Emergency department use for injuries by adolescents in foster care. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thackeray, Jonathan; Leonhart, Karen; Yackey, Katelyn; Cooper, Jennifer; Kelleher, Kelly
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 62(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Foster care -- Group home -- Adolescent -- Emergency department utilization -- Injury; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.01.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Abstract: Youth in foster care are overrepresented with respect to their utilization of emergency department (ED) services. This study examines the ED utilization patterns of adolescents in foster care and evaluates the characteristics of injury related versus non-injury related visits. We found that adolescents in foster care have high rates of ED use (1.84 visits per year (95% CI 1.59, 2.12)), with 31.2% of ED visits being injury-related. Male gender was found to be the only independent predictor of having an injury related vs. non-injury related ED visit (odds ratio 2.22 (95% CI 1.27–3.87)). Regarding the mechanisms of injury, adolescent youth in group homes were significantly more likely to present with injuries inflicted by themselves or by others in their residence (p < 0.05 for both) but less likely to present with accidental injuries or injuries sustained during recreation (p < 0.05 for both). Resources and interventions targeted at both youth and group home staff related to behavioral health assessment, post-traumatic coping skills and conflict management may have beneficial effects. Highlights: We examined the ED utilization patterns of adolescents in foster care. Group home youth have higher frequency of self-inflicted and conflict injuries. Findings highlight opportunity for targeted interventions for youth in foster care.