Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Jun 2009
Psychiatric patients in the pediatric emergency department undergoing routine urine toxicology screens for medical clearance: results and use.
We sought to determine the use and results of urine toxicology screens (UTS) in psychiatric patients undergoing a UTS test for medical clearance in a pediatric emergency department. ⋯ Routine-driven UTS in uncomplicated pediatric psychiatric patients being evaluated in the ED offered little additional information, did not influence management, and potentially increased both ED cost and time. Patients with straightforward psychiatric complaints may be medically cleared without a UTS.
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We describe a 6-month-old girl who had an apparent life-threatening event after a vomiting episode resulting in activation of emergency medical services for transport to the emergency department. The differential diagnosis for this presentation is broad but easily narrowed down given the additional clinical information. Her resultant diagnosis of intussusception is a common diagnosis but with an uncommon presentation.
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Pediatric emergency care · Jun 2009
Establishing best practice in pediatric emergency mental health: a prospective study examining clinical characteristics.
The objectives of this prospective study were to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of children and youth presenting to the emergency department (ED) for mental health concerns through the use of a valid standardized assessment protocol. ⋯ This research, through the use of a multi-informant standardized assessment protocol, presents a comprehensive study of children and youth presenting to the ED with mental health issues. Identifying the clinical characteristics of this population is an important first step toward establishing best practice within an ED.