Faculty Collaboration Database

Urban Wisconsin pediatric patients using an after-hours telephone triage service: outcomes and compliance. WMJ 2001;100(5):55-8

Date

10/03/2001

Pubmed ID

11579802

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0034829547 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   8 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the ability of a telephone triage service (TTS) to assess illness acuity of and patient compliance with advice given.

DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study.

PATIENTS: Patients of an urban, academic, pediatric clinic whose parents or caregivers called the TTS between July 23, 1997 and August 23, 1997.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient outcomes and visit information at related medical encounters subsequent to a TTS call.

RESULTS: Patients were primarily African-American, under age 5, enrolled in a Medicaid HMO, and most often called for fever, HMO authorization, or asthma. Homecare and PED referrals were the two most frequent dispositions; overall compliance rate was 60%. No patient referred for non-emergent care required care on an urgent or emergent basis.

CONCLUSIONS: Initial results suggest that the TTS can effectively evaluate illness acuity in an urban population and compliance with advice is reasonable. A TTS may offer significant benefits to ensure care quality and contain costs in this population.

Author List

Frisbee SJ, Malloy M, Meurer JR, Kuhagen KA, Kini NM

Author

John R. Meurer MD, MBA Institute Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Ambulatory Care
Child, Preschool
Data Collection
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
Night Care
Patient Compliance
Pediatric Nursing
Program Evaluation
Referral and Consultation
Retrospective Studies
Telephone
Triage
Urban Population
Wisconsin