Early return visits by pediatric primary care patients with otitis media: a retail nurse practitioner clinic versus standard medical office care.

PURPOSE

To compare outpatient return visits within 2 weeks experienced by pediatric patients diagnosed with otitis media using retail nurse practitioner clinics to similar patients using standard medical office clinics.

BACKGROUND

The impact of retail clinics on return visit rates has not been extensively studied.

DATA SOURCE

Electronic medical records of pediatric primary care patients seen in a large group practice in Minnesota in 2009 for otitis media.

SAMPLE

Patients seen in retail walk-in clinics staffed by nurse practitioners (N = 627) or regular office clinics (N = 2353).

OUTCOME MEASURE

A return visit to any site within 2 weeks.

RESULTS

The percentage returning was higher in standard care patients than in retail medicine patients (21.0 vs 11.2, P < .001). The odds of a return visit within 2 weeks were higher in standard care patients than in retail medicine patients after adjusting for propensity to use services, age, and gender (odds ratio = 1.54, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In this group practice, the odds of return visits within 2 weeks for pediatric patients treated for otitis media were lower in retail medicine clinics than in standard office clinics.