1
|
Mikolich B, Shank G, Thomas D. LifeFlight Case Studies: Lessons Learned From Notable Flights. Crit Care Nurs Q 2024; 47:126-142. [PMID: 38419176 DOI: 10.1097/cnq.0000000000000503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Air medical providers are responsible for the care of an incredibly diverse patient population. When it is time to transport a patient, providers must be prepared for complex situations, each requiring different skills, medications, and critical thinking. Scene flights will have providers landing and providing care in the prehospital setting where an interfacility transport requires the patient to be taken from one hospital to another. Specialty flights require special equipment, personnel, and aircraft preparedness to be completed. The case studies provided within this article highlight the complexity and diversity that is encountered each shift at Allegheny LifeFlight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Mikolich
- AHN LifeFlight, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pintea M, Dahl Grove D. A Pediatric-Focused Self-Assessment Tool on Vulnerabilities to Aid Regional Disaster Planning. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2024; 18:e28. [PMID: 38372074 PMCID: PMC10883618 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2024.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A significant number of disaster and emergency victims are children. Yet, many hospitals are ill-prepared to care for these patients during disasters, as identified by the National Pediatric Readiness Project's survey of hospital pediatric disaster plans. The Region V for Kids Center of Excellence created a self-assessment tool to help regions identify vulnerabilities and ways to enhance care for vulnerable children and families. METHODS Region V for Kids identified 9 key domains (eg, infrastructures and support mechanisms) that are important to safeguard children's and families' care during disasters. A self-assessment tool to assess these domains was distributed to 24 regional health care coalitions along with a 9-question usefulness survey. The self-assessment tool addressed 3 of the original domains, which have regional or national open-source databases and datapoints that health care coalitions can access for their responses. RESULTS The survey received a 50% response rate. Approximately 40% of respondents indicated they were "somewhat likely" to make changes based on data gathered by the tool. The original self-assessment tool was revised to create an expanded web-based version. CONCLUSIONS Health care coalitions and localities can use this tool to evaluate pediatric preparedness, identify needed improvements, and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Pintea
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Deanna Dahl Grove
- University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Heyming TW, Knudsen-Robbins C, Shelton SK, Pham PK, Brukman S, Wickens M, Valdez B, Bacon K, Thorpe J, Kwon KT, Schultz C. 9-1-1 Activations from Ambulatory Care Centers: A Sicker Pediatric Population. Prehosp Disaster Med 2023; 38:749-756. [PMID: 37877361 PMCID: PMC10694466 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x23006544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric patients transferred by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from urgent care (UC) and office-based physician practices to the emergency department (ED) following activation of the 9-1-1 EMS system are an under-studied population with scarce literature regarding outcomes for these children. The objectives of this study were to describe this population, explore EMS level-of-care transport decisions, and examine ED outcomes. METHODS This was a retrospective review of patients zero to <15 years of age transported by EMS from UC and office-based physician practices to the ED of two pediatric receiving centers from January 2017 through December 2019. Variables included reason for transfer, level of transport, EMS interventions and medications, ED medications/labs/imaging ordered in the first hour, ED procedures, ED disposition, and demographics. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, X test, point biserial correlation, two-sample z test, Mann-Whitney U test, and 2-way ANOVA. RESULTS A total of 450 EMS transports were included in this study: 382 Advanced Life Support (ALS) runs and 68 Basic Life Support (BLS) runs. The median patient age was 2.66 years, 60.9% were male, and 60.7% had private insurance. Overall, 48.9% of patients were transported from an office-based physician practice and 25.1% were transported from UC. Almost one-half (48.7%) of ALS patients received an EMS intervention or medication, as did 4.41% of BLS patients. Respiratory distress was the most common reason for transport (46.9%). Supplemental oxygen was the most common EMS intervention and albuterol was the most administered EMS medication. There was no significant association between level of transport and ED disposition (P = .23). The in-patient admission rate for transported patients was significantly higher than the general ED admission rate (P <.001). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that pediatric patients transferred via EMS after activation of the 9-1-1 system from UC and medical offices are more acutely ill than the general pediatric ED population and are likely sicker than the general pediatric EMS population. Paramedics appear to be making appropriate level-of-care transport decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore W. Heyming
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s), Orange, CaliforniaUSA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California at Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Chloe Knudsen-Robbins
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OhioUSA
| | - Shelby K. Shelton
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s), Orange, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Phung K. Pham
