Articles: pediatrics.
-
The outcome from cardiopulmonary arrest in children in the prehospital and hospital setting is generally poor. The event that compromises the cardiac status is often respiratory embarrassment, and the presenting rhythms are often bradyarrhythmias and asystole. Emergency medical services (EMS) systems have primarily an adult focus and may not be organized to manage optimally the critically ill and injured child. ⋯ There are two levels of receiving facilities: Emergency Departments Approved for Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care Centers. The system is voluntary and has 85% of the hospitals in compliance with the guidelines. Early recognition of the prearrest state, improved training, and equipping of prehospital care personnel, development of EMS services for children, dissemination of an advanced pediatric life support course, as well as research in pediatric CPR may improve the outcome of resuscitation in the pediatric population.
-
Emergency medical services have been organized to meet the needs of adult patients. A study was undertaken to determine the training in pediatrics offered to paramedics and emergency medical technicians throughout the United States and the equipment carried by prehospital care provider agencies. Most training (50%) takes place at colleges and universities and the remainder at hospitals and emergency medical services agencies. ⋯ Some programs offer no training in pediatric emergency medicine. The most common deficiencies in pediatric equipment included backboards, pediatric drugs, resuscitation masks, and small intravenous catheters. More attention to training and equipping prehospital personnel for pediatric emergencies may help to improve outcomes of out-of-hospital resuscitations of infants and children.
-
Treatment of pediatric trauma begins at the moment of injury (with the arrival of the first person who assists the victim), continues through transport of the patient to the hospital and administration of definitive medical care, and concludes with a rehabilitation program that is aimed at returning the child to a pre-accident life-style. Community hospitals can reduce morbidity and mortality associated with pediatric trauma by implementing specific organizational concepts and procedures used at established pediatric trauma centers. ⋯ Morbidity and mortality could be further reduced with a national system of comprehensive regional treatment centers designed specifically for children. PAs who are familiar with the specific needs of seriously injured children can significantly influence community and professional responses to this growing area of medicine.