The appropriateness evaluation protocol: application in an Australian children's hospital.
OBJECTIVE
The study was undertaken to evaluate the use of the Paediatric Evaluation Protocol (PAEP) in the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Western Australia. A random sample of 557 patient records was reviewed using the United States Paediatric Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP).


RESULTS
Thirteen per cent of admissions and 10% of days of stay may have been medically inappropriate in the year of study. The PAEP is a useful tool for utilization review in children's hospitals in Australia and may with benefit be modified.
Formby
D J
DJ
Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Western Australia.
McMullin
N D
ND
Danagher
K
K
Oldham
D R
DR
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006744:Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000379:methods*; D014904:Western Australia