While it is clear that the problem of emergencies occurring in or presenting to the pediatrician's office is a real one, there is limited evidence-based literature on which to base recommendations for handling this subject. In fact, there is not even consensus on just what constitutes an office emergency. Many define it as simply "severely ill or requiring hospitalization". One study defined it as "an event requiring equipment and interventions beyond the usual and customary scope of pediatric office practice". Most studies define an office emergency by specific diagnoses, such as:
- severe asthma
- severe dehydration
- significant trauma or closed head injury
- seizures
- meningitis
- upper airway obstruction
- anaphylaxis
- diabetic ketoacidosis
- cardiac arrest
There is a paucity of data regarding the frequency of emergencies seen in pediatric offices. There is also great variability in the data that is reported - anywhere from 1-2 emergencies per office per week to 1-2 per year! The AAP sent to its members a Periodic Survey of Fellows in 1994 which reported that pediatricians see an average of 2 patients per week who "require emergency treatment and subsequent emergency hospitalization". How accurate this data is or how representative is uncertain.