Table 1 Characteristics of cases included in the present analysis (N=96)

Out of hours

50

52%

Age of patient (mean ± standard deviation)

5.8 ± 3.7 years

       (range)

3 weeks – 15 years

Female gender

51

53%

Clinical triage criteria (Barton Schmitt)

Call emergency services now

Signs of shock (e.g. very weak, limp, not moving, gray skin)

0

0%

Sounds like life-threatening emergency to the triager

1

1%

Go to emergency department now

Vomiting blood (R/O peptic ulcer, esophagitis)

0

0%

Is pregnant or could be pregnant (female) (R/O spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy)

0

0%

Could be poisoning with a plant, medicine, or chemical

0

0%

Lying down and unable to walk (R/O appendicitis or other acute abdomen)

1

1%

Walks bent over or holding the abdomen (R/O appendicitis or other acute abdomen)

7

7%

Pain in the scrotum or testicle (male) (R/O testicular torsion)

0

0%

Severe (excruciating) pain (R/O serious cause)

10

10%

Blood in the bowel movements (R/O peptic ulcer, intussusception)

0

0%

Sounds like intussusception to the triager (attacks of severe abdominal pain/crying suddenly switching to 2 to 10 minute periods of quiet) (age usually < 3 years)

1

1%

Child sounds very sick or weak to the triager (R/O serious cause)

0

0%

Go to office now

Pain low on the right side (R/O appendicitis)

6

6%

Pain (or crying) that is constant for > 2 hours (R/O appendicitis, PID, other serious cause)

21

22%

Vomiting bile (bright yellow or green) (R/0 intestinal obstruction)

1

1%

Recent injury to the abdomen (R/O ruptured spleen, traumatic pancreatitis)

0

0%

Tenderness mainly present low on right side when caller presses on the abdomen

5

5%

Age < 2 years (R/O intussusception, especially with intermittent pain)

7

7%

Fever > 40.6°C (R/O serious bacterial infection)

1

1%

See today in office

Mild pain that comes and goes (cramps) lasts > 24 h

20

21%

Parent wants child seen

1

1%

See within 2 weeks in office

Abdominal pains are a chronic problem (present > 4 weeks) (R/O stress-related, school avoidance, normal sideache)

4

4%

Home care

Mild abdominal pain present for < 24 h

10

10%