Are all children equal? An analysis of the predictive value of selected pediatric characteristics of the referral of children to pediatric home health services.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the predictive value of selected pediatric characteristics of the referral of children to pediatric home health services (PHHS). No empirical studies to date have evaluated the criteria used to determine the need for PHHS or if disparities in the referral of children to PHHS occur.


METHODS
Randomly selected hospital records of 557 children discharged from one pediatric hospital between October 1999 and September 2000 were examined. Sequential logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of being referred to PHHS based on age, race or ethnicity, number of legal guardians in the household, and the number of technological devices at discharge. Insurance was excluded as a predictor because 97% of the study sample was insured.


RESULTS
Only the number of technological devices at discharge added predictive value (chi(2)[DF = 3, N= 557]= 42.023, P<0.001) to the SLR model. There was no evidence of disparities in referral.


CONCLUSIONS
To ensure availability and equitable access to PHHS, nurses must actively participate in the discharge planning process for all children.
Petit de Mange
Elizabeth
E
Drexel University in Philadelphia, USA. eap33@drexel.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006699:Home Care Services; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies