Telephone-based management of lactation mastitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of care for mastitis managed by telephone without an office or emergency room visit.


METHODS
A word search of electronic medical records allowed for identification of patients managed with a mastitis clinical practice guideline. Comparisons of outcomes were made to a group of patients who received care in the clinic, urgent care or emergency room.


RESULTS
Rates of successful resolution with 1 encounter were 86% for telephone-based care and 82% for visit-based care (p = 0.550). Antibiotic selection was enhanced by use of the standing order.


CONCLUSIONS
Telephone-based management of mastitis may be safe, effective, and efficient.
Berth
Wendy L
WL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA.
Schauberger
Charles W
CW
Alvarado
Mary A
MA
Mathiason
Michelle A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D004009:Dicloxacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D008413:Mastitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013689:Telephone; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004009:Dicloxacillin