Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 1996
ReviewThe ED on line: computerization of the pediatric emergency department.
Computers are becoming an increasingly important tool in the management of emergency departments across the United States. Many emergency physicians are unfamiliar with computer systems and are uncomfortable with the idea of implementing computer technology into their departments. This article summarizes the benefits of computerized patient tracking systems and outlines the process by which such a program can be selected and incorporated into an emergency center.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 1996
Alterations of end-tidal carbon dioxide during the intrahospital transport of children.
To determine the effect of manual ventilation during intrahospital transport on end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations in children. ⋯ Unintentional hyperventilation occurs during the intrahospital transport of children. End-tidal CO2 values less than 25 torr were noted 62% of the time.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 1996
Comparative StudyNoninvasive capnometry in a pediatric population with respiratory emergencies.
This study was designed to investigate the reliability, safety, and efficacy of measuring end tidal CO2 (ETCO2) in nonintubated pediatric patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) with respiratory emergencies. ⋯ Dependable ETCO2 values can be obtained using an oral/nasal capnometry circuit, and they consistently correlate with CapCO2 in a pediatric population with upper and lower respiratory diseases. Noninvasive ETCO2 analysis is safe and reliable within the limitations of this study group. Further exploration is necessary to determine the value of this technology in assisting with clinical decisions in the patient with impending respiratory failure.
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Pediatric emergency care · Aug 1996
Prediction of childhood drowning and near-drowning morbidity and mortality.
(a) Evaluate the presenting hemodynamic status and neurologic function of a series of warm water submersion injuries. (b) To ascertain the importance of the timing of the neurologic examination. (c) To identify risk factors that predict which patients will not return to presubmersion status. ⋯ Hemodynamic status in the ED and neurologic status in the PICU are highly predictive of outcome. On arrival to the ED, the cardiovascular status is more predictive of abnormal outcome than neurologic status. Poor neurologic outcome appears inevitable for warm water submersion victims who are asystolic at ED arrival and remain comatose for more than 200 minutes.
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This case report of camphor ingestion in a 15-month-old child illustrates the potential toxicity of a common household product. Details of the patient presentation are reported along with a review of the literature. ⋯ Readily available medicated ointments containing camphor have potential for serious or fatal consequences when ingested by children.