Pediatric emergency care
-
Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2009
Comparative StudyTraumatic epidural hematomas in children and adolescents: outcome analysis in 39 consecutive unselected cases.
Despite early diagnosis of traumatic epidural hematomas (EDHs) in children, mortality remained quite high in recent series. The aims of this analysis were to review the cause and outcome of pediatric EDH nowadays and to discuss outcome-related variables in a large consecutive series of surgically treated EDH in children. ⋯ Regardless of the EDH size, the clinical status of the patients, the abnormal pupillary findings, or the cause of injury, the outcome and prognosis of the patients with EDH are excellent.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEffect of high-fidelity simulation on Pediatric Advanced Life Support training in pediatric house staff: a randomized trial.
To assess the effect of high-fidelity simulation (SIM) on cognitive performance after a training session involving several mock resuscitations designed to teach and reinforce Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) algorithms. ⋯ The use of high-fidelity simulation in a PALS training session resulted in improved cognitive performance by pediatric house staff. Future studies should address skill and knowledge decays and team dynamics, and clearly defined and reproducible outcome measures should be sought.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyRandomized controlled trial of ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheter placement versus traditional techniques in difficult-access pediatric patients.
We hypothesized that the use of ultrasound guidance would improve the success rate of peripheral intravenous catheter placement in pediatric patients with difficult access in a pediatric emergency department (ED). Our secondary hypotheses were that ultrasound guidance would reduce the number of attempts, the number of needle redirections, and the overall time to catheter placement. ⋯ In a sample of pediatric ED patients with difficult access, ultrasound-guided intravenous cannulation required less overall time, fewer attempts, and fewer needle redirections than traditional approaches.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2009
ReviewNewer agents for rapid sequence intubation: etomidate and rocuronium.
The emergency airway management of children and adolescents with critical illnesses may necessitate rapid sequence intubation with a sedating and a neuromuscular blocking agent. Etomidate and rocuronium have become increasingly popular for the sedation and paralysis, respectively, of pediatric patients in rapid sequence intubation, and there are many advantages to the use of both agents. ⋯ Rocuronium can produce optimal intubating conditions without the serious complications that can accompany succinylcholine. The available evidence supports the safety of etomidate and rocuronium in rapid sequence intubation but also suggests that more prospective studies are needed in pediatric patients.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Mar 2009
Comparative StudyPediatric procedural sedation by a dedicated nonanesthesiology pediatric sedation service using propofol.
To evaluate the success and dosing requirements of propofol in children for prolonged procedural sedation by a nonanesthesiology-based sedation service. ⋯ Although it seems that the mean dosing of propofol does not vary significantly with age, there is greater variability in induction dosage for those younger than 1 year and in maintenance dosing for those 7 years or older. The results and general dosing parameters may assist pediatric subspecialists in using propofol for prolonged procedural sedation.