Follow-up compliance in febrile children: a comparison of two systems.
OBJECTIVE
Follow-up compliance is critical in febrile children because they may harbor unrecognized life-threatening illnesses. This study compares follow-up rates between 2 systems: Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC), with preset appointments after ED release, and free medical care; and Fairfax Hospital (FFX), where parents must arrange follow-up appointments after ED release, and are responsible for payment for their follow-up visits. The study also investigated factors associated with follow-up compliance.


METHODS
This was a prospective, observational study of febrile children seen in 2 EDs with different systems for patient follow-up. From ED records and parental phone calls, diagnosis, follow-up compliance, and demographics were collected. Data were analyzed using logistic regression and chi2.


RESULTS
423 children met entrance criteria, and 330 parents were successfully contacted after the child's ED release (146 from WHMC; 184 from FFX). The WHMC children were more likely to comply with follow-up than were the children in the FFX system (92% vs 67% follow-up, odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.3). Other factors associated with noncompliance with recommended follow-up were: Hispanic ethnicity, non-English-speaking parents, and follow-up suggested for >24 hours after ED release. For FFX, self-pay, lack of a follow-up physician, parents' dissatisfaction with the ED medical care, and diagnosis of otitis media were also significant factors found associated with noncompliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Febrile children evaluated in a medical system with prearranged follow-up appointments and free medical care are more likely to comply with recommended follow-up than are those evaluated in a system where payment and appointments are the responsibility of the parents. Efforts should be made to improve follow-up compliance by modeling the WHMC system.
Hemphill
R R
RR
Joint Military Medical Centers, Emergency Medicine Residency, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Santen
S A
SA
Howell
J M
JM
Altieri
M F
MF
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000628:therapy*; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007348:Insurance, Health; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States; D014768:Virginia