Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2004
Comparative StudyThe use of restraint for pediatric psychiatric patients in emergency departments.
To identify current practice and staff education regarding the use of restraint in emergency departments for children undergoing psychiatric evaluations and to compare restraint practice and education in emergency medicine residencies (EMRs) and pediatric emergency medicine fellowships (PEMFs). ⋯ Restraint, both physical and chemical, is a widely, but uncommonly used, intervention for pediatric psychiatric patients in emergency departments. Many EMRs and PEMFs do not teach residents about restraint.
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Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2004
ReviewMisdiagnoses of ovarian masses in children and adolescents.
The purpose of this study is to describe the presenting signs and symptoms and the presumptive diagnoses of children who were admitted to our children's hospital with ovarian masses. ⋯ Ovarian masses often present with abdominal complaints that can mimic other diseases, in particular, appendicitis. Although considered relatively uncommon, in our hospital, they comprised one fifth as many admissions as did appendicitis in females during the study period. In females that present with a clinical picture consistent with appendicitis, ovarian masses should be considered in the differential and a computed tomography scan or ultrasound should be obtained.
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Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2004
Review Case ReportsUnintentional ingestion of potassium permanganate.
This case of an unintentional ingestion of an unknown amount of potassium permanganate by a 5-year-old boy, and its sequelae, exemplifies the potential danger of this poison. Due to the wide availability of this agent in over-the-counter preparations and the high potential for serious sequelae, clinicians should be aware of the actions of this agent, as well as the diagnostic and management features associated with it.
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To determine the incidence of return visits (RVs), types of RVs, and factors associated with RVs to a pediatric emergency department (ED). ⋯ Similarities between our pediatric ED RV rate and other published research implies that benchmarking and quality improvement tools for RV can be used and compared in both pediatric and general EDs. Focusing on systems to call patients back to the ED when necessary may be an efficient way to reduce medical error and adverse patient outcomes.
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Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2004
Review Case ReportsChild abuse in infants with proximal physeal injuries of the femur.
Child abuse has been recognized to be a common cause of femur fractures in infants. Fractures of the proximal femoral physis in abused infants have been less emphasized. Our report seeks to highlight this infrequent but clinically important inflicted injury. ⋯ Proximal femoral physeal injuries occur infrequently in infants but often result from abuse. Diagnosis may be difficult due to lack of femoral head ossification before 4 months of age and clinical findings suggesting developmental dysplasia of the hip. Current imaging modalities can differentiate physeal injuries from developmental dysplasia of the hip. Early recognition and treatment can minimize sequelae.