Canadian Pediatric Emergency Departments Research Articles

Non-suicidal self-injury at a Canadian paediatric emergency department.

Our primary objective was to determine agreement between non-suicidal self-injury recorded at triage and during subsequent mental health assessment. The secondary objective was to describe patients who reported non-suicidal self-injury. This is a health records review of patients aged 12-18years who had an Emergency Mental Health Triage form on their health record from an ED visit June 1, 2017-May 31, 2018. We excluded patients with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. We abstracted data from the Mental Health Triage form, Emergency Mental Health and Addictions Service Assessment forms and Assessment of Suicide and Risk Inventory. We calculated Cohen's Kappa coefficient, sensitivity, and negative predictive value to describe the extent to which the forms agreed and the performance of triage for identifying non-suicidal self-injury. We compared the cohort who reported non-suicidal self-injury with those who did not, using t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests. We screened 955 ED visits and included 914 ED visits where 558 (58.4%) reported a history of non-suicidal self-injury. There were significantly more females in the group reporting non-suicidal self-injury (82.1%, n = 458) compared to the group not reporting non-suicidal self-injury (45.8%, n = 163). Patients reporting non-suicidal self-injury did so in triage and detailed Mental Health Assessment 64.7% of the time (Cohen's Kappa Coefficient 0.6); triage had sensitivity of 71.5% (95% CI 67.3-75.4) and negative predictive value of 71.2% (95% CI 68.2-74.0). Cutting was the most common method of non-suicidal self-injury (80.3%). Screening at triage was moderately effective in identifying non-suicidal self-injury compared to a detailed assessment by a specialised mental health team. More than half of children and adolescents with a mental health-related concern in our ED reported a history of non-suicidal self-injury, most of which were female. This symptom is important for delineating patients' coping strategies.

Optimal Volume of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Postconcussion in Children and Adolescents

Determining the optimal volume of early moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) after concussion and its association with subsequent symptom burden is important for early postinjury management recommendations. To investigate the association between cumulative MVPA (cMVPA) over 2 weeks and subsequent symptom burden at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks postinjury in children and examine the association between cMVPA and odds of persisting symptoms after concussion (PSAC) at 2 weeks and 4 weeks postinjury. This multicenter cohort study used data from a randomized clinical trial that was conducted from March 2017 to December 2019 at 3 Canadian pediatric emergency departments in participants aged 10.00 to 17.99 years with acute concussion of less than 48 hours. Data were analyzed from July 2022 to December 2023. cMVPA postinjury was measured with accelerometers worn on the waist for 24 hours per day for 13 days postinjury, with measurements deemed valid if participants had 4 or more days of accelerometer data and 3 or fewer consecutive days of missing data. cMVPA at 1 week and 2 weeks postinjury was defined as cMVPA for 7 days and 13 days postinjury, respectively. Multiple imputations were carried out on missing MVPA days. Self-reported postconcussion symptom burden at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks postinjury using the Health and Behavior Inventory (HBI). PSAC was defined as reliable change on the HBI. A linear mixed-effect model was used for symptom burden at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks postinjury with a time × cMVPA interaction. Logistic regressions assessed the association between cMVPA and PSAC. All models were adjusted for prognostically important variables. In this study, 267 of 456 children (119 [44.6%] female; median [IQR] age, 12.9 [11.5 to 14.4] years) were included in the analysis. Participants with greater cMVPA had significantly lower HBI scores at 1 week (75th percentile [258.5 minutes] vs 25th percentile [90.0 minutes]; difference, -5.45 [95% CI, -7.67 to -3.24]) and 2 weeks postinjury (75th percentile [565.0 minutes] vs 25th percentile [237.0 minutes]; difference, -2.85 [95% CI, -4.74 to -0.97]) but not at 4 weeks postinjury (75th percentile [565.0 minutes] vs 25th percentile [237.0 minutes]; difference, -1.24 [95% CI, -3.13 to 0.64]) (P = .20). Symptom burden was not lower beyond the 75th percentile for cMVPA at 1 week or 2 weeks postinjury (1 week, 259 minutes; 2 weeks, 565 minutes) of cMVPA. The odds ratio for the association between 75th and 25th percentile of cMVPA and PSAC was 0.48 (95% CI, 0.24 to 0.94) at 2 weeks. In children and adolescents with acute concussion, 259 minutes of cMVPA during the first week postinjury and 565 minutes of cMVPA during the second week postinjury were associated with lower symptom burden at 1 week and 2 weeks postinjury. At 2 weeks postinjury, higher cMVPA volume was associated with 48% reduced odds of PSAC compared with lower cMVPA volume.

Post–COVID-19 Condition in Children 6 and 12 Months After Infection

There is a need to understand the long-term outcomes among children infected with SARS-CoV-2. To quantify the prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) among children tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). Multicenter, prospective cohort study at 14 Canadian tertiary pediatric EDs that are members of the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada network with 90-day, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. Participants were children younger than 18 years who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection between August 2020 and February 2022. Data were analyzed from May to November 2023. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at or within 14 days of the index ED visit. Presence of symptoms and QoL reductions that meet the PCC definition. This includes any symptom with onset within 3 months of infection that is ongoing at the time of follow-up and affects everyday functioning. The outcome was quantified at 6 and 12 months following the index ED visit. Among the 5147 children at 6 months (1152 with SARS-CoV-2 positive tests and 3995 with negative tests) and 5563 children at 12 months (1192 with SARS-CoV-2 positive tests and 4371 with negative tests) who had sufficient data regarding the primary outcome to enable PCC classification, the median (IQR) age was 2.0 (0.9-5.0) years, and 2956 of 5563 (53.1%) were male. At 6-month follow-up, symptoms and QoL changes consistent with the PCC definition were present in 6 of 1152 children with positive SARS-CoV-2 tests (0.52%) and 4 of 3995 children with negative SARS-CoV-2 tests (0.10%; absolute risk difference, 0.42%; 95% CI, 0.02% to 0.94%). The PCC definition was met at 12 months by 8 of 1192 children with positive SARS-CoV-2 tests (0.67%) and 7 of 4371 children with negative SARS-CoV-2 tests (0.16%; absolute risk difference, 0.51%; 95% CI, 0.06 to 1.08%). At 12 months, the median (IQR) PedsQL Generic Core Scale scores were 98.4 (90.0-100) among children with positive SARS-CoV-2 tests and 98.8 (91.7-100) among children with negative SARS-CoV-2 tests (difference, -0.3; 95% CI, -1.5 to 0.8; P = .56). Among the 8 children with SARS-CoV-2 positive tests and PCC at 12-month follow-up, children reported respiratory (7 of 8 patients [88%]), systemic (3 of 8 patients [38%]), and neurologic (1 of 8 patients [13%]) symptoms. In this cohort study of children tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canadian pediatric EDs, although children infected with SARS-CoV-2 reported increased chronic symptoms, few of these children developed PCC, and overall QoL did not differ from children with negative SARS-CoV-2 tests.

Family caregivers' emotional and communication needs in Canadian pediatric emergency departments.

To describe the extent to which caregivers' emotional and communication needs were met during pediatric emergency department (PED) visits. Secondary objectives included describing the association of caregiver emotional needs, satisfaction with care, and comfort in caring for their child's illness at the time of discharge with demographic characteristics, caregiver experiences, and ED visit details. Electronic surveys with medical record review were deployed at ten Canadian PEDs from October 2018 -March 2020. A convenience sample of families with children <18 years presenting to a PED were enrolled, for one week every three months, for one year per site. Caregivers completed one in-PED survey and a follow-up survey, up to seven days post-visit. This study recruited 2005 caregivers who self-identified as mothers (74.3%, 1462/1969); mean age was 37.8 years (SD 7.7). 71.7% (1081/1507) of caregivers felt their emotional needs were met. 86.4% (1293/1496) identified communication with the doctor as good/very good and 83.4% (1249/1498) with their child's nurse. Caregiver involvement in their child's care was reported as good/very good 85.6% (1271/1485) of the time. 81.8% (1074/1313) of caregivers felt comfortable in caring for their child at home at the time of discharge. Lower caregiver anxiety scores, caregiver involvement in their child's care, satisfactory updates, and having questions adequately addressed positively impacted caregiver emotional needs and increased caregiver comfort in caring for their child's illness at home. Approximately 30% of caregivers presenting to PEDs have unmet emotional needs, over 15% had unmet communication needs, and 15% felt inadequately involved in their child's care. Family caregiver involvement in care and good communication from PED staff are key elements in improving overall patient experience and satisfaction.

Dynamic Relations Between Psychological Resilience and Post-Concussion Symptoms in Children With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Versus Orthopedic Injury: An A-CAP Study.

Higher psychological resilience is correlated with less severe post-concussion symptoms (PCS) after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in children, but the directional nature of this relationship remains uncertain. Although traditionally regarded as a stable, trait-like construct, resilience may be malleable and potentially influenced by mTBI and post-concussive symptoms. The current study sought to examine the stability of resilience, elucidate the dynamic nature of the resilience-PCS relation, and determine whether resilience-symptom associations are specific to mTBI or applicable to traumatic injury in general. Participants were children aged 8-16.99 years with either mTBI (n = 633) or orthopedic injury (OI; n = 334) recruited to participate in a prospective cohort study after presenting acutely to five Canadian pediatric emergency departments (EDs). Symptoms and psychological resilience were assessed at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months post-injury. Group differences in resilience over time were examined using a mixed linear model, and associations between resilience and symptoms over time were examined using random intercepts cross-lagged panel modeling (RI-CLPM). The mTBI group reported significantly lower resilience than the OI group, but the difference was significantly larger 1 week post-injury (d = 0.50) than at 3 months (d = 0.08) and 6 months (d = 0.10). Cross-lagged panel models indicated that resilience had both stable and dynamic aspects, and both affected and was affected by PCS, although their association varied by time post-injury, symptom measure, and reporter (parent vs. child). Higher parent-reported cognitive symptom severity at 1 week was significantly associated with higher resilience at 3 months (β = 0.23, p = 0.001). Higher resilience at 3 months was associated with lower levels of parent-reported somatic symptom severity (β = -0.14, p = 0.004) and fewer total symptoms (β = -0.135, p = 0.029) at 6 months. Higher resilience at 3 months was associated with fewer child-reported symptoms at 6 months (β = -0.11, p = 0.030) and, reciprocally, fewer child-reported symptoms at 3 months were associated with higher resilience at 6 months (β = -0.22, p = 0.001). Notably, injury group was not a significant moderator in cross-lagged models, suggesting that resilience-symptom associations are not specific to mTBI. Psychological resilience and symptoms have bidirectional relationships after injury. Interventions designed to foster resilience have the potential to promote recovery after mTBI specifically and injury more generally.

Nitrous oxide use in Canadian pediatric emergency departments: a survey of physician's knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an inhaled analgesic/ anxiolytic gas with evidence supporting its safety and efficacy for distressing procedures in children. Despite this, its use is not consistent across Canadian pediatric emergency departments (EDs). We aimed to characterize a) physicians' knowledge and practices with N2O and b) site-specific N2O protocols in Canadian pediatric EDs to help optimize its use nationally. This cross-sectional survey was distributed to physician members of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) in early 2021. Survey items addressed practice patterns, clinician comfort, and perceived barriers/ facilitators to use. Further, a representative from each ED completed a site-specific inventory of N2O policies and procedures. N2O was available in 40.0% of 15 pediatric EDs, with 83.3% of these sites having written policies in place. Of 230 distributed surveys, 67.8% were completed with mean (SD) attending experience of 14.7 (8.6) years and 70.1% having pediatric emergency subspecialty training. Of the 156 respondents, 48.7% used N2O in their clinical practice. The most common indications for use were digit fracture/ dislocation reduction (69.7%), wound closure (60.5%), and incision & drainage (59.2%). Commonly perceived facilitators were N2O equipment availability (73.0% of 156) and previous clinical experience (71.7% of 156). Of the 51.3% of physicians who reported not using N2O, 93.7% did not have availability at their site; importantly, the majority indicated a desire to acquire access. They identified concerns about ventilation/ scavenging systems (71.2% of 80) and unfamiliarity with equipment (52.5% of 80) as the most common barriers to use. Despite evidence to support its use, only half of Canadian pediatric ED physicians surveyed use N2O in their clinical practice for treating procedure-related pain and distress. Increased availability of N2O equipment, protocols, and training may improve clinicians' abilities to better manage pediatric acute pain and distress in the ED.

Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Urinary Tract Infection in a Pediatric Emergency Department: Is This a Problem Worth Cefix-ing?

Pediatric urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. To determine the least-broad-spectrum oral antibiotic that would cover 80% of pathogens from lower (afebrile) and upper (febrile) UTIs in a Canadian pediatric emergency department (ED). This retrospective case series involved children discharged from the ED between September 2020 and February 2021 with a diagnosis of UTI and collection of a sample for urinalysis that had growth on culture. Of 188 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 184 (97.9%) were discharged on antibiotics. Culture results indicated a UTI in 170 cases (92.4% of those discharged on antibiotics). The 95 urinary isolates from lower UTIs were susceptible to cephalexin (n = 81, 85.3%), cefixime (n = 78, 82.1%), nitrofurantoin (n = 76, 80.0%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (n = 64, 67.4%), and amoxicillin (n = 55, 57.9%). The 75 urinary isolates from upper UTIs were susceptible to cefixime (n = 71, 94.7%), TMP-SMX (n = 57, 76.0%), and amoxicillin (n = 48, 64.0%). The mean prescribed duration of antibiotic therapy was 8.3 days for patients with a lower UTI and 9.1 days for those with an upper UTI (mean difference 0.80 days, 95% confidence interval 0.05-1.54). Empiric treatment with cephalexin or nitrofurantoin would have been successful for almost all lower UTIs. More complete reporting of cephalexin minimal inhibitory concentrations might have allowed use of this drug for most upper UTIs. Although there was a trend toward shorter duration of therapy for lower versus upper UTI, lower UTIs were always treated for longer than recommended by current guidelines.

80 Family Caregiver Emotional and Communication Needs in Canadian Paediatric Emergency Departments

Abstract Background Paediatric emergency departments (EDs) have been identified as inherently stressful for families, making it challenging to understand and meet families’ global needs, beyond urgent medical care. There is a paucity of research describing how effectively the emotional and communication needs of family caregivers are met during ED visits. Objectives To describe the extent to which family caregivers’ emotional and communication needs were met during paediatric ED visits and relate these findings to visit and demographic characteristics. Design/Methods Electronic surveys with medical record review were deployed at ten Canadian paediatric EDs from October 2018 – March 2020. A convenience sample of families with children &amp;lt;18 years presenting to a paediatric ED were enrolled, for one week every three months, for one year per site. Caregivers completed one survey in the ED and a follow-up survey, up to seven days post-visit. Results This study recruited 2005 caregivers who were mostly identified as mothers (74.3%, 1462/1969); mean age was 37.8 years (SD 7.7). 71.7% (1081/1507) of caregivers felt their emotional needs were met. Staff physicians (35.6% [535/1502]), bedside nurses (24.2% [364/1502]), residents/medical students (13.8% [207/1502]) and triage nurses (12.4% [186/1502]) were identified as providing the best emotional support to caregivers. 86.4% (1293/1496) identified communication with the doctor as good/very good and 83.4% (1249/1498) with their child’s nurse. Caregiver involvement in their child’s care was reported as good/very good 85.6% (1271/1485) of the time. 81.8% (1074/1313) of caregivers felt comfortable in caring for their child at home at the time of discharge. Greater triage acuity, being the father (vs. mother), lower caregiver anxiety, respect for the child’s privacy, caregiver involvement in their child’s care, satisfactory updates, and having questions adequately addressed positively impacted caregiver emotional needs. Caregivers feeling less scared during an ED visit, lower caregiver anxiety, caregiver involvement in their child’s care, satisfactory updates, and having questions adequately addressed increased caregiver comfort in caring for their child’s illness at home. Conclusion Approximately 30% of caregivers presenting to paediatric EDs have unmet emotional needs, over 15% have unmet communication needs, and 15% felt inadequately involved in their child’s care, challenging healthcare providers to do better. Family caregiver involvement in care and good communication from ED staff are key elements in improving overall patient experience and satisfaction.

75 Factors that Influence Parental Decision-making Regarding Analgesia for their Children with Musculoskeletal Injury-related Pain: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Background Parents/caregivers are often the gatekeepers for the pharmacologic management of their children’s pain. Parents’ unique expertise in assessing their children’s pain reactions, alongside a deep emotional drive to protect their children, make them invaluable advocates and partners. Parents are highly invested in optimizing pain management outcomes for children. Concerns and preferences regarding medications, including opioids, influence their choices. An improved understanding of caregiver decision-making should encourage a family-centred approach to communication with parents when deciding analgesic plans for children with acute pain, facilitate shared clinical decision-making, and optimize paediatric pain management outcomes in the clinical setting. Objectives Our primary objective was to explore and understand caregiver decision-making as it relates to acute pain management for children presenting to the emergency department, with particular focus on opioids. Design/Methods This qualitative study was embedded within an ongoing paediatric clinical trial (‘The No OUCH Trials’, NCT03767933), which aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a combination of oral opioid (hydromorphone) and non-opioid (ibuprofen and acetaminophen) analgesics to manage paediatric musculoskeletal injury-related pain. This study employed one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Parents of children with acute musculoskeletal injuries were recruited from three Canadian paediatric emergency departments (Stollery Children’s Hospital [Edmonton, Alta.], CHU Sainte-Justine [Montreal, Qué.], and Winnipeg Children’s Hospital [Winnipeg, Man.]). Interviews were conducted via telephone from June 2019 to March 2021. Verbatim transcription and thematic analyses occurred concurrently with data collection, supporting data saturation and theory development considerations. Results Twenty-seven interviews were completed. Five major themes regarding pain assessment and treatment emerged: a) My child’s comfort is a priority; b) Every situation is unique; c) Opioids only if necessary; d) Considerations when choosing opioids; and e) Pain research is important. Overall, parents were highly comfortable with their assessment of their child’s pain. Participants’ willingness to use opioid analgesia for their children was primarily dependent on perceptions of injury and pain severity. Although considerations for opioid use were similar between opioid-averse and opioid-willing families, the trade-offs between maximizing pain relief and minimizing risks were weighed differently. Conclusion Our study revealed that parents assess their child’s pain and distress as a global entity, with great confidence in their own assessment and decision-making. For most parents, the desire to relieve their children’s pain outweighed concerns of addiction, misuse, and adverse events when making decisions about opioid analgesia for short-term use. These results can inform evidence-based family-centred approaches to co-decision-making of analgesic plans for children with acute pain.

77 Qualitative Needs Assessment of Child and Caregiver Perspectives to Inform Design of an Artificial Intelligence-enhanced Social Robot to Improve Paediatric Emergency Care

Abstract Background Children routinely experience under-treated pain and distress related to medical procedures, such as intravenous insertions (IVI), which can have negative consequences in both the short-term (e.g., fear, inability to complete procedure) and long-term (e.g., needle phobia, healthcare avoidance). Socially assistive robots (SARs) are a promising tool to manage pain and distress in paediatric healthcare settings. As we work towards building a more developmentally adaptive and interactive SAR, we must first understand how children and families perceive SAR to create a safe and ethical tool. Objectives The aim of this study was to understand children’s and caregivers’ perceptions of interacting with an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced SAR as a distraction tool in the paediatric emergency department (ED) to improve their IVI experience. Design/Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with children and their caregivers from two Canadian paediatric EDs between April 2021 to January 2022, with interview transcription and analysis conducted concurrently until thematic saturation was achieved. Qualitative content analysis was performed independently by two team members, who met regularly to discuss the coding scheme and key themes, and facilitate iterative adjustments to the interview script based on emerging themes. Results Nineteen children (mean age 8.42 years [SD 2.21]) and twelve caregivers were included. Three main themes were identified: (1) Overall ED experience, (2) General acceptance of a SAR, and (3) Suggested SAR features to support child engagement. Most participants were comfortable in the ED but identified long wait times and lack of technological supports (e.g., iPads) as an impediment to positive experience. Most participants expressed excitement and comfort surrounding robot technology. However, concerns were raised about photo/video capture by the SAR and the possibility of technical failure resulting in child disappointment or disengagement. Suggestions for potential robot features were unique to the phase of IVI: before IVI (developmentally appropriate procedure explanation, creation of a shared distraction plan); during IVI (variety and choice of distractions, SAR capability to stop or alter course); and after IVI (debriefing and positive reinforcement). Conclusion Overall, AI-enhanced SARs were perceived by children and caregivers as a promising tool to distract children. Insights collected will be used to inform the ethical and emotionally safe design of an AI-enhanced SAR. Next steps include development and usability testing of the SAR, subsequent evaluation in the paediatric ED via a randomized controlled trial, and clinical implementation.

Perspectives of Healthcare Providers to Inform the Design of an AI-Enhanced Social Robot in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Children commonly experience pain and distress in healthcare settings related to medical procedures such as blood tests and intravenous insertions (IVIs). Inadequately addressed pain and distress can result in both short- and long-term negative consequences. The use of socially assistive robotics (SARs) to reduce procedure-related distress and pain in children's healthcare settings has shown promise; however, the current options lack autonomous adaptability. This study presents a descriptive qualitative needs assessment of healthcare providers (HCPs) in two Canadian pediatric emergency departments (ED) to inform the design an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced social robot to be used as a distraction tool in the ED to facilitate IVIs. Semi-structured virtual individual and focus group interviews were conducted with eleven HCPs. Four main themes were identified: (1) common challenges during IVIs (i.e., child distress and resource limitations), (2) available tools for pain and distress management during IVIs (i.e., pharmacological and non-pharmacological), (3) response to SAR appearance and functionality (i.e., personalized emotional support, adaptive distraction based on child's preferences, and positive reinforcement), and (4) anticipated benefits and challenges of SAR in the ED (i.e., ensuring developmentally appropriate interactions and space limitations). HCPs perceive AI-enhanced social robots as a promising tool for distraction during IVIs in the ED.

Machine learning to identify attributes that predict patients who leave without being seen in a pediatric emergency department.

To characterize patients who left without being seen (LWBS) from a Canadian pediatric Emergency Department (ED) and create predictive models using machine learning to identify key attributes associated with LWBS. We analyzed administrative ED data from April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2020, from IWK Health ED in Halifax, NS. Variables included: visit disposition; Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS); triage month, week, day, hour, minute, and day of the week; sex; age; postal code; access to primary care provider; visit payor; referral source; arrival by ambulance; main problem (ICD10); length of stay in minutes; driving distance in minutes; and ED patient load. The data were randomly divided into training (80%) and test datasets (20%). Five supervised machine learning binary classification algorithms were implemented to train models to predict LWBS patients. We balanced the dataset using Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) and used grid search for hyperparameter tuning of our models. Model evaluation was made using sensitivity and recall on the test dataset. The dataset included 101,266 ED visits where 2009 (2%) records were excluded and 5800 LWBS (5.7%). The highest-performing machine learning model with 16 patient attributes was XGBoost which was able to identify LWBS patients with 95% recall and 87% sensitivity. The most influential attributes in this model were ED patient load, triage hour, driving minutes from home address to ED, length of stay (minutes since triage), and age. Our analysis showed that machine learning models can be used on administrative data to predict patients who LWBS in a Canadian pediatric ED. From 16 variables, we identified the five most influential model attributes. System-level interventions to improve patient flow have shown promise for reducing LWBS in some centres. Predicting patients likely to LWBS raises the possibility of individual patient-level interventions to mitigate LWBS.

Prevalence and characterization of food insecurity in a Canadian paediatric emergency department.

Food insecurity (FI) is associated with a number of adverse child health outcomes and increased emergency department (ED) use. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the financial hardship faced by many families. We sought to determine the prevalence of FI among children with ED visits, compare this to pre-pandemic rates, and describe associated risk factors. From September to December 2021, families presenting to a Canadian paediatric ED were asked to complete a survey screening for FI along with health and demographic information. Results were compared to data collected in 2012. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure associations with FI. In 2021, 26% (n = 173/665) of families identified as food insecure compared to 22.7% in 2012 (n = 146/644) a difference of 3.3% (95% CI [-1.4%, 8.1%]). In multivariable analysis, greater number of children in the home (OR 1.19, 95% CI [1.01, 1.41]), financial strain from medical expenses (OR 5.31, 95% CI [3.45, 8.18]), and a lack of primary care access (OR 1.27, 95% CI [1.08, 1.51]) were independent predictors of FI. Less than half of families with FI reported use of food charity, most commonly food banks, while one-quarter received help from family or friends. Families experiencing FI expressed a preference for support through free or low-cost meals and financial assistance with medical expenses. More than one in four families attending a paediatric ED screened positive for FI. Future research is needed to examine the effect of support interventions for families assessed in medical care facilities including financial support for those with chronic medical conditions.

Factors Influencing Parental Decision-Making Regarding Analgesia for Children with Musculoskeletal Injury-Related Pain: A Qualitative Study

To explore and understand parental decision-making relating to acute pain management for their children presenting to the emergency department. This study employed one-on-one semistructured interviews. Parents of children with acute musculoskeletal injuries were recruited from 3 Canadian pediatric emergency departments. Interviews were conducted via telephone from June 2019 to March 2021. Verbatim transcription and thematic analyses occurred concurrently with data collection, supporting data saturation and theory development considerations. Twenty-seven interviews were completed. Five major themes regarding pain care emerged: (1) my child's comfort is a priority, (2) every situation is unique, (3) opioids only if necessary, (4) considerations when choosing opioids, and (5) pain research is important. Overall, parents were highly comfortable with their assessment of their child's pain. Participants' willingness to use opioid analgesia for their children was primarily dependent on perceptions of injury and pain severity. Opioid-averse and opioid-accepting families had similar considerations when making analgesic decisions but weighed risks and benefits differently. Parents assess and manage their children's pain globally and multimodally, with comfort being prioritized. For most parents, the desire to relieve their children's pain outweighed concerns of substance use disorder, misuse, and adverse events when making decisions about opioid analgesia for short-term use. These results can inform evidence-based family-centered approaches to co-decision-making of analgesic plans for children with acute pain.

Association Between Early Return to School Following Acute Concussion and Symptom Burden at 2 Weeks Postinjury

Determining how the timing of return to school is related to later symptom burden is important for early postinjury management recommendations. To examine the typical time to return to school after a concussion and evaluate whether an earlier return to school is associated with symptom burden 14 days postinjury. Planned secondary analysis of a prospective, multicenter observational cohort study from August 2013 to September 2014. Participants aged 5 to 18 years with an acute (<48 hours) concussion were recruited from 9 Canadian pediatric emergency departments in the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada Network. The independent variable was the number of days of school missed. Missing fewer than 3 days after concussion was defined as an early return to school. The primary outcome was symptom burden at 14 days, measured with the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI). Symptom burden was defined as symptoms status at 14 days minus preinjury symptoms. Propensity score analyses applying inverse probability of treatment weighting were performed to estimate the relationship between the timing of return to school and symptom burden. This cohort study examined data for 1630 children (mean age [SD] 11.8 [3.4]; 624 [38%] female). Of these children, 875 (53.7%) were classified as having an early return to school. The mean (SD) number of days missed increased across age groups (5-7 years, 2.61 [5.2]; 8-12 years, 3.26 [4.9]; 13-18 years, 4.71 [6.1]). An early return to school was associated with a lower symptom burden 14 days postinjury in the 8 to 12-year and 13 to 18-year age groups, but not in the 5 to 7-year age group. The association between early return and lower symptom burden was stronger in individuals with a higher symptom burden at the time of injury, except those aged 5 to 7 years. In this cohort study of youth aged 5 to 18 years, these results supported the growing belief that prolonged absences from school and other life activities after a concussion may be detrimental to recovery. An early return to school may be associated with a lower symptom burden and, ultimately, faster recovery.

Exploring the needs of children and caregivers to inform design of an artificial intelligence-enhanced social robot in the pediatric emergency department.

Socially assistive robots (SARs) are a promising tool to manage children's pain and distress related to medical procedures, but current options lack autonomous adaptability. The aim of this study was to understand children's and caregivers' perceptions surrounding the use of an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced SAR to provide personalized procedural support to children during intravenous insertion (IVI) to inform the design of such a system following a user-centric approach. This study presents a descriptive qualitative needs assessment of children and caregivers. Data were collected via semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups. Participants were recruited from two Canadian pediatric emergency departments (EDs) between April 2021 and January 2022. Eleven caregivers and 19 children completed 27 individual interviews and one focus group. Three main themes were identified: A. Experience in the clinical setting, B. Acceptance of and concerns surrounding SARs, and C. Features that support child engagement with SARs. Most participants expressed comfort with robot technology, however, concerns were raised about sharing personal information, photographing/videotaping, and the possibility of technical failure. Suggestions for feature enhancements included increasing movement to engage a child's attention and tailoring language to developmental age. To enhance the overall ED experience, participants also identified a role for the SAR in the waiting room. Artificial intelligence-enhanced SARs were perceived by children and caregivers as a promising tool for distraction during IVIs and to enhance the overall ED experience. Insights collected will be used to inform the design of an AI-enhanced SAR.

Can quantitative susceptibility mapping help diagnose and predict recovery of concussion in children? An A-CAP study

BackgroundQuantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is an MRI technique that is a potential biomarker for concussion. We performed QSM in children following concussion or orthopaedic injury (OI), to assess QSM performance...

95 Prevalence and Characterization of Food Insecurity in a Canadian Paediatric Emergency Department

Abstract Background Food insecurity (FI), defined as inadequate or insecure access to food, is a key determinant of child health. FI is associated with a number of adverse physical, psychological and developmental health outcomes and increased emergency department (ED) use. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated financial hardship faced by many families with an unprecedented rise in use of charitable food programs. Objectives We sought to determine the prevalence of FI among pediatric ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, compare this to pre-pandemic rates, and describe associated risk factors. Design/Methods From September to December 2021, families presenting to a tertiary Canadian paediatric ED were asked to complete a survey screening for FI with a validated two-item questionnaire, along with socio-demographic and child health information. Results were compared to data collected in 2012. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure associations with FI. Results In 2021, 26% (n=173/665) of families identified as food insecure compared to 22.7% in 2012 (n=146/644), which was not statistically different (3.3%, 95% CI [-1.4%, 8.1%]). When the definition of FI is expanded to include use of charitable food assistance, the prevalence increased to 29.2%. In univariate analysis, FI was significantly associated with lack of primary care, caregivers born outside of Canada, status other than Canadian citizenship, having a child with a chronic medical condition, having financial strain related to medical expenses and reason for the ED visit being the child’s chronic condition. In multivariable analysis, only having more children in the home (OR 1.19, 95% CI [1.01, 1.41]), financial strain from medical expenses (OR 5.31, 95% CI [3.45, 8.18]) and lack of primary care access (OR 1.27, 95% CI [1.08, 1.51]) remained independent predictors of FI. Approximately half (48.5%) of food insecure families reported use of food charity, most commonly food banks (31.7%), while one-quarter (26%) received help from family or friends. Food insecure families indicated their preferred means of support in hospital would be free/low cost meals and financial assistance with medical expenses. Conclusion Greater than one in four families attending a Canadian tertiary pediatric ED screened positive for FI. FI was independently associated with lack of access to primary care, financial strain related to medical expenses, and greater number of children in the household. Further research is necessary to examine the effect of support interventions for families admitted to medical care facilities and financial support for chronic conditions.

63 Translational Research Capacity in Canadian Pediatric Emergency Departments Participating in the Precision Medicine for Improving the Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis in the Emergency Department (PRIMED) Study

Abstract Background Pediatric clinical and translational research are essential to acquire effective diagnostic and treatment options for children, but they are underfunded and under prioritized in comparison to research focused on treatments for adults. The Precision Medicine for Improving the Diagnosis of Pediatric Appendicitis in the Emergency Department (PRIMED) study aimed to characterize the proteomic and metabolic bio-profiles of children with appendicitis and to investigate these bio-profiles as a clinical prediction tool. Objectives In this current work, we aimed to evaluate translational research capacity at Canadian pediatric Emergency Departments (EDs) and to describe some of the challenges experienced in the implementation of the PRIMED study and various strategies used to improve local research capacity. Design/Methods Participating sites provided basic demographic and administrative data along with laboratory- and human-resource availability during enrolment for the PRIMED study. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics. Eleven pediatric EDs participated in the PRIMED study. Results Six study hospitals (54.5%) used on-site clinical laboratories to process research samples; the remaining hospitals (5/11, 45.5%) required access to research facilities, of which two (18.2%) were off-site. Fewer than two thirds of the study sites (7/11, 63.6%) had any laboratory that would process samples 24 hours per day. Four study sites (36.4%) only enrolled patients during business hours and over half of the sites (6/11, 54.5%) were unable to collect samples for the entire 17:00 to 21:00 peak when the greatest number of pediatric patients present to the ED (Figure 1). There was no nighttime coverage for patient enrollment and sample collection and only three study sites (3/11, 27.3%) had enrollment hours that captured over 75% of the potential study participants. Over half (6/11, 54.5%) of the PRIMED study sites developed novel processes to enable study success, for example creating graduate student on-call schedules and hiring bioscience trained site coordinators to perform sample processing requirements. Conclusion Despite site-specific efforts to overcome resource barriers, the gap in translational research capacity at academic pediatric emergency departments remains a significant concern. University research institutes and pediatric hospitals should invest in infrastructure and human resources to increase after-hours clinical and translational research capacity to optimize child health and wellness outcomes.

64 A Canadian multicentre survey of family needs when attending the pediatric emergency department

Abstract Background Parents/caregivers strongly influence their child’s experience in the pediatric emergency department (PED). Understanding their needs can improve families’ PED experience and care. Objectives To describe caregivers’ perceived emotional, practical, and informational needs in the PED and how well these needs were met Design/Methods This descriptive, cross-sectional survey with medical record review was conducted at 10 Canadian PEDs from October 2018 to March 2020, over a 1-week period every season, for a total of 4 weeks per site. Digital surveys available in English or French were completed by caregivers in the PED and 7 days after their visit. Health literacy was evaluated by the Newest Vital Sign tool. Results A total of 2005 caregivers participated; mean age was 37.8 (SD 7.7) years, and 74.3% (1462/1969) were mothers. The mean child age was 5.9 (5.1) years and 51.9 % (1040/2003) were male. Caregivers’ main spoken language was mostly English [72.6% (1425/1964)] or French [10.5% (206/1964)]. Over half of caregivers had a university/professional degree [51.0% (997/1956)]; 37.4% (746/1998) had possible/probable limited health literacy. 77.9% (1132/1454) of caregivers reported that their overall care needs were met. 71.7% (1081/1507) of caregivers reported that their emotional needs were met; they reported most emotional support by doctors [(35.6%, 535/1510)] and bedside nurses [(24.2%, 364/1507)]. The median (IQR) length of stay was 3.9 (2.6, 6.1) hours; 36.7% (546/1487) of caregivers felt they waited ‘too long’, and 77.8% (1158/1489) did not know how long they would have to wait. 11.7% of families were dissatisfied with the care updates provided. A safe PED was the top overall identified practical need [(45.1%, 602/1336)]. Internet access was the most important practical need throughout the visit [(28.1%, 378/1345)], while more space was the most reported [(49.8%, 696/1398)] need in the waiting room. The most desired improvements in the PED were better communication of wait times and delays [(41.1%, 745/1812)], shorter wait times [(38.8%, 699/1801)] and faster diagnosis [(24.9%, 449/1803)]. Conclusion Almost one quarter of Canadian caregivers report that their overall needs were not fully met when attending the PED. Safety during the PED visit was of utmost importance. Nationally, caregivers value shorter wait times, rapid diagnosis, and better communication about perceived delays. Top practical needs included internet access and more waiting room space. Creating innovative waiting systems, better methods to share wait time information, free internet access, and improved physical spaces could better address identified caregiver needs in the PED.