• E Su, N C Mann, M McCall, and J R Hedges.
• Oregon Health Sciences University, School of Medicine, Portland, OR, USA. sue@ohsu.edu
• Prehosp Emerg Care. 1997 Jul 1;1(3):123-7.

Objectives1) To perform a statewide analysis of the frequency of major pediatric trauma cases and the use of resuscitation skills by paramedics (EMT-Ps). 2) To determine whether EMT-Ps use resuscitation skills less frequently for injured children than for older patients.MethodsStudy DesignRetrospective, database analysis of major trauma cases.Setting And Population1995 statewide trauma registry data for patients with EMT-P scene care.ObservationsThe database included patient demographics, field vital signs, field procedures [e.g., intravenous (i.v.) line placement, chest compressions, needle thoracostomy, endotracheal intubation], field medication, and vital signs at ED presentation.Data AnalysisPatients aged < or = 12 years ("pediatric") were compared with those aged > 12 years ("older"). Analyses of patients with tachycardia, hypotension, and obtundation were performed using chi 2 analysis (alpha = 0.05).ResultsOf 3,502 trauma patients managed by an EMT-P, only 297 (8%) were aged < or = 12 years. Fewer pediatric patients (18%) than adults (27%) had an injury severity scale score > or = 16, p < 0.005. The frequency of most resuscitation skills and the administration of medications were not statistically different between patient groups. However, i.v.s were four times more likely to be placed in adults (76%) than in pediatric patients (42%), p < 0.001. Subanalyses indicated fewer pediatric patients with tachycardia (p = 0.02) or hypotension (p = 0.02) received an i.v., compared with adults who had similar physiologic parameters. Obtunded patients were equally likely to receive endotracheal intubation, although the procedure was rarely used (20%).ConclusionsEMT-Ps infrequently manage seriously injured children. i.v.s are less frequently placed in pediatric trauma patients, even in the setting of physiologic abnormalities. The contributions of these field procedures to patient outcomes should be evaluated further.

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