Methods: This was a prospective randomized clinical trial at a large pediatric tertiary care
center in Canada. Parents of pediatric patients were recruited from 7/1/2009 to 8/30/2009 by
research personnel after informed consent was obtained and after the ED physician
anticipated that the patient was to be discharged home. Study outcomes were not discussed
during consent. Families excluded were those that didn't have phones, those that left AMA,
and those that left without being seen. Consented families were randomized to follow-up vs …

Objectives We compare the rate of return to the emergency department (ED) within 72 hours
between families of children receiving a follow-up telephone call by a non–health care
provider asking about the child's well-being 12 hours after their visit to the ED and families
not receiving a follow-up call. Methods This was a prospective, randomized study in which
we conducted a follow-up call starting at 12 hours after discharge from the ED versus no call
for follow-up. At 96 hours after discharge, we contacted all recruited families. We recorded …