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.