Authors: (including presenting author): :
Ng DYH, Huen WH, Tsang SK, Chan WY, Tang CY, Tang PY, Chung PY
Affiliation: :
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Atopic dermatitis
Keyword 3: :
Hospital admission
Introduction: :
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin condition affecting approximately 30% of children in Hong Kong. Poorly controlled AD can lead to frequent flare-ups, recurrent skin infections and unplanned hospital admissions. In 2024, a paediatric dermatology team was set up in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). An ‘In-Patient Atopic Dermatitis Checklist’ was written and used for guiding the management of in-patients with atopic dermatitis.
Objectives: :
Our study aim is to evaluate the use of In-patient Atopic Dermatitis Checklist in TMH. We hypothesize that its use can reduce the rate of unplanned hospital readmissions in children with atopic dermatitis.
Methodology: :
Using Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS), paediatric patients admitted to TMH between 1/1/2025 and 31/12/2025 with principle diagnosis of atopic dermatitis were identified retrospectively. Children admitted for planned procedures or investigations were excluded from analysis. For each patient, we evaluated whether ‘In-Patient Atopic Dermatitis Checklist’ was used during the child’s stay. We also examined whether the child had an unplanned hospital admission related to atopic dermatitis in the period of 6 months following discharge. All data were collected anonymously.
Result & Outcome: :
103 episodes of paediatric admissions for atopic dermatitis were identified in TMH in 2025 after exclusion. The In-Patient Atopic Dermatitis Checklist was used in 41 out of 103 (39.8%) patients. 62 out of 103 (60.2%) patients received standard care without use of the checklist. Of the 41 patients who used In-Patient Atopic Dermatitis Checklist, 1 patient (2.4%) had unplanned readmission after discharge. Of the 62 patients who received standard care, 17 (27.4%) had unplanned readmission after discharge. The use of In-Patient Atopic Dermatitis Checklist was associated with a 91.2% relative risk reduction in unplanned hospital readmissions. The calculated risk ratio was 0.089. The absolute risk reduction was 25%, and the number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one readmission was 4. Conclusion: In children admitted with atopic dermatitis, the use of In-Patient Atopic Dermatitis Checklist was beneficial and significantly reduced future unplanned hospital readmissions.
