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Lakota K. Kruse, MD, MPH1, Jonathan C. Wallace, MA, MPH2, and Charles E. Denk, Ph D2. (1) Division of Family Health Services, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, P O Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625, (609) 292-5656, lkruse@doh.state.nj.us, (2) Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, P.O. Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625-0364
BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most frequent reason for preventable hospital admissions among children. An asthma surveillance program in New Jersey funded by the CDC linked hospital records to identify children most at risk for severe asthma. Few surveillance efforts differentiate between admission and readmission rates, or examine trends for pediatric ages.
OBJECTIVES: Describe trends in pediatric asthma admission and readmission rates. Identify children at higher risk for readmission.
METHODS: Hospital discharge records (1993-2001) for pediatric patients (0 – 19 years old) in New Jersey were linked using probabilistic matching software (AUTOMATCH) to identify children with multiple asthma admissions (ICD-9 Code=493 as the primary diagnosis). Hospitalizations were categorized as an initial admission and a subsequent admission (readmission) within 180 days after a prior asthma discharge.
RESULTS: Within the linked file of pediatric admissions (n= 37,954), 5,699 (21%) of the unique children (n= 26,989) had more than one admission. 3,347 (12%) of unique children were readmitted for asthma within 180 days of a prior asthma admission. Readmission rates decline for most single year age groups. Readmission rates declined the most for Hispanics compared to white non-Hispanics, and the least for black non-Hispanics. Overall readmission rates were slightly higher for girls and declined equally for girls and boys.
IMPLICATIONS: Declining asthma readmissions suggest improvement in the management of chronic pediatric asthma. However, the lack of improvement for certain ages and smaller improvements for black children highlight the need to further examine disease severity, preventive medication use and asthma management among the high-risk groups.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Asthma, Child Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.