Pediatric clinics of North America
-
A great variety of problems referable to the cardiovascular system can prompt a visit to the pediatric emergency room. From the initial presentation of congenital heart disease, to the subsequent life-long management of these patients, to miscellaneous problems like Kawasaki disease and chest pain, the front-line pediatrician must be skilled in the recognition and early management of myriad complaints. This article focuses on information that can assist the emergency pediatrician in the evaluation and treatment of the cardiac patient from arrival in the emergency room until transfer of care to the pediatric cardiologist or inpatient staff.
-
Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Oct 1992
ReviewTriage, initial assessment, and early treatment of the pediatric trauma patient.
It should be clear from this overview of triage, assessment, and initial care that early involvement by the leader of the trauma team is essential. Because operative intervention is so often necessary, the trauma team leader should be a surgeon with specialized training in trauma. The complex decision-making process involves prioritizing approaches by emergency room physicians, pediatricians, and surgical specialties in patients with multiple injuries. Even with single-system injury a rapid and logical approach to assessment and treatment is necessary in light of an overall longer term management plan.