (53.9%). Non-urgent cases were 2020 (33%) while 244 (4%) were admitted. CONCLUSION: Young children as well as non-urgent cases were predominant. Evening shift was the busiest one.