Table 1.
Characteristics of referrals to Home care Service, HCS
| Characteristics | Referrals | Referrals leading to HCS | Rejected referrals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child's age (n; (%)) | n = 355 | n = 304 | n = 38 |
| 0–1 years | 67 (18.9) | 54 (17.7) | 8 (21.0) |
| 2–5 years | 99 (27.9) | 84 (27.6) | 13 (34.2) |
| 6–12 years | 119 (33.5) | 106 (34.9) | 10 (26.3) |
| 13–17 years | 70 (19.7) | 60 (19.8) | 7 (18.4) |
| (Median [IQR] (min‐max)) | 6.0 [2.5–11.0] (0.1–18) | 6.3 [2.5–11.0] (0.1–18) | 5.0 [1.8–11.0] (0.1–18) |
| Sex (n; (%)) | n = 355 | n = 304 | n = 38 |
| Female | 171 (48.2) | 144 (47.4) | 23 (60.5) |
| Diagnosis (n; (%)) | n = 355 | n = 304 | n = 38 |
| Circulatory illness | 11 (3.1) | 8 (2.6) | 2 (5.3) |
| Cystic fibrosis | 32 (9.0) | 32 (10.5) | 0 |
| Digestive illness | 22 (6.2) | 18 (5.9) | 2 (5.3) |
| Hepato‐nephrological | 36 (10.1) | 33 (10.9) | 3 (7.9) |
| Lyme decease | 29 (8.2) | 29 (9.5) | 0 |
| Multiple | 20 (5.6) | 11 (3.6) | 6 (15.8) |
| Neoplasm | 107 (30.1) | 99 (32.6) | 3 (7.9) |
| Neuro‐muscular illness | 52 (14.6) | 38 (12.5) | 12 (31.6) |
| Othera | 46 (13.0) | 36 (11.8) | 10 (26.2) |
| Indication for referral to HCS (n; (%)) | n = 355 | n = 301 | n = 38 |
| Palliative care | 22 (6.3) | 17 (5.6)* | 3 (7.9) |
| Special care task | |||
| Administration of blood transfusion | 6 (1.7) | 4 (1.3) | 1 (2.6) |
| Administration of intravenous antibioticb | 198 (56.7) | 177 (58.6) | 17 (44.7) |
| Blood sample | 21 (6.0) | 19 (6.3) | 2 (5.3) |
| Total parental nutrition | 21 (6.0) | 19 (6.3) | 1 (2.6) |
| Other intra venous medication | 23 (6.5) | 21 (7.0) | 3 (7.9 |
| Other medicationc | 22 (6.2) | 13 (4.3) | 3 (7.9) |
| Other care taskd | 37 (10.6) | 30 (9.9) | 8 (21.1) |
| Source of referral (n; (%)) | n = 353 | n = 304 | n = 38 |
| Local hospital east | 121 (34.3) | 115 (37.8) | 5 (13.2) |
| Local hospital west | 19 (5.4) | 17 (5.6) | 2 (5.3) |
| University hospital | |||
| Paediatric Oncology department | 67 (19.0) | 58 (19.1) | 4 (10.4) |
| Paediatric Neurology department | 18 (5.1) | 12 (3.9) | 5 (13.2) |
| Paediatric Surgery department | 6 (1.7) | 6 (2.0) | 0 |
| Paediatric Cardiology department | 6 (1.7) | 2 (0.7) | 2 (5.3) |
| Other paediatric departments | 99 (28.0) | 78 (25.7) | 17 (44.7) |
| Othere | 17 (4.8) | 16 (5.2) | 3 (7.9) |
a
Arthritis, haemato‐immunologic, infection, orthopaedic, respiratory and other (0.9–3.2%).
b
Ten different antibiotics were administered in either peripheral venous catheters or central venous accesses
c
Other intravenous drugs for example albumin or antiviral treatment, sub cutaneous or nasal infusion.
d
Supervision and support to parents during education, assessment of a care‐related situation
e
Psychiatric departments and a rehabilitation centre.