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s), Orange, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Shelley Brukman
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s), Orange, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Maxwell Wickens
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s), Orange, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Brooke Valdez
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s), Orange, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Kellie Bacon
- Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children’s), Orange, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Jonathan Thorpe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Kenneth T. Kwon
- CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Carl Schultz
- Orange County Health Care Agency, Santa Ana, CaliforniaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ross SW, Campion E, Jensen AR, Gray L, Gross T, Namias N, Goodloe JM, Bulger EM, Fischer PE, Fallat ME. Prehospital and emergency department pediatric readiness for injured children: A statement from the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Emergency Medical Services Committee. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2023; 95:e6-e10. [PMID: 37125944 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000003997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Injury is the leading cause of death in children older than 1 year, and children make up 22% of the population. Pediatric readiness (PR) of the nation's emergency departments and state trauma and emergency medical services (EMS) systems is conceptually important and vital to mitigate mortality and morbidity in this population. The extension of PR to the trauma community has become a focused area for training, staffing, education, and equipment at all levels of trauma center designation, and there is evidence that a higher level of emergency department PR is independently associated with long-term survival among injured children. Although less well studied, there is an associated need for EMS PR, which is relevant to the injured child who needs assessment, treatment, triage, and transport to a trauma center. We outline a blueprint along with recommendations for incorporating PR into trauma system development in this opinion from the EMS Committee of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. These recommendations are particularly pertinent in the rural and underserved areas of the United States but are directed toward all levels of professionals who care for an injured child along the trauma continuum of care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Wade Ross
- From the Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery (S.W.R.), F.H. "Sammy" Ross, Jr. Trauma Center, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Charlotte, North Carolina; Division of GI, Trauma, and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery (E.C.), University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (A.R.J.), UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California; Department of Pediatrics (L.G.), The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, Texas; Department of Pediatrics (T.G.), Children's Hospital New Orleans, Tulane University School of Medicine; LSU Health Sciences Center (T.G.), New Orleans, Louisiana; Division of Trauma, Burns, and Surgical Critical Care, Daughtry Family Department of Surgery (N.N.), Ryder Trauma Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Department of Emergency Medicine (J.M.G.), University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Division of Trauma, Burns, and Critical Care, Department of Surgery (E.M.B.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Division of Trauma Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery (P.E.F.), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; and Hiram C. Polk, Jr. Department of Surgery (M.E.F.), University of Louisville and Norton Children's Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ramgopal S, Sepanski RJ, Crowe RP, Martin-Gill C. External Validation of Empirically Derived Vital Signs in Children and Comparison to Other Vital Signs Classification Criteria. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2023; 28:253-261. [PMID: 37105575 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2023.2206473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Various vital sign ranges for pediatric patients have differing utility in identifying children with serious illness or injury requiring immediate intervention. While commonly used ranges are derived from samples of healthy children, limited research has explored the utility of those derived from real-world encounters by emergency medical services (EMS). We first sought to externally validate pediatric vital sign ranges empirically derived from the prehospital setting. Second, we compared the proportion of children who received prehospital interventions using current common classification systems versus empirically derived vital sign ranges. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed pediatric (<18 years) prehospital records from the 2021 ESO Collaborative dataset. We compared the proportions of encounters having vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and systolic blood pressure) at the cutoffs of >99th, >95th, >90th, <10th, <5th and <1st centiles to previously reported centiles derived from EMS encounters in 2019-2020. We compared the deviation of mean Z-score by age between data sources. We identified the proportion of encounters with extreme (defined as <10th or >90th centile) vital signs who received prehospital interventions for the empirically derived criteria to six other classification criteria. RESULTS 510,414 encounters were included, of which 66.9% were for medical indications and 70.7% resulted in hospital transport. The study sample had similar proportions of encounters identified at studied cutoffs compared to the previously published derivation sample, with all differences in