Pediatric clinics of North America
-
Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Apr 1993
ReviewTransport and stabilization of the pediatric trauma patient.
The incidence of pediatric trauma continues to increase, presenting at almost every emergency department. Life-threatening injuries need to be cared for immediately, in whatever institution the patient presents. ⋯ Physicians caring for trauma patients in less specialized institutions must be aware of who to transfer to a trauma center. Effective stabilization and timely, safe transport are vital to reduce further injury.
-
Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Apr 1993
ReviewIntra-transport stabilization and management of the pediatric patient.
During the period of interhospital transfer, a critically ill child is at risk from the disease, the therapy, and the transfer itself. This risk can be minimized by good communication between the referring and receiving caretakers, careful evaluation and management, anticipation of complications, and a well-equipped and well-trained transport team providing a level of care as close as possible to that available at the receiving critical care unit.
-
The incidence, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of drowning and near-drowning are presented. Particular attention is paid to the neurologic and pulmonary pathophysiology indicators for monitoring and laboratory tests. Special attention to transportation of patients is given, and treatment in the field, emergency department, and pediatric intensive care unit is delineated.
-
Appropriate airway management is essential for the successful transport of sick children. Airway management begins with a thorough history and physical examination and may proceed to invasive therapeutic interventions. Successful care of the pediatric airway can be achieved only with a thorough knowledge of airway management technique and equipment. In addition, familiarity and understanding of the pharmacologic adjuvants to airway management and sedation will help to achieve the primary objective of any transport team, namely a safe and smooth transport of the critically ill child.
-
Air transport has become an integral element of pediatric transport programs. The use of both fixed-wing (airplane) and rotorwing (helicopter) aircraft has increased. ⋯ As the acuity of patients requiring air transport has increased, more sophisticated and specialized training in the areas of flight physiology and transport medicine is required. The limitations of air transport and air transport vehicles must be understood to assure that the optimal modality is selected for a specific transport.