Clinical characteristics of study sample, by referral group
| Characteristic | Referral group | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1: resuscitation and surgery in pediatric centre | Group 2: initial/all resuscitation in peripheral centre, surgery in pediatric centre | Group 3: resuscitation and surgery in peripheral centre(s) | |
| No. of patients | 280 | 175 | 296 |
| Preoperative LOS > 2 d | 6.4% | 15.4% | 17.6% |
| OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.4–5.0)* | OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.8–5.5)* | ||
| p = 0.002 | p < 0.001 | ||
| Postoperative LOS > 2 d | 14.6% | 18.9% | 56.4% |
| p = 0.24 | OR 7.5 (95% CI 5.0–11.3) | ||
| p < 0.001 | |||
| Total LOS > 3 d | 27.1% | 49.7% | 67.9% |
| OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.8–3.9) | OR 5.7 (95% CI 4.0–8.1) | ||
| p < 0.001 | p < 0.001 | ||
| Postoperative complications | 3.9% | 4.0% | 10.5% |
| p = 0.97 | OR 2.9 (95% CI 1.4–5.9) | ||
| p = 0.002 | |||
CI = confidence interval; LOS = length of stay in hospital; OR = odds ratio.
↵* Unadjusted relative to group 1.