proportions ≤1.1% between samples. All mean Z-scores were within 0.2 standard deviations of those from the derivation sample for each vital sign. Using empirically derived criteria, 34.2% had at least one extreme vital sign, compared to 69.1% with Pediatric Advanced Life Support criteria. Empirically derived extreme vital signs identified a higher proportion of children requiring most prehospital interventions compared to other vital signs criteria. CONCLUSION Previously published empirically derived centiles for pediatric prehospital vital signs were replicated in this large multi-agency dataset. Compared to commonly used vital sign ranges, empirically derived criteria identified a higher proportion of children who received key prehospital interventions. Future steps include evaluating the role of these criteria in predictive models for in-hospital outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Ramgopal
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert J Sepanski
- Department of Quality Improvement, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, Virginia
- Department of Pediatrics, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
| | | | - Christian Martin-Gill
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kadish CB, Lloyd JK, Adelgais KM, Ward CE, Lo CB, Truelove A, Leonard JC. Prehospital Recognition and Management of Pediatric Sepsis: A Qualitative Assessment. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2023; 27:775-785. [PMID: 37141419 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2023.2210217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Sepsis is a life-threatening disease in children and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Early prehospital recognition and management of children with sepsis may have significant effects on the timely resuscitation of this high-risk clinical condition. However, the care of acutely ill and injured children in the prehospital setting can be challenging. This study aims to understand barriers, facilitators, and attitudes regarding recognition and management of pediatric sepsis in the prehospital setting. METHODS This was a qualitative study of EMS professionals participating in focus groups using a grounded theory-based design to gather information on recognition and management of septic children in the prehospital setting. Focus groups were held for EMS administrators and medical directors. Separate focus groups were held for field clinicians. Focus groups were conducted via video conference until saturation of ideas was reached. Using consensus methodology, transcripts were coded in an iterative process. Data were then organized into positive and negative factors based on the validated PRECEDE-PROCEED model for behavioral change. RESULTS Thirty-eight participants in six focus groups identified nine environmental factors, 21 negative factors, and 14 positive factors pertaining to recognition and management of pediatric sepsis. These findings were organized into the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model. Pediatric sepsis guidelines were identified as positive factors when they did exist and negative factors when they were complicated or did not exist. Six interventions were identified by participants. These include raising awareness of pediatric sepsis, increasing pediatric education, receiving feedback on prehospital encounters, increasing pediatric exposure and skills training, and improving dispatch information. CONCLUSION This study fills a gap by examining barriers and facilitators to prehospital diagnosis and management of pediatric sepsis. Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, nine environmental factors, 21 negative factors, and 14 positive factors were identified. Participants identified six interventions that could create the foundation to improve prehospital pediatric sepsis care. Policy changes were suggested by the research team based on the results of this study. These interventions and policy changes provide a roadmap for improving care in this population and lay the groundwork for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea B Kadish
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Julia K Lloyd
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Kathleen M Adelgais
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Caleb E Ward
- Children's National Hospital, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Charmaine B Lo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Annie Truelove
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Julie C Leonard
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ramgopal S, Sepanski RJ, Martin-Gill C. Empirically Derived Age-Based Vital Signs for Children in the Out-of-Hospital Setting. Ann Emerg Med 2023; 81:402-412. [PMID: 36402633 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To compare Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) vital signs criteria to empirically derived vital signs cut-points for predicting out-of-hospital interventions in children. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of pediatric encounters (<18 years) using the 2019 to 2020 datasets of the National Emergency Medical Services Information System, which we randomly divided into equal size derivation and validation samples. We developed age-based centile curves for initial heart rate, respiratory rate, and systolic blood pressure using generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape, which we evaluated in the validation sample. In addition, we compared the proportion of encounters with at least 1 abnormal vital sign when using empirically derived and PALS criteria and calculated their associations with the delivery of out-of-hospital medical interventions (eg, vascular access, medication delivery, or airway maneuvers). RESULTS We included 3,704,398 encounters. Among encounters with all 3 vital signs recorded (n=2,595,217), 45.9% had at least 1 abnormal vital sign using empirically derived criteria and 75.6% with PALS derived criteria. A higher proportion of encounters with a heart rate, respiratory rate, or systolic blood pressure less than 10th or more than 90th age-based empirically derived percentile had medical interventions than those with abnormal vital signs using PALS criteria. CONCLUSION PALS criteria classified a high proportion of children as having abnormal vital signs. Empirically derived vital signs developed from out-of-hospital encounters more accurately predict the delivery of the out-of-hospital medical interventions. If externally validated and correlated to inhospital outcomes, these cut-points may provide a useful assessment tool for children in the out-of-hospital setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Ramgopal
