Pediatric emergency care
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Surveys conveniently acquire and summarize valuable information from a target population. The specific aims, design, target sample, mode of distribution, data analysis, and inherent limitations of the survey methodology should be carefully considered to maximize the validity of the results. This review provides guidance on the methods and standards necessary to complete sound survey science.
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Near-infrared spectroscopy is a noninvasive means of determining real-time changes in regional oxygen saturation of cerebral and somatic tissues. Hypoxic neurologic injuries not only involve devastating effects on patients and their families but also increase health care costs to the society. ⋯ Although 20th century advances in the understanding and management of resuscitation of critically ill and injured children have focused on global parameters (ie, pulse oximetry, capnography, base deficit, lactate, etc), a growing body of evidence now points to regional disturbances in microcirculation that will lead us in a new direction of adjunctive tissue monitoring and response to resuscitation. In the coming years, near-infrared spectroscopy will be accepted as a way for clinicians to more quickly and noninvasively identify patients with altered levels of cerebral and/or somatic tissue oxygenation and, in conjunction with global physiologic parameters, guide efficient and effective resuscitation to improve outcomes for critically ill and injured pediatric patients.
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyCost-efficiency assessment of 3 different pediatric first-aid training models for caregivers and teachers in Shanghai.
The object of this study was to assess, in cost-effective measures, 3 different models for pediatric first-aid training among caregivers and teachers. ⋯ Although interactive training model may slightly increase the rate of trainees who passed the course, the cost-effectiveness of video instruction training model is clearly superior.
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2011
Comparative Study"Family plan"--multiple-patient visits from the same family to an inner-city pediatric emergency department.
The issue of multiple family members presenting to the emergency department (ED) for care during a single visit is unique to pediatric EDs (PEDs). The epidemiology of such multiple-patient visits (MPVs) has not been well characterized. The aims of this study were to describe patient characteristics, Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage categories, length of stay, ED disposition, and payer characteristics of such MPV and to compare these characteristics to that of the overall ED visits (OEVs). ⋯ In our inner-city PED, most of the MPVs are for medical complaints, belong to a lower acuity, and have a low hospital admission rate.
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2011
Comparative StudyClinical prevalence and correlates of substance use in adolescent psychiatric emergency patients.
This study used clinical and administrative data to describe the clinical prevalence and correlates of substance use disorders (SUDs) in 622 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years who were evaluated with 1 or more psychiatric diagnoses after presenting to an urban psychiatric emergency service. ⋯ Substance use disorders were prevalent in this population, and the rate of SUD treatment disposition was lower than anticipated. Substance use disorders were associated with lower functioning but not independently correlated with psychiatric diagnostic categories or symptom severity. This study supports the need for improved screening, intervention, and referral options for SUDs in this setting.