Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Jul 2022
The Outcome of Cerumen Removal in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
Cerumen obstructs the visualization of the tympanic membrane (TM) in up to 40% of children, sometimes posing a challenge to rule out the diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM) as the source of otalgia (for verbal children), irritability, fever, and febrile seizures. We aim to determine the rate at which removing the cerumen from blocking the view of the TM could change the management of these patients in the pediatric emergency department (PED). ⋯ Cerumen removal changes the management of children in the PED who present with a possible diagnosis of an ear infection. Cerumen removal could avoid unnecessary laboratory and imaging studies, which could save time, costs, and suffering.
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Pediatric emergency care · Jul 2022
Pediatric Softball Injuries Presenting to Emergency Departments.
This study sought to characterize the mechanisms of injury responsible for common softball-related injuries in recent years. ⋯ Being hit by the ball was the most common mechanism of injury, especially in the head/neck region, and shoulder/elbow injuries increase with athlete age. Coaches and leagues may consider mandating helmets for infielders and pitch counts for pitchers, especially among adolescent athletes.
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Pediatric emergency care · Jul 2022
Television-Related Head Injuries in Children: A Secondary Analysis of a Large Cohort Study of Head-Injured Children in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network.
The objective of the study was to describe the epidemiology, cranial computed tomography (CT) findings, and clinical outcomes of children with blunt head trauma after television tip-over injuries. ⋯ Television tip-overs may cause ciTBIs in children, including death, and the most severe injuries occur in children 5 years or younger. These injuries may be preventable by simple preventive measures such as anchoring television sets with straps.
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Pediatric emergency care · Jul 2022
Variation in Prehospital Protocols for Pediatric Respiratory Distress Management in the United States.
This study aimed to compare statewide emergency medical services protocols for the management of pediatric respiratory distress. ⋯ All included states had specific recommendations for the management of pediatric respiratory distress. There was consistency in recommendations for albuterol use for wheezing and epinephrine use for anaphylaxis. However, there was wide variability in other uses for epinephrine, steroid administration, continuous positive airway pressure use, and specific treatments for croup and epiglottitis. The findings of this study provide a base for important future evidence-based protocol developments and changes in prehospital pediatric respiratory distress treatment.
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Pediatric emergency care · Jul 2022
Evaluating Provider Documentation of Suicide Risk Factors Among Youth Screening Positive for Suicide Risk in a Pediatric Emergency Department.
Screening for suicidal ideation in the pediatric emergency department (ED) enhances recognition of suicidality among patients presenting with a nonmental health complaint. Little is known about the assessment of suicide risk factors and disposition among these patients. This study aimed to evaluate pediatric ED providers' documentation of suicide risk factors in this population. ⋯ Pediatric ED providers do not routinely document risk factors for suicide in medical patients screening at risk. Although the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions is an important initial screen, a standardized secondary risk factor assessment is necessary for a more complete risk stratification for patients with suicidal ideation.