Impact of Mobile Text Messaging on Follow Up Rates After Discharge From the Pediatric Emergency Department

Impact of Mobile Text Messaging on Follow Up Rates After Discharge From the Pediatric Emergency Department

To compare the effectiveness of text message versus voice call as a method of contact for providing results of diagnostic tests and assuring ongoing care from the pediatric emergency department.

The investigators plan to conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial to compare two means of contacting patients and their caregivers after discharge from the emergency department in order to provide results of tests: text messaging (intervention group) vs. telephone call (standard group).

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients under the age of 18 who have had diagnostic testing without finalized results prior to discharge from the emergency department

Exclusion Criteria:

• Admitted patients
• Patients transferred to another facility
• Patients with critical values as results
• Do not have devices that can receive phone and text messages
• Cannot read English or Spanish