Archives of disease in childhood
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Multicenter Study
A paediatric telecardiology service for district hospitals in south-east England: an observational study.
To compare caseloads of new patients assessed by paediatric cardiologists face-to-face or during teleconferences, and assess NHS costs for the alternative referral arrangements. ⋯ Paediatric cardiology centres with small cadres of specialists are under pressure to cope with ever-expanding caseloads of new patients with suspected anomalies. Innovative use of telecardiology alongside conventional outreach services should suitably, and economically, enhance access to these specialists.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomised trial to evaluate prescribing accuracy when using the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel.
To compare the accuracy of prescribing analgesic and anti-emetic drugs to children when using either the 2006 BNF for children (BNFC) or a new device, the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel. ⋯ The Paediatric Analgesia Wheel provides a time-efficient method of prescribing commonly used analgesic and anti-emetic drugs to children and results in improved accuracy when compared with using the BNFC.
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To examine the reliability of "low-risk" criteria (LRC) to exclude serious bacterial infection (SBI) in febrile neonates (< or =28 days), according to age in weeks. ⋯ LRC are not sufficiently reliable to exclude the presence of SBI, including bacteraemia and meningitis in febrile neonates of all ages. All febrile neonates should therefore be hospitalised, undergo a full "sepsis evaluation" and receive empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy.
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To examine the transport times of immediate and emergency retrievals for neonatal and paediatric patients retrieved by ground and air from general hospitals to tertiary centres. ⋯ Establishing reference times for the transport process is a valuable quality assurance tool. Such data will be valuable for staff and budgeting purposes and for evaluating new interventions that reduce retrieval times.
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This study looks at whether UK specialist registrars (SpRs) are involved in teaching and meeting their educational obligations. A questionnaire was distributed to all 133 paediatric SpRs in the region. 92% responded (122/133). All SpRs reported doing some teaching with nearly all teaching junior trainees and students. ⋯ Developing SpRs as educators was felt to be best achieved through mandatory training (61%, 74) and themed regional SpR training days (61%, 74). SpRs are making an important contribution to education. Teaching competences should be included in the personal development plan of all trainees and rostered time allocated to SpRs specifically to teach.