Pediatric clinics of North America
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This article explores the use of physician extenders in the pediatric ICU setting. The Libby Zion case is highlighted because of its impact on the use of manpower in the hospital setting. ⋯ Findings indicate a positive impact within the pediatric intensive care setting with the use of NPs and PAs. The American Academy of Pediatrics has supported the use of physician extenders in the care of hospitalized children.
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Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Jun 2008
ReviewVentilation strategies and adjunctive therapy in severe lung disease.
Respiratory failure caused by severe lung disease is a common reason for admission to the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. Efforts to decrease morbidity and mortality have fueled investigations into innovative methods of ventilation, kinder gentler ventilation techniques, pharmacotherapeutic adjuncts, and extracorporeal life support modalities. This article discusses the rationale for and experience with some of these techniques.
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Decision analysis is a simulation, model-based research technique in which investigators combine information from a variety of sources to create a mathematical model representing a clinical decision. This tool can be used to address many clinical dilemmas in pediatric hematology for which traditional clinical trials are unfeasible or impossible. This article outlines the basic steps of performing and analyzing a decision analysis tree and describes several decision analyses published in the field of pediatric hematology and how to evaluate and judge the decision analysis literature.
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Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Feb 2008
ReviewIntegration of palliative care practices into the ongoing care of children with cancer: individualized care planning and coordination.
Most parents of children with cancer have dual primary goals: a primary cancer-directed goal of cure and a primary comfort-related goal of lessening suffering. Early introduction of palliative care principles and practices into their child's treatment is respectful and supportive of these goals. ⋯ Application of the model helps clinicians to generate a comprehensive individualized care plan that is implemented through Individualized Care Coordination processes as detailed here. Clinicians' strong desire to provide compassionate, competent, and sensitive care to the seriously ill child and the child's family can be effectively translated into clinical practice through these processes.