Pediatr Crit Care Me
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2007
ReviewDexmedetomidine: applications in pediatric critical care and pediatric anesthesiology.
To provide a general descriptive account of the end-organ effects of dexmedetomidine and to provide an evidence-based review of the literature regarding its use in infants and children. ⋯ The literature contains reports of the use of dexmedetomidine in approximately 800 pediatric patients. Given its favorable sedative and anxiolytic properties combined with its limited effects on hemodynamic and respiratory function, there is growing interest in and reports of its use in the pediatric population in various clinical scenarios.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2007
Determining pediatric intensive care unit quality indicators for measuring pediatric intensive care unit safety.
The measurement of quality and patient safety continues to gain increasing importance, as these measures are used for both healthcare improvement and accountability. Pediatric care, particularly that provided in pediatric intensive care units, is sufficiently different from adult care that specific metrics are required. BODY: Pediatric critical care requires specific measures for both quality and safety. Factors that may affect measures are identified, including data sources, risk adjustment, intended use, reliability, validity, and the usability of measures. The 18-month process to develop seven pediatric critical care measures proposed for national use is described. Specific patient safety metrics that can be applied to pediatric intensive care units include error-, injury-, and risk-based approaches. ⋯ Measurement of pediatric critical care quality and safety will likely continue to evolve. Opportunities exist for intensivists to contribute and lead in the development and refinement of measures.
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Pediatr Crit Care Me · Mar 2007
Validity and reliability of the Behavioural Observational Pain Scale for postoperative pain measurement in children 1-7 years of age.
Pain measurement is a necessity in pain treatment but can be difficult in young children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Behavioural Observational Pain Scale (BOPS) as a postoperative pain measurement scale for children aged 1-7 yrs. The scale assesses three elements of pain behaviors: facial expression, verbalization, and body position. ⋯ With BOPS, the caretaker can evaluate and document pain with high reliability and validity and thereby improve postoperative pain treatment in preschool children. The simple scoring system makes BOPS easy to incorporate in a postoperative unit.