AmJGastroenterol. 2024Nov1;119(11):23382341. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000002936.Epub 2024 Jul 5.

Neal deJong ¹, Xian Zhang ², Michael Kappelman ¹

Author information

¹Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

²Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA .

Abstract

Introduction: To assess prevalence of outpatient care received before and after emergency department (ED) visits for pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: Using commercial claims, we identified patients 2-18 years old with IBD and a related ED visit (2015-2018). We identified outpatient visits in 2 weeks before and after ED visits, then used logistic regression to assess relationships between care received and patient characteristics.

Results: Forty-one percent received care in 2 weeks before an IBD-related ED visit and 51% in 2 weeks after. High-risk medications and outpatient continuity were associated with higher odds of outpatient care.

Discussion: Gaps in preceding and follow-up care signal opportunities to improve care quality.