Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 2007
ReviewNovel applications of ultrasound in pediatric emergency medicine.
A new field, termed emergency ultrasound (EUS), has recently been established. The past decade saw rapid development in the field of EUS in adult patients, especially as performed by emergency medicine physicians. Ultrasound imaging offers several advantages over traditional radiographic techniques, many of which are especially relevant to patients in the pediatric emergency department. ⋯ In addition, we will review recent developments in this field. It is our goal that the reader will gain an understanding of the strengths and limitations of this instrument and will therefore be in a position to plan their own program in EUS in pediatrics. Furthermore, it is hoped that this review will serve as an impetus for innovative research, to refine and extend the indications of this modality to benefit patients in the pediatric emergency department.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 2007
Comparative StudyPediatric and neonatal transport teams with and without a physician: a comparison of outcomes and interventions.
To determine whether a transport team composed of advanced practice nurses could function as effectively as a physician-nurse team, as measured by patient outcome. ⋯ Outcomes for the 2 types of teams were equivalent. Nonphysician teams responded more quickly and spent less time at the referring facility.
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Pediatric emergency care · Feb 2007
Case ReportsGravel gut: small bowel perforation due to a blunt ingested foreign body.
The ingestion of foreign bodies remains a common occurrence in children. Most ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously, although up to 1% will result in intestinal perforation. ⋯ We report a case of ileal perforation due to a blunt ingested foreign body in a child in whom the diagnosis was unclear until laparotomy. This case highlights the difficulties in managing pediatric ingested foreign bodies, including the risk of perforation even with a blunt object.
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Pediatric emergency care · Jan 2007
Redefining the community pediatric hospitalist: the combined pediatric ED/inpatient unit.
The use of pediatric hospitalists in community hospitals has increased over the past decade in response to the desire to provide high-quality pediatric care. Many hospitals are challenged to create financially independent and productive programs. ⋯ Implementation of a combined PED/inpatient unit was associated with increased billing by hospitalists, increased satisfaction scores of ED patients, and decreased ED throughput times. Pediatric hospitalist programs that want to improve financial and patient outcomes in a community setting could consider adopting the combined unit approach.