Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 1998
ReviewPediatric emergencies in children with psychiatric conditions.
This article reviews special considerations for children with psychiatric conditions when they present with pediatric emergencies. The review spans a variety of scientific disciplines and attempts to integrate information that is not usually available to the emergency practitioner from a single source; the intent is not to be exhaustive on any particular topic but to organize what is most relevant to pediatric emergency care. Topics that are discussed include: 1) a brief review of true psychiatric emergencies, 2) side effects of psychotropic medications that have direct implications for emergency assessment and management, 3) neurologic disorders that present with psychiatric manifestations, and 4) psychiatric disorders that present with somatic manifestations.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 1998
GuidelineGuidelines for pediatric equipment and supplies for emergency departments. Committee on Pediatric Equipment and Supplies for Emergency Departments, National Emergency Medical Services for Children Resource Alliance.
Appropriate care for ill and injured pediatric patients cannot be given if emergency departments (EDs) are not adequately equipped. Although guidelines for equipment and supplies for EDs have been published by national organizations in pediatric emergency textbooks and by state emergency medical services for children projects, until now there has been no consensus on what constitutes minimum equipment and supplies to care for pediatric patients in the ED setting.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 1998
Comparative StudyNonurgent use of the pediatric emergency department during the day.
To evaluate the pattern and reasons for nonurgent use of the pediatric emergency department (PED) during regular office hours and why primary care physicians (PCP) approve such visits. ⋯ Communication between the patient and PCP prior to the PED visit is poor in the study population. Convenience and physician workload appear to be important factors in the choice to use the PED for nonurgent problems.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 1998
Case ReportsNeurologic injuries associated with all-terrain vehicles and recommendations for protective measures for the pediatric population.
To present data and case studies illustrating the danger, especially in the pediatric population, of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, and to provide recommendations for pediatricians on how to educate parents concerning ATVs. ⋯ Although perceived as recreational toys, ATVs can be extremely unsafe, especially for children and adolescents; pediatricians should educate parents and patients on the dangers of riding these vehicles.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 1998
Planning model of resource utilization in an academic pediatric emergency department.
This study describes a field observation study and use of simulation to quantify the effect of patient arrival rate and physician practices on physician idle time and patient wait time. The observation study measured actual service (diagnosis, therapy, and charting) times for 126 patients. Subsequently, a FORTRAN simulation model examined effects of physician practices and patient arrival rate on physician utilization and patient wait time. ⋯ Overall, most patients benefit from shorter visits. Finally, the study suggested maximum rather than average wait time be considered as a measure of emergency department capacity and quality of service provided. Although average wait times seemed reasonable, maximum wait times were at times quite long and could impact both physician's and patient's perceptions of service quality.