Research Mentor Name
Dr. Elika Ridelman
Research Mentor Email Address
eridelma@dmc.org
Institution / Department
Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Michigan/Wayne State University School of Medicine
Document Type
Research Abstract
Research Type
clinicalresearch
Level of Research
no
Abstract
Introduction: Globally, the demand for pediatric emergency department (ED) visits has increased, leading to extended lengths of stay (LOS) in the ED. Prolonged ED length of stay (LOS) can delay definitive care and impact outcomes. This study investigates factors contributing to extended ED LOS in an urban, ABA-verified pediatric burn center.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of pediatric burn patients who presented between March 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024, with ED stays of ≥4 hours. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment were analyzed.
Results: Among 300 patients, the average ED LOS was 6 hours and 12 minutes. Patients arriving from outpatient burn clinics experienced longer stays (mean: 471 min) compared to injury sites (mean: 364 min, p=0.024) or ED transfers (mean: 362 min, p=0.019). Outpatient-in-bed (OPIB) dispositions were associated with longer LOS (mean: 438 min) than direct discharges home (mean: 362 min, p=0.013). Delays in triage (53 min, p<0.001), IV initiation (105 min, p<0.001), and burn nurse arrival (63 min, p<0.001) significantly correlated with prolonged LOS.
Conclusions: Extended ED LOS appears to be linked to small burns that require overnight stays to ensure appropriate consulting services and wound care teaching is performed. Other factors that contribute to an increase in ED LOS are delays in triage, IV start time, and burn resource team response. Identifying factors that affect length of stay in the ED for burn patients can help providers anticipate the patient’s expected length of stay, provide more cost-effective care, and improve patient outcomes.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Recommended Citation
Kumar, Nishant S. BS; Oag, Katherine MSN, RN, ACCNS-P, CCRN; Vitale, Lisa BSN, RN, CPN, TCRN; Malaniak, Mariah MSN, RN, CPN, CBRN; Klein, Justin MD; Ridelman, Elika PhD; and Shanti, Christina MD, "Factors Influencing Emergency Department Length of Stay in Pediatric Burn Patients" (2025). Medical Student Research Symposium. 427.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/som_srs/427
Comments
This project was supported by the Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship.