WIP 122 - Exploring the practice variation of Canadian pediatric emergency physicians in urine collection methods among pre-toilet trained children with suspected urinary tract infection
Resident Physician University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause of acute illness among infants and young children presenting to the emergency department (ED). In order to diagnose a UTI a urine sample must be collected, and many techniques exist for specimen collection in pre-toilet trained children. There appears to be a wide practice variation among pediatricians regarding the most appropriate urine collection method. This variation also appears to exist across national health organizations and societies. To date, little is known about the extent of practice variation in urine collection methods, or the influence of patients and healthcare provider characteristics on the choice of urine collection method. Objective: 1. To determine the variation in practice of urine collection methods among pediatric emergency medicine physicians (PEMPs) in Canadian Pediatric EDs in the diagnosis of UTI in pre-toilet trained children. 2. To investigate how demographics of PEMPs in the ED impact the choice of urine collection methods. 3. To investigate how institutional practices and policies in the ED influence urine collection methods. 4. To determine how the demographic features and the severity of presenting symptoms in children impacts the choice of urine collection methods. Design/Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed and comprised of three sections: PEMP demographics, pediatric ED demographics and a series of case scenarios designed to assess context surrounding urine collection method choice. The survey was developed using CHERRIES structured reporting guidelines with the help of a survey methodologist and disseminated via REDcap to PEMPs across Canada from February 2023 – April 2023. A descriptive analysis of the characteristics of PEMPs and the EDs they work at will be conducted. PEMP and ED factors which influence urine collection methods will be examined in multivariate regression models. Institutional ethics approval was obtained from the University of Manitoba and Pediatric Emergency Research Canada. Data analysis is ongoing and is expected to be completed by January 2024.