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
| | - Robert J Sepanski
- Department of Quality Improvement, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and Department of Pediatrics, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
| | - Christian Martin-Gill
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cercone A, Ramgopal S, Martin-Gill C. Completeness of Pediatric Versus Adult Patient Assessment Documentation in the National Emergency Medical Services Information System. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2023; 28:243-252. [PMID: 36758201 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2023.2178563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric prehospital encounters are proportionally low-frequency events. National pediatric readiness initiatives have targeted gaps in prehospital pediatric assessment and management. Regional studies suggest that pediatric vital signs are inconsistently obtained and documented. We aimed to assess national emergency medical services (EMS) data to evaluate completeness of assessment documentation for pediatric versus adult patients and to identify the documentation of condition-specific assessments. METHODS We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of EMS encounters from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System for 2019, including all 9-1-1 encounters resulting in transport. Our primary outcome was the proportion of encounters with complete vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and systolic blood pressure) documented by pediatric age category relative to adult encounters. Pediatric patients were considered as those less than 18 years old. Our secondary outcome was condition-specific assessments for encounters with respiratory emergencies, cardiac complaints, and trauma. We performed multivariable logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for vital signs documentation by age after adjusting for sex, injury status, transport type (advanced vs basic life support), census region, urbanicity, organization nonprofit status, and organization type. RESULTS Of 18,918,914 EMS encounters, 6.4% involved pediatric patients. Documentation of complete vital signs was lowest in those <1 month old (30.8%) and rose with increasing age (highest in adults; 91.8%). Relative to adults, the adjusted odds of documented complete vital signs in patients <1 month old was 0.03 (95% CI 0.03-0.03) and increased with age to 0.76 (95% CI 0.75-0.77) in those 12-17 years old. Among those patients with respiratory, cardiac, and traumatic complaints, children had lower proportions of documented pulse oximetry, monitor use, and pain scores, respectively, compared to adults. CONCLUSION Documentation of complete vital signs and condition-specific assessments occurs less frequently in children, especially in younger age groups, as compared to adults, which is a finding that exists across urbanicity, region, and level of response. These findings provide a benchmark for clinical care, quality improvement, and research in the prehospital setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Cercone
- Division of Emergency Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sriram Ramgopal
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Christian Martin-Gill
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kazi R, Hoyle JD, Huffman C, Ekblad G, Ruffing R, Dunwoody S, Hover T, Cody S, Fales W. An Analysis of Prehospital Pediatric Medication Dosing Errors after Implementation of a State-Wide EMS Pediatric Drug Dosing Reference. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2023; 28:43-49. [PMID: 36652452 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2022.2162648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication dosing errors are common in prehospital pediatric patients. Prior work has shown the overall medication error rate by emergency medical services (EMS) in Michigan was 34.7%. To reduce these errors, the state of Michigan implemented a pediatric dosing reference in 2014 listing medication doses and volume to be administered. OBJECTIVE To examine changes in pediatric dosing errors by EMS in Michigan after implementation of the pediatric dosing reference. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of the Michigan Emergency Medical Services Information System of children ≤ 12 years of age from June 2016-May 2017 treated by 16 EMS agencies. Agencies were a mix of public, private, third-service, and fire-based. A dosing error was defined as >20% deviation from the weight-appropriate dose listed on the pediatric dosing reference. Descriptive statistics with confidence intervals and standard deviations are reported. RESULTS During the study period, there were 9,247 pediatric encounters, of whom 727 (7.9%) received medications and are included in the study. There were 1078 medication administrations, with 380 dosing errors (35.2% [95% CI 25.3-48.4]). The highest error rates were for dextrose 50% (3/4 or 75% [95% CI 32.57-100.0]) and glucagon (3/4 or 75% [95% CI 32.57-100.0]). The next highest proportions of incorrect doses were opioids: intranasal fentanyl (11/16 or 68.8% [95% CI 46.04-91.46]) and intravenous fentanyl (89/130 or 68.5% [95% CI 60.47-76.45]). Morphine had a much lower error rate (24/51 or 47.1% [95% CI 33.36-60.76]). Midazolam had the third highest error rate, for intravenous (27/50 or 54.0% [95% CI (40.19-67.81]) and intramuscular (25/68 or 36.8% [95% CI 40.19-67.81]) routes. Epinephrine 1 mg/10 ml had an incorrect dosage rate of 35/119 (29.4% [95% CI 20.64-36.99]). Asthma medications had the lowest rate of incorrect dosing (albuterol sulfate 9/247 or 3.6% [95% CI 1.31-5.98]). CONCLUSIONS Medications administered to prehospital pediatric patients continue to demonstrate dosing errors despite pediatric dosing reference implementation. Although there have been improvements in error rates in asthma medications, the overall error rate has increased. Continued work to build patient safety strategies to reduce pediatric medication dosing errors by EMS is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Kazi
- Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan
| | - John D Hoyle
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan
| | - Cuyler Huffman
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan
| | - Glenn Ekblad
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan
| | | | - Sue Dunwoody
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan
| | - Tracy Hover
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan
| | - Sean Cody
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan
| | - William Fales
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chegini N, Soltani S, Noorian S, Amiri M, Rashvand F, Rahmani S, Aliakbari M, Senmar M. Investigating the role of predictive death anxiety in the job satisfaction of pre-hospital emergency personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:196. [PMID: 36474161 PMCID: PMC9727867 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00762-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-hospital emergency staffs as the frontline forces fighting against COVID -19 have been affected by this pandemic. Today, the occupational and mental health of these individuals is particularly important to the health care system. Death anxiety is one of the inevitable things in this job, and not paying attention to it can cause unwanted effects such as changing the level of job satisfaction of the personnel. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of predictive death anxiety in the job satisfaction of pre-hospital emergency personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among pre-hospital emergency staffs in Qazvin Province, Iran in 2021-2022. Among the bases chosen by the census method, 198 samples were included in the study by the available method. Data collection tools included the Demographic Checklist, Templer's Death Anxiety scale, and the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. The data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics and SPSS 20 software. RESULTS The mean age of the samples was (33.14 ± 6.77). 167 persons were male and the others were female. The average job satisfaction and death anxiety of the personnel were 55.07 ± 11.50 and 8.18 ± 1.96, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient between the two variables was r = -0.126 And a null correlation coefficient hypothesis has been confirmed with p-value = 0.077. CONCLUSIONS The results showed a high level of death anxiety and average job satisfaction. Although these two variables do not have a significant relationship with each other, considering that they do not have the appropriate level, it needs more investigation and consideration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Najme Chegini
- grid.412606.70000 0004 0405 433XStudent Research Committee, Qazvin University Of Medical Science, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Soheil Soltani
- grid.412606.70000 0004 0405 433XEmergency Medical Service Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Sajad Noorian
- grid.440822.80000 0004 0382 5577Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
| | - Mostafa Amiri
- grid.412606.70000 0004 0405 433XEmergency Medical Service Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rashvand
- grid.412606.70000 0004 0405 433XEmergency Medical Service Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Saeed Rahmani
- grid.412606.70000 0004 0405 433XEmergency Medical Service Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mohadese Aliakbari
- grid.412606.70000 0004 0405 433XEmergency Medical Service Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Senmar
- grid.412606.70000 0004 0405 433XStudent Research Committee, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non–Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Scott J, Khanom A, Straw J, Strickland A, Porter A, Snooks H. Paediatric frequent use of emergency medical services: a systematic review. Emerg Med J 2022; 40:emermed-2021-211701. [PMID: 36600465 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2021-211701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frequent use of emergency medical services (EMS) is recognised to be a global phenomenon, although paediatric frequent use is poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to understand how paediatric frequent use of EMS is currently defined, identify factors associated with paediatric frequent use of EMS and determine effectiveness of interventions for paediatric patients who frequently use EMS. METHODS Four electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO) were searched to September 2022 for primary, peer-reviewed research studies published in English from January 2000. Studies were included that examined frequent use (>1 contact during study period) of EMS or other services with arrival via EMS. Paediatric patients were defined as <18 years of age or otherwise defined by study authors as paediatric/adolescent/children. Data were extracted using a structured proforma, and quality was assessed using the Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for Quantitative Studies but did not influence inclusion decisions. Data were presented using narrative synthesis. RESULTS The search resulted in 4172 unique