Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2017
Comparative StudyImaging for Suspected Appendicitis: Variation Between Academic and Private Practice Models.
Little is known regarding the effect of different emergency department (ED) practice models on computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) utilization for suspected appendicitis in the ED and through the potential inpatient hospital stay. ⋯ In this study of 2 PEDs with differing practice models, we identified a dramatic difference in imaging utilization among patients with suspected appendicitis.
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Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2017
Variation in Computed Tomography Use for Evaluation of Head Injury in a Pediatric Emergency Department.
Recent research has shown significant variation in rates of computed tomography (CT) use among pediatric hospital emergency departments (ED) for evaluation of head injured children. We examined the rates of CT use by individual ED attending physicians for evaluation of head injured children in a pediatric hospital ED. ⋯ Physicians at our pediatric hospital ED varied in the use of CT for the evaluation of head-injured children.
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Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2017
Evaluating the Impact of the Healthy Beginnings System of Care Model on Pediatric Emergency Department Utilization.
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether enrollment in the Healthy Beginnings System of Care (SOC) model is associated with a decrease in emergency department (ED) visits among children aged 6 months to 5.5 years. ⋯ Enrollment in the SOC model does not appear to decrease the rate of ED visits among enrolled children. Additional strategies, such as education sessions on ED utilization, are needed to reduce the rate of ED utilization among SOC-enrolled children.
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Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2017
Current Approach to the Diagnosis and Emergency Department Management of Appendicitis in Children.
Concerns about radiation exposure have led to a decrease in the use of computed tomography in suspected appendicitis, with increased reliance on ultrasound. Children with suspected appendicitis should be risk stratified using a combination of clinical signs and symptoms, white blood cell count, and ultrasound in order to guide further evaluation and management. Magnetic resonance imaging is a promising imaging modality but remains costly. Ongoing research is evaluating the role of nonoperative management in children with confirmed appendicitis.