Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 2014
Case ReportsAll that wheezes is not asthma: cognitive bias in pediatric emergency medical decision making.
The objectives of this study were to highlight the intimate role that cognitive biases play in clinical decision making in the pediatric emergency department and to recommend strategies to limit their negative impact on patient care outcomes. ⋯ Common cognitive biases play a role in the unique milieu of the pediatric emergency department. A case series of presumed patients with asthma illustrates how mental shortcuts (heuristics) taken in times of high decision density and uncertainty may lead to diagnostic errors and patient harm. Suggestions to address and prevent cognitive biases are presented.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 2014
ReviewInfant botulism and indications for administration of botulism immune globulin.
Infant botulism is caused by the ingestion of Clostridium botulinum spores and leads to a life-threatening descending motor weakness and flaccid paralysis in infant children. This disease presents with symptoms such as constipation, weakness, and hypotonia and can lead to respiratory failure. ⋯ It is indicated in children with clinically diagnosed infant botulism, before diagnostic confirmation, and has been shown to lead to a significant reduction in intensive care unit and hospital stay for these patients. This review article discusses the epidemiology, clinical presentation, history of BIG, and indications for administration of BIG.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 2014
Comparative StudyRespiratory Diseases in Pediatric Triage: A Comparison Between a General Emergency Department and a Pediatric Emergency Department.
In this study, the authors have compared data concerning the pediatric triage that is carried out in 2 large emergency departments (EDs) in Rome, one located in a university pediatric clinic with qualified staff and the other one in a general hospital with a high flow of users and pediatric admissions. ⋯ In the light of what we pointed out, it is necessary to implement the educational and informative quality of the triage operators and educators, planning periodical triage training courses to reduce errors. Particular emphasis must be placed on providing pediatric continuing education for nurses practicing in general ED.