references, with 12 papers included in the review from 7 countries. Four were EMS studies, and eight Emergency Department with arrival via EMS. All studies used retrospective designs, with no interventional studies identified. Paediatric frequent EMS users were more likely to use services for medical reasons rather than trauma, including respiratory complaints, mental health and seizures, but data on gender and ethnicity were inconclusive and silent on socioeconomic status. There was no consistency in definitions of either a paediatric patient or of frequent use. CONCLUSION The broad range of reasons for frequent use suggests that a single intervention is unlikely to be effective at addressing the causes of frequent use. There is a need for further research to better identify the underlying reasons for frequent EMS use among paediatric patients and to develop interventions in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Scott
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Joanne Straw
- Emergency Operations Centre, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK
| | - Annette Strickland
- Emergency Operations Centre, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK
| | - Alison Porter
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Helen Snooks
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Shinohara M, Muguruma T, Toida C, Gakumazawa M, Abe T, Takeuchi I. The association between age and vital signs documentation of trauma patients in prehospital settings: analysis of a nationwide database in Japan. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:165. [PMID: 36195850 PMCID: PMC9531500 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00725-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emergency medical service (EMS) providers are the first medical professionals to make contact with patients in an emergency. However, the frequency of care by EMS providers for severely injured children is limited. Vital signs are important factors in assessing critically ill or injured patients in the prehospital setting. However, it has been reported that documentation of pediatric vital signs is sometimes omitted, and little is known regarding the performance rate of vital sign documentation by EMS providers in Japan. Using a nationwide data base in Japan, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between patients’ age and the documentation of vital signs in prehospital settings. Methods This study was a secondary data analysis of the Japan Trauma Data Bank. The inclusion criterion was patients with severe trauma, as defined by an Injury Severity Score ≥ 16. Our primary outcome was the rate of recording all four basic vital signs, namely blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and level of consciousness in the prehospital setting among different age groups. We also compared the prehospital vital sign completion rate, that is, the rate at which all four vital signs were recorded in a prehospital setting based on age groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate factors associated with the prehospital vital sign completion rate. Results We analyzed 75,777 severely injured patients. Adults accounted for 94% (71400) of these severely injured patients, whereas only 6% of patients were children. The rate of prehospital recording of vital signs was lower in children ≤5 years than in adult patients for all four vital signs. When the adult group was used as a reference, the adjusted odds ratios of vital sign completion rate in infants (0 years), younger children (1–5 years), older children (6–11 years), and teenagers (12–17 years) were 0.09, 0.30, 0.78, and 0.87, respectively. Conclusions Analysis of the nationwide trauma registry showed that younger children tended to have a lower rate of vital sign documentation in prehospital settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mafumi Shinohara
- Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Center,
- Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafunecho. Minamiku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 232-0024, Japan.
| | - Takashi Muguruma
- Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Center,
- Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafunecho. Minamiku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 232-0024, Japan
| | - Chiaki Toida
- Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Center,
- Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafunecho. Minamiku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 232-0024, Japan
| | - Masayasu Gakumazawa
- Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Center,
- Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafunecho. Minamiku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 232-0024, Japan
| | - Takeru Abe
- Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Center,
- Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafunecho. Minamiku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 232-0024, Japan
| | - Ichiro Takeuchi
- Advanced Critical Care and Emergency Center,
- Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafunecho. Minamiku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 232-0024, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Knighton AJ, Wolfe D, Hunt A, Neeley A, Shrestha N, Hess S, Hellewell J, Snow G, Srivastava R, Nelson D, Schunk JE. Improving Head CT Scan Decisions for Pediatric Minor Head Trauma in General Emergency Departments: A Pragmatic Implementation Study. Ann Emerg Med 2022; 80:332-343. [PMID: 35752519 PMCID: PMC9509420 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To measure the effectiveness of a multimodal strategy, including simultaneous implementation of a clinical decision support system, to sustain adherence to a clinical pathway for care of children with minor head trauma treated in general emergency departments (EDs). METHODS Prospective, type III hybrid effectiveness-implementation cohort study with a nonrandomized stepped-wedge design and monthly repeated site measