International Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, ISSN 1927-1255 print, 1927-1263 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Int J Clin Pediatr and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website https://ijcp.elmerpub.com

Original Article

Volume 14, Number 2, October 2025, pages 44-50


Effect of Pediatric Hospitalist-Run Post-Discharge Care Clinic on Hospital Efficiency

Tables

Table 1. PDCC and Control Clinic Patient Demographics
 
PDCC, N = 57 (% of total)Control, N = 62 (% of total)
Demographics of the patient population (N = 57 and N = 62). Medians are presented with associated interquartile ranges when reporting age, and categorical variables are reported as percentages. ICU: intensive care unit; PCP: primary care physician; PDCC: post-discharge care clinic.
Patient age (months)2.0 (1.0 - 6.0)3.0 (1.0 - 19.0)
Sex
  Male32 (56%)32 (52%)
  Female25 (44%)30 (49%)
Race
  Asian2 (4%)1 (2%)
  Black or African American2 (4%)8 (13%)
  Other9 (16%)15 (24%)
  Two or more races6 (11%)3 (5%)
  White38 (67%)35 (56%)
Language
  English51 (90%)60 (97%)
  Spanish4 (7%)0 (0%)
  Other2 (4%)2 (3%)
PCP present
  Yes54 (95%)53 (86%)
  No3 (5%)9 (15%)
ICU admission
  Yes10 (18%)26 (42%)
  No47 (83%)34 (55%)
Swallow study done
  Yes23 (40%)27 (44%)
  No34 (60%)35 (57%)
Swallow aspiration
  Yes19 (33%)19 (31%)
  No4 (7%)8 (13%)

 

Table 2. Estimated Healthcare System Savings (Full Oral Feeds)
 
ControlPDCC (full oral feeds)P-value
United States dollars estimated to be saved via patients that achieved full oral feeds and after PDCC implementation and utilization. The controls were all full oral feeds and therefore, the PDCC sample selected (N = 26) were also those that achieved full oral feeds. PDCC: post-discharge care clinic.
Total cost savings ($)0.002
N6226
Median5,435.1024,813.80
Interquartile range268.50 - 39,896.9010,873.50 - 57,181.70
Range0.00 - 321,087.301,749.60 - 476,743.30

 

Table 3. Estimated Healthcare System Savings (PDCC Group)
 
N (56)Median (interquartile range)
United States dollars estimated to be saved via patients that achieved full oral feeds relative to those who did not after PDCC implementation and utilization. *One patient was excluded due to being lost to follow-up prior to their PDCC appointment. PDCC: post-discharge care clinic.
Total savings - PDCC oral feeds26$24,813.80 ($10,873.50 - $57,181.70)
Total savings - PDCC total56*$7,424.40 ($3,335.30 - $16,725.50)

 

Table 4. PDCC Clinical Outcomes
 
PDCC, N = 57 (%)Control, N = 62(%)P value
Percentage of patients who returned to the hospital within 30 days after originally being discharged, reported as percentages out of the entire sample population. ED: emergency department; PDCC: post-discharge care clinic.
ED visits post-discharge0.937
  No41 (71.9%)45 (72.6%)
  Yes16 (28.1%)17 (27.4%)
Readmissions post-discharge0.644
  No44 (77.2%)50 (80.6%)
  Yes13 (22.8%)12 (19.4%)