Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2024
The Current State of Advanced Pediatric Emergency Medicine Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Training: Exploring Recent POCUS Fellowship Application Trends and Alternate Training Models.
This study aims to assess the current state of advanced pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training in North America, including trends in dedicated PEM POCUS fellowships and alternative advanced POCUS training pathways, to better guide future educational efforts within the field. ⋯ As POCUS use within PEM evolves, a growing number of advanced training options are being developed. Understanding the motivations and barriers for pursuing advanced POCUS training can help to shape these options going forward, to ensure the experience incorporated within each model meets the needs of trainees, the needs of PEM divisions, and the future needs of our field.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2024
Impact of COVID-19 and Public Health Measures on Positive Suicide Screens Among Emergency Department Children.
The aim of this study was to examine the association between prolonged time in the COVID-19 pandemic and rates of positive routine suicide screens among youth accessing healthcare in the pediatric emergency department. ⋯ Cumulative time in the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased positive suicide screens in children. School reopening and normalization of social routines preceded an observed negative trend in rates of positive suicide screens in Y2 of the pandemic. This study demonstrates fluctuating trends in suicide screen positivity, potentially influenced by social distancing and public health measures. Our study may support that maintaining social connectedness and access to school-based or community resources may be a protective factor for youth suicide risk during a pandemic or other natural occurrence.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2024
Characteristics of Intracranial Injuries in Pediatric Patients Following Blunt Head Trauma.
Pediatric head trauma is a frequent reason for presentation to the emergency department. Despite this, there are few reports on specific characteristics and injury patterns in head injured children. The goal of this study was to evaluate head injury patterns in children with blunt head injury and their prevalence by age group. ⋯ Serious injuries requiring intervention were rarely encountered in pediatric patients experiencing blunt head trauma. Mechanisms of injury, type of injury, and rates of intervention varied between developmental age groups.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2024
Changes in Urine Drug Screen Sensitivity in Adolescent Opioid Presentations to the Emergency Department.
Adolescent overdoses have been rising over the past decade. Emergency department (ED) visits for both acute overdoses and for adolescents in opioid withdrawal have risen post-COVID. Urine drug screens have poor utility in the ED but are routinely obtained for medical clearance and in the management of patients with substance use disorder. Our primary goal was to measure the sensitivity of the opiate urine drug assay over time in opioid-related presentations to the ED. ⋯ Opiate screen positivity decreased the last 9 years and may reflect wider use of fentanyl among this population starting in 2020.