Prevalence of Preceding and Follow-up Outpatient Care Surrounding Emergency Department Visits for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Identifying Opportunities for Quality Improvement.

Abstract

To assess prevalence of outpatient care received before and after emergency department (ED) visits for pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Using commercial claims, we identified patients 2-18 years old with IBD and a related ED visit (2015-2018). We identified outpatient visits in 2 weeks before and after ED visits, then used logistic regression to assess relationships between care received and patient characteristics. Forty-one percent received care in 2 weeks before an IBD-related ED visit and 51% in 2 weeks after. High-risk medications and outpatient continuity were associated with higher odds of outpatient care. Gaps in preceding and follow-up care signal opportunities to improve care quality.