Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 1996
Comparative StudyPediatric emergency department utilization habits: a consumer survey.
The objective of this study was to identify pediatric emergency department (PED) utilization patterns to develop areas for future educational interventions. To this end a verbally administered questionnaire by a single interviewer was given over 17 days between February 8, 1993, through April 7, 1993, at a PED of an urban university hospital. Participating were 300 families (convenience sample) who were interviewed at varying times of the day and night. ⋯ Analysis of parental rating of their child's illness severity on a linear (10-point) scale showed a mean of 5.7 +/- 2.5. The COM group had lower triage scores (indicating greater severity of illness) than the MED group: 50% COM patients were scored < or = 2.5 compared to 30% of MED patients (P < 0.01, chi 2). We found a significant difference in the PED utilization habits of patients on medical assistance compared to those with commercial insurance, and we plan to develop educational materials to meet the needs of our patients, many of whom utilize the PED for nonurgent illnesses.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 1996
Comparative StudyPediatric and neonatal critical care transport: a comparison of therapeutic interventions.
To compare the therapeutic interventions provided to newborn and pediatric patients by a dedicated combined neonatal pediatric critical care transport team. ⋯ Overall, newborns received more interventions, including intubation, and ventilation from the transport team than did pediatric patients. Our data suggest that combined pediatric neonatal transport teams should be prepared to intervene in a wide range of conditions from preterm respiratory distress to the multiply traumatized adolescent.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 1996
Comparative StudyChild life programs in the pediatric emergency department.
Child life (CL) programs have long been utilized in the inpatient setting to help in relieving the stress and anxiety associated with hospitalization. The objective of this study was to determine the current availability of such programs in pediatric emergency departments (ED) and what interventions were provided in one ED with a CL program. We conducted a telephone survey of EDs in 44 large children's hospitals in the United States as to their use of child life specialists (CLS). ⋯ There were more patient contacts made by the worker on evening shift. CL programs, while common in the inpatient setting, are currently underutilized in most pediatric EDs. CLS can provide a variety of services in the pediatric ED.