Articles: emergency-department.
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In a video-based study of rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in a pediatric emergency department (PED), 33% of children experienced oxyhemoglobin desaturation (SpO2 < 90%). To inform targeted improvement interventions, we planned multivariable analyses to identify patient and process variables (including time-based data around performance of key RSI process elements uniquely available from video review) associated with desaturation during pediatric RSI. ⋯ For children 24 months of age or younger undergoing RSI in a PED, respiratory indication for intubation, esophageal intubation, and duration of laryngoscopy (both individual and cumulative) were associated with desaturation; the number of attempts was not. Interventions to limit attempt duration in the youngest children may improve the safety of RSI.
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Observational Study
Factors associated with the length of stay of patients discharged from emergency department in France.
The length of stay in the emergency department (ED) has been proposed as an indicator of performance in many countries. We conducted a survey of length of stay in two large areas in France and tested the hypothesis that patient and ED-related variables may influence it. ⋯ We observed that the length of stay in the ED needs to be stratified by case mix and the total number of visits of the ED.
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Comparative Study
A retrospective comparison of ketamine dosing regimens for pediatric procedural sedation.
Ketamine is a dissociative agent often used in pediatric emergency departments for procedural sedation. Institutions commonly use either 1.5 mg/kg (k1.5) or 1 mg/kg (k1.0) as intravenous dosing. We sought to determine whether patients receiving k1.0 require more administered doses during sedation than patients receiving k1.5. Furthermore, we examined whether differences existed between k1.0 and k1.5 in the total dosage, total mg/kg, and time to recovery. ⋯ Sedations using k1.5 require fewer doses, lower mg/kg administered, but a higher total dose than k1.0. No difference was found in the rate of adverse events between the groups. Our findings suggest that ketamine sedations can be completed safely with one dose when patients are initially dosed at 1.5 mg/kg.
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Pediatric emergency care · Apr 2015
Case ReportsIntranasal midazolam for the emergency management of hypercyanotic spells in tetralogy of fallot.
The case of a 2-month-old boy with previously diagnosed tetralogy of Fallot who was brought to the emergency department with a hypercyanotic spell is described. Because partly of the difficulty of intravenous placement, especially in an infant crying with marked hypernea and deeply cyanotic, intranasal midazolam was administered. ⋯ Sedation is an important step in the management of patients with cyanotic spells. Intranasal midazolam offers an alternative use as an initial method of calming the child that was effective in a patient with a severe cyanotic spell because of tetralogy of Fallot in the emergency department.
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To examine the injury patterns, characteristics, and outcomes of older adults presenting with minor injuries compared with younger adults. ⋯ Older adults with minor injuries have different injury patterns, higher acuity, longer length of stay, and lower discharge rates compared with younger adults. Clinicians may need to modify their approach and differential diagnoses when treating older adults with minor injuries. Further research is needed to explore the reasons for these differences and whether older adults have different service needs compared with younger adults with minor injuries.