title: Emergency Department Evaluation and Management of Children With Simple Febrile Seizures.
abstract: Workup of simple febrile seizures (SFS) has changed as the American Academy of Pediatrics made revisions to practice guidelines. In 2011, revisions were made regarding need for lumbar puncture (LP) as part of the SFS workup. This study surveyed more than 100 emergency departments regarding workup of children with SFS and performed a medical record review of workup that was performed. The survey shows that laboratory workup is done routinely and LP is done infrequently. The majority documents a complete exam. The medical record review demonstrates documentation of the examination, frequent laboratory and infrequent LP evaluation. Consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics' revisions, survey and record reviews demonstrate that LP testing is infrequent. Contrary to the guideline, laboratory studies are routinely performed. This study suggests there is an opportunity to improve management of SFS by directing efforts toward finding the source of the fever and away from laboratory workup.
authors: Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA scarapet@uw.edu.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Carapetian
authors: Comer Children's Hospital, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston Hospital, Evanston, IL, USA.
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Hageman
authors: Illinois Department of Public Health, Springfield, IL, USA.
authors: Evelyn
authors: E
authors: Lyons
authors: Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Leonard
authors: The American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove Villiage, IL, USA.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Janies
authors: NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston Hospital, Evanston, IL, USA.
authors: Kent
authors: K
authors: Kelley
authors: Northwestern University Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D006753:Hospital Records; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020407:Internet; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: lumbar puncture; quality improvement; simple febrile seizure