Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Plasma β-Hydroxybutyrate for the Diagnosis of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in the Emergency Department.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common emergency department presentation of both new-onset and established diabetes mellitus (DM). β-Hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) provides a direct measure of the pathophysiologic derangement in DKA as compared with the nonspecific measurements of blood pH and bicarbonate. Our objective was to characterize the relationship between BOHB and DKA. ⋯ β-Hydroxybutyrate accurately predicts DKA in children and adolescents. More importantly, because plasma BOHB is the ideal biochemical marker of DKA, BOHB may provide a more optimal definition of DKA for management decisions and treatment targets.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Simulation and Active Learning Decreases Training Time of an Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment Course in Pilot Study in Malawi: Implications for Increasing Efficiency and Workforce Capacity in Low-Resource Settings.
The aim of the Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment (ETAT) plus trauma course is to improve the quality of care provided to infants and children younger than 5 years. The curriculum was revised and shortened from 5 to 2.5 days by enhancing simulation and active learning opportunities. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and value of the new short-form ETAT course by assessing postcourse knowledge and satisfaction. ⋯ Simulation and other active learning strategies reduced training time by 50% in the short-form ETAT course. Participants with and without previous ETAT training improved their knowledge after participating in the short-form ETAT course. Reduced training time is beneficial in settings already burdened by scarce human resources, may facilitate better access to in-service training, and build capacity while conserving resources in low-resource settings.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Multicenter StudyPediatric Intentional Self-poisoning Evaluated in the Emergency Department: An International Study.
Suicide is a growing public health problem during late childhood and adolescence. The leading method of suicide attempts in this age group is intentional self-poisoning. A first self-poisoning episode is a strong predictor of subsequent suicide and premature death. The objective of this study was to analyze the presentation and management of children younger than 18 years with intentional self-poisonings admitted to an emergency department (ED) in a global research network of pediatric EDs. ⋯ Most intentional self-poisoning presentations to pediatric EDs globally are related to intentional ingestions of therapeutic drugs at home by females. Best practices have to be translated into care to guarantee the best outcomes of these patients.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of Environmental Noise Levels on Endotracheal Intubation Performance Among Pediatric Emergency Providers: A Simulation Study.
The emergency department is a stressful workplace environment with environmental stimuli and distractions, including noise. This has potential effects on perceived stress for providers and critical procedure performance. ⋯ Intubation performance improved with attempt number, but no differences in performance were seen between noise levels. This suggests that rehearsing and practice impacts performance more than environmental noise levels.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Balanced Electrolyte Solutions or Normal Saline? Resuscitative Fluid Administration Practice in Swiss Pediatric Acute Care: A Cross-Sectional Study.
The ideal asanguineous intravenous fluid for volume resuscitation in children is controversially debated and clinical practice guidelines are scarce. Administration of large amounts of normal saline has been associated with complications including hyperchloremic acidosis, dysnatremia, neurologic damage, and fatality. ⋯ There is a distinct practice variation in intravenous fluid and blood product administration in children in Switzerland. Although NS is most frequently given, we observed a trend toward the use of balanced electrolyte solutions. Prospective studies are warranted to compare NS with balanced electrolyte solution (BES) in the pediatric acute care setting. We suggest that pediatric fluid administration guidelines and mass transfusion protocols are implemented to standardize this frequent intervention and minimize complications.