%D 2005 %0 ARTICLE %T Ankle sprain discharge instructions from the emergency department . %J %V 21 ( 8 ) %P 498-501 %A Chorley JN %M pub16096593 %X OBJECTIVES : ( 1 ) To describe the incidence of inclusion of early mobilization components in emergency department ( ED ) discharge instructions ; ( 2 ) to describe the prescribed follow-up appointments ; and ( 3 ) to analyze the differences between the treatment of pediatric and adult patients . METHODS : A 1-year retrospective chart review of ED records of a large urban hospital was performed . Medical records of 374 ( 95% ) of the 397 adult and pediatric patients with ICD-9 code for ankle sprains were reviewed ( 213 males and 171 females , mean age 28 . 4 +/- 14 . 5 ; 291 adults , 93 pediatric ) . RESULTS : Sixteen percent of records contained discharge instructions that included rest , ice , compression , elevation , and medications ( RICEM ) . Twenty percent included RICE . Pediatricians ( 33 . 7% ) were more likely than adult physicians ( 10 . 3% ) to have given RICEM ( P < 0 . 0001 ) and RICE ( P = 0 . 05 , pedi = 45 . 8% , adult = 13 . 1% ) . Follow-up referrals were recommended as needed 50% of the time . Follow-up referrals were made to community clinics ( 59% ) , orthopedic clinic ( 23% ) , the ED ( 14% ) , and others ( 4% ) . Pediatricians were more likely to recommend routine scheduled follow up ( pedi = 62% , adult = 47% , P = 0 . 018 ) , suggest follow-up in a community clinic or doctors office ( pedi = 68 . 6% , adult = 51 . 2% , P < 0 . 0001 ) , and to recommend earlier follow up ( pedi = 1 . 6 weeks +/- 1 . 1 , adult = 2 . 0 weeks +/- 1 . 1 , P = 0 . 002 ) than adult physicians . CONCLUSIONS : Programs that train physicians who work in the ED need to include education on the proper treatment , rehabilitation , and follow up of patients with acute ankle sprains . Providing easy-to-complete discharge instruction templates can help providers give patients discharge instructions that may help patients minimize the risk of long-term sequelae .