Pediatrics
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Standardized instructions: do they improve communication of discharge information from the emergency department?
To determine whether standardized instructions enhance communication of discharge information, we provided 197 parents of children in whom otitis media was diagnosed with one of three types of instruction at the time of discharge from a pediatric emergency department: (1) instruction by individual housestaff and medical students after consultation with an attending physician (control group); (2) standardized verbal instructions given by housestaff and students trained in their use (verbal group); or (3) the same instructions given to the verbal group, together with a type-written copy of the information to take home (verbal + written group). Prior to leaving the emergency department and, again, by phone, 1 and 3 days later, parents were questioned concerning the prescribed medication's name, dose, frequency, and duration of administration (medication data), three signs of improvement, and eight signs indicating the need for medical advice (worrisome signs). ⋯ Information regarding medication data was more likely to be communicated to parents in all groups than were signs of improvement or worrisome signs. The addition of written instructions to standardized verbal instructions did not improve parental recall of discharge information.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Midazolam versus fentanyl as premedication for painful procedures in children with cancer.
Premedication for painful procedures in children with cancer is not routinely used. Many medications used are only intermittently effective or require special equipment or anesthesia support. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, the safety and efficacy of midazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, were compared with the safety and efficacy of fentanyl, a short-acting narcotic analgesic. ⋯ It is concluded that premedication for painful procedures should be used routinely in children with cancer. With proper monitoring, fentanyl and midazolam can be used safely in the outpatient clinic setting. Midazolam was found to be the drug of preference for the majority of patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure facilitates extubation of very low birth weight neonates.
A prospective randomized trial was performed in 58 neonates comparing nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) vs oxyhood following extubation of neonates weighing less than 1 kg. All neonates had been ventilated for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome for at least 24 hours and weighed less than 1 kg at the time of extubation. Clinical criteria for elective extubation included improving pulmonary status, fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) less than or equal to 0.35, mean airway pressure less than or equal to 7 cm H2O, ventilator rate less than or equal to 20 breaths per minute, and weight at least 80% of birth weight. ⋯ There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Of the 23 neonates who failed oxyhood, 21 were then given a trial of NCPAP and 58% (12/21) remained extubated. Data indicate that using selected clinical criteria for elective extubation of neonates weighing less than 1 kg, NCPAP facilitates successful extubation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Immunogenicity of subcutaneous versus intramuscular Oka/Merck varicella vaccination in healthy children.
To compare the immunogenicity and safety of varicella vaccine by either subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, 166 healthy children aged 12 months to 10 years old who had no prior history of varicella were enrolled from two pediatric practices and randomly assigned to receive 0.5 mL of a single lot of varicella vaccine. Sera from the day of and 6 weeks postvaccination were tested for varicella antibody by gpELISA. Parents recorded clinical events occurring in the 6 weeks following vaccination. ⋯ Postvaccination geometric mean titer in the subcutaneous group was 6.9 +/- 7.0 gpELISA units and did not differ significantly from the geometric mean titer of 10.5 +/- 4.4 in the intramuscular group. Varicella vaccine was generally well tolerated by either route; 21% of both groups complained of reactions at the injection site and 7% had a varicella-like rash. Although varicella vaccine is recommended to be given subcutaneously, the results of this study indicate that inadvertent intramuscular administration of varicella vaccine is not reason for revaccination.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Increasing patient knowledge, satisfaction, and involvement: randomized trial of a communication intervention.
A brief educational intervention to promote effective communication between physicians, children, and parents during pediatric office visits was designed and tested. A randomized clinical trial involving 141 children (5- to 15-year-olds) tested the effectiveness of the intervention to improve the process and outcome of medical care. The intervention was contained in three brief videotapes (one each for parents, physicians, and patients) and in accompanying written materials. ⋯ Visit outcomes, assessed with standardized instruments and interviews, included children's rapport with physicians, children's anxiety, children's preference for an active health role, children's recall of information, parents' satisfaction with the medical visit, and physician satisfaction. Results indicated that physicians in the intervention group, compared with their counterparts in the control group, more often included children in discussions of medical recommendations (50% vs 29%, t = 2.39, P less than .05); that children in the intervention group, compared with control children, recalled more medication recommendations (77% vs 47%, P less than .01) and reported greater satisfaction and preference for an active health role; and that the intervention and control groups did not differ in parent satisfaction, physician satisfaction, or child anxiety. The results suggest that a brief educational intervention administered during waiting room time can positively impact physician-child rapport and children's preference for an active role in health and their acquisition of medical information.