title: Paediatric telephone triage and advice: the demand continues.
abstract: Kidsnet was established in 1997 at the Children's Hospital at Westmead as a paediatric telephone triage service. The demand for Kidsnet increased from 18 327 in 1997/98 to 22 844 in 2001/02, with an average of 1669 callers per month. Most callers were able to proceed to seeking care at a more appropriate time and were satisfied with the service provided. The service is highly valued and the advice given perceived to be accurate. Kidsnet has shown that it can play a key role in providing safe advice to families.
authors.affiliation: The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. ralphh@chw.edu.au
authors.forename: Ralph M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Bronwyn J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Exley
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: Maureen P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Petering
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.forename: Celeste J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Daniels
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015277:Hotlines / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009517:New South Wales; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014218:Triage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data