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Objectives:

To determine the incidence of return visits (RVs), types of RVs, and factors associated with RVs to a pediatric emergency department (ED).

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study of patients seen in an urban, tertiary care pediatric ED. Main outcome: RV within 48 hours, identified from a computerized log.

Results:

The total RV rate was 3.5%(95% confidence interval, 3.3-3.6), similar to rates (2.4% to 3.4%) reported in general EDs. Most (78.5%) RVs were unscheduled, 17% were scheduled, and 4% were called back to the ED. Infectious disease (45%), respiratory (16%), and trauma (16%) accounted for most RV diagnoses. When compared with the overall ED population, RV patients were more likely to be younger than 2 years [relative risk, 1.3 (1.2-1.4)], to be admitted to the hospital [relative risk, 1.3 (1.2-1.5)], and to be triaged as acute [relative risk, 1.1 (1.0-1.2)]. Patients called back to the ED were younger …