Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Diagnostic Testing Increases Chance of Hospitalization

Higher test utilization was associated with higher admission rates for patients with similar illness severity.

To assess diagnostic test utilization for pediatric pneumonia and its influence on disposition decisions, researchers retrospectively studied 100,615 otherwise healthy children (median age, 3 years) who were diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia at 1 of 36 tertiary pediatric emergency departments (EDs) during a 3-year period.

Adjusted odds of hospitalization associated with specific tests (listed in descending order of utilization) were as follows: complete blood count (CBC), odds ratio, 10.4; blood cultures, OR, 5.7; chemistries, OR, 10.3; coagulation studies, OR, 21.1; viral studies, OR, 5.6; inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), OR, 7.3; chest computed tomography scan, OR, 25.4; and chest ultr…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Diagnostic Testing Increases Chance of Hospitalization

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Reviewing Author