Journals / Eurasian Journal of Critical Care / 2026 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2

One-Year Analysis of a Pediatric Emergency Department Observation Unit: Patient Characteristics, Clinical Outcomes, and Disposition Patterns

Pediatrik Acil Servis Gözlem Başvurularının Bir Yıllık Sonuçları: Retrospektif Tek Merkezli Bir Analiz

Belen Ateş(Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu Şehir Hastanesi)0000-0002-4525-8764
Sıla Zavotçu(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES)0009-0003-2644-2798
Melda Oruçoğlu(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES)0009-0005-8040-1166
Ülgen Bilge Tüfekçi(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES)0009-0006-2068-1853
Eda Işık(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES)0009-0000-5516-3120
Alper Kaçar(Department of Pediatric Emergency, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, University of Health Sciences)0000-0001-7577-5386
Adem Karbuz(Department of Pediatric Infection Diseases, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, University of Health Sciences)0000-0002-5460-3638
Pages
77–84
Publication Date
2026-08-10
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Observation units play a critical role in improving triage efficiency, reducing unnecessary admissions, and optimizing resource allocation in tertiary pediatric emergency care.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: The aim of our study is to evaluate the reasons for using pediatric emergency services, patient volume, and the rates of admission to intensive care units and inpatient wards in the pediatric emergency department observation unit.
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Key Findings & Data:Material and Methods: Data from 6,846 patients monitored in the pediatric emergency department observation unit at Prof.
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Conclusion & Impact:Observation units play a critical role in improving triage efficiency, reducing unnecessary admissions, and optimizing resource allocation in tertiary pediatric emergency care.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2023 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Çocuk · Hastane acil servis · Demografi

Abstract

Aim: The aim of our study is to evaluate the reasons for using pediatric emergency services, patient volume, and the rates of admission to intensive care units and inpatient wards in the pediatric emergency department observation unit. Material and Methods: Data from 6,846 patients monitored in the pediatric emergency department observation unit at Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital were analyzed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. The data collected included: date and time of application, age, gender, diagnosis, disease group, length of stay in observation, ward admission, intensive care unit admission, referral unit, presence of chronic conditions, medications used, discharge status, treatment refusal, and histories of previous ward and intensive care unit admissions. Results: Of the 6,846 patients, the most common diseases were respiratory (23.2%) and gastrointestinal (23.1%). Significant differences were observed between patients with prior hospitalizations (p=0.004) and those admitted to the intensive care unit (p<0.001). The relationship between younger age and longer observation duration was significant (p=0.031). Observation duration was longer in patients with previous ward admission (p = 0.004). Prior hospitalization was associated with an increased risk of ward admission (p < 0.001), while chronic illnesses were associated with an increased risk of intensive care unit admission (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Infants and males were admitted more frequently, with notable seasonal and hourly peaks. Prior hospitalization strongly predicted intensive care unit or ward admission, underscoring the value of medical history in triage. Observation units play a critical role in improving triage efficiency, reducing unnecessary admissions, and optimizing resource allocation in tertiary pediatric emergency care.

Özet

Giriş ve Amaç: Ülkemizde artan nüfusla birlikte çocuk acil servislerine başvuran hasta sayısı artmıştır. Günümüzde çocuk acilleri, acil servislere yapılan toplam başvuruların yaklaşık %30'unu oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmamızın amacı, çocuk acil servislerini kullanma nedenlerini, hasta yoğunluğunu ve yoğun bakım ünitelerine (YBÜ) ve yatan hasta servislerine yatış oranlarını değerlendirmektir. Yöntem: 1 Ocak 2023 ile 31 Aralık 2023 tarihleri arasında Prof. Dr. Cemil Tasçıoğlu Şehir Hastanesi Çocuk Acil Servisi gözlem alanında izlenen 6.846 hastanın verilerini analiz ettik. Toplanan veriler arasında; başvuru tarihi ve saati, yaş, cinsiyet, tanı, hastalık grubu, gözlemde kalış süresi, servis yatışı, yoğun bakım yatışı, sevk ünitesi, kronik hastalıkların varlığı, kullanılan ilaçlar, taburculuk durumu, tedavi reddi ve daha önce servis ve yoğun bakım yatış öyküsü yer almaktadır. Bulgular: 6.846 hastanın %55,5'i erkek, %44,5'i kızdı. En sık görülen yaş grubu bebeklik dönemiydi (%36,9; 0-2 yaş). En sık görülen hastalıklar solunum (%23,2) ve gastrointestinal sistem (%23,1) hastalıklarıydı. Hastaların %34,2'sinde hastaneye yatış, %2,0'sinde ise yoğun bakım ünitesine yatış gerçekleşti. Daha önce hastaneye yatışı olan hastalar (p=0,004) ile yoğun bakım ünitesine yatışı olan hastalar (p<0,001) arasında gözlem süresi açısından anlamlı bir fark görüldü. Daha önce servise yatış, daha kısa gözlem süresiyle sonuçlandı (p<0,001). Daha önce hastaneye yatış, servise yatış riskini artırırken (p<0,001), kronik hastalıklar yoğun bakım ünitesine yatışa neden oldu (p=0,004). Sonuç: Bu çalışmada, üçüncü basamak acil gözlem ünitesindeki pediatrik hastaların demografik ve klinik özellikleri vurgulanmaktadır. Bebekler ve erkekler daha sık hastaneye yatırılmış olup, mevsimsel ve saatlik artışlar, bakım verenlerin ulaşılabilirliğini ve viral enfeksiyon örüntülerini göstermektedir. En yaygın başvurular solunum ve gastrointestinal sistem hastalıkları ile olmaktadır. Daha önce hastaneye yatmış olmak, yoğun bakım ünitesine veya servise yatışı ihtimalini artırmakta olup, triyajda tıbbi geçmişin önemini göstermektedir. Ayrıca gözlem ünitesinde izlenen çocukların yarısından fazlası kısa süreli izlem sonrasında güvenle taburcu edilmiştir. Bu sonuçlar, pediatrik acil gözlem alanlarının triyaj verimliliğini artırmada, gereksiz yatışları azaltmada ve kaynak kullanımını optimize etmede önemli bir rol oynadığını göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Ateş, B., Zavotçu, S., Oruçoğlu, M., Tüfekçi, Ü. B., Işık, E., Kaçar, A., Karbuz, A. (2026). One-Year Analysis of a Pediatric Emergency Department Observation Unit: Patient Characteristics, Clinical Outcomes, and Disposition Patterns. Eurasian Journal of Critical Care, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2, 77–84. https://doi.org/10.55994/ejcc.1934191

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