Quadrennial review of a paediatric emergency assessment unit.

The primary aim of this article is to report on one aspect of a quadrennial study designed to explore the appropriateness and impact of the development of a paediatric emergency assessment unit (PEAU) as a response to increases in paediatric emergencies presenting to a south-western regional child health unit. In particular, this article will present the findings of a prospective audit of admissions to the PEAU over a 1-month period during the latter part of 2002. The primary method of data collection utilized a structured survey instrument developed using a design and automatic data computer software package, completed by the nursing staff. Anonymized descriptive data were obtained from 223 children admitted to the PEAU during one calendar moth and authorized by the appropriate clinical directorate audit committee as part of its ongoing commitment to the full implementation of clinical governance. The data presented primarily relate to children admitted during the official opening times of the PEAU, and those presenting out of hours. The data analysis demonstrates a reduction in the number of children staying overnight in hospital since the opening of the PEAU, with the majority of children being referred by their own family doctor. Only one child in the sample was readmitted to the PEAU within 24 hours, and two within 24 hours of discharge as inpatients. Although thought to be pertinent, only one child admitted after official closing of the PEAU and out of hours was described as being admitted for social reasons. The International Classification of Diagnosis (ICD) 10 (World Health Organization (WHO), 1994) classifications of the children admitted to the PEAU reflect those found in other similar studies. Overall, the results of this investigation demonstrate that a PEAU can offer an efficient service to GPs, families and others as a route of referral, thus mitigating unnecessary overnight stays for individual children.