Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2017
Preliminary Report - The Long Leg Cast With a Pelvic Band: A Novel Approach to Treatment of Pediatric Femur Fractures.
The aim of the study was to describe the long leg cast with a pelvic band (LLCPB), a novel alternative to spica casting for treating femur fractures in patients aged 6 months to 6 years which requires no casting above the waist, allows for hip flexion adjustments after it is applied, and does not require an operating room for placement. ⋯ The long leg cast with a pelvic band seems to be an acceptable treatment for children aged 8 months to 4 years with spiral femur fractures. This technique has significant advantages over traditional and modified spica casts including allowing for uninhibited toileting, weight bearing on the unaffected leg, adjustment of hip flexion at any point after placement, and easier access to the perineum, abdomen, and chest for hygienic and medical purposes. Furthermore, treatment with an LLCPB presents significant potential for cost savings.
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2017
Case ReportsAn Unusual Cause of Back Pain in a 10-Year-Old Girl.
A 10-year-old girl with a 2-week history of atraumatic back pain presented to the emergency department with difficulty ambulating and a history of 2 episodes of urinary incontinence in the past week. Her examination was significant for pain with movement, tenderness to palpation in the lower thoracic spine, and no neurological deficits. In this case, the child was found to have a Schmorl node at T8 in the superior aspect of the vertebral body. ⋯ The diagnosis was made by magnetic resonance imaging. The child's symptoms significantly resolved with ibuprofen anti-inflammatory therapy. In children with atraumatic back pain lasting greater than 2 weeks with a sudden increase in severity and associated with a neurological deficit, advanced imaging is strongly recommended.
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2017
Consideration of Cost of Care in Pediatric Emergency Transfer-An Opportunity for Improvement.
Pediatric interhospital transfers are an economic burden to the health care, especially when deemed unnecessary. Physicians may be unaware of the cost implications of pediatric emergency transfers. A cost analysis may be relevant to reduce cost. ⋯ Significant number of transfers was discharged 12 hours or less without any additional intervention in PED. Fixed charges contribute to majority of total charges. Cost saving can be achieved by preventing unnecessary transfer.
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2017
Predictive Variables for Abnormal Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Testing and Potential Cost Savings in Children Receiving Pediatric Emergency Department Care.
The aim of this study was to determine variables predictive of abnormal comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) results in pediatric emergency department (PED) patients and the potential cost savings of a basic metabolic panel (BMP) versus a CMP. ⋯ Limiting testing to a BMP for patients with none of the 12 clinical variables has the potential annual cost savings of $7125.
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Pediatric emergency care · May 2017
Comparative StudyPredicting Flow in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Are Holidays Lighter?
The aim of this study was to determine whether patient volume in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED) can be predicted based on holidays and thus aid in staffing and resource allocation. ⋯ Fewer patient visits on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days, as well as during the late afternoon/evening on several other holidays, point to the possibility of small adjustments to staffing in ways that can more efficiently balance demand with available resources.