Variability in the number of tests used in children with acute gastroenteritis in two hospitals

The objective of the study was to determine whether rates of diagnostic test use varied between one US and one Spanish hospital. Retrospective chart review in the hospital's emergency departments, recording patient and illness characteristics and laboratory tests were performed. Adjustment was performed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. After controlling for patient and severity of illness, US children remained more likely to undergo more than one laboratory test [OR=4.8 (3.5-6.6)] than Spanish children. It was concluded that physicians at the US hospital ordered more tests than providers at the Spanish hospital when treating patients with comparable level of illness. Cross-national comparisons may be useful in efforts to identify appropriate cost-effective care.