Pediatrics
-
Our goal was to assess the degree of pediatric preparedness of emergency departments in the United States. ⋯ Pediatric preparedness of hospital emergency departments demonstrates opportunities for improvement.
-
Patient safety is a priority for all health care professionals, including those who work in emergency care. Unique aspects of pediatric care may increase the risk of medical error and harm to patients, especially in the emergency care setting. Although errors can happen despite the best human efforts, given the right set of circumstances, health care professionals must work proactively to improve safety in the pediatric emergency care system. Specific recommendations to improve pediatric patient safety in the emergency department are provided in this policy statement.
-
To report a tertiary care hospital's 30-year experience with the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of infant botulism in the PICU before and after the availability of Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous. ⋯ The use of Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous significantly decreased the length of ICU stay, length of mechanical ventilation, and overall hospital stay in children with infant botulism.
-
The goal was to determine, in children with myocarditis, the frequency of various presenting symptoms and the sensitivity of clinical and laboratory investigations routinely available in the emergency department. ⋯ Children with myocarditis present with symptoms that can be mistaken for other types of illnesses; respiratory presentations were most common. When clinical suspicion of myocarditis exists, chest radiography alone is an insufficient screening test. All children should undergo electrocardiography. Aspartate aminotransferase testing may be a useful adjunctive investigation.
-
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of bedside ultrasonography in verifying endotracheal tube placement in the pediatric population. ⋯ Bedside ultrasonography can be used to accurately and rapidly determine the presence of the endotracheal tube within the trachea in pediatric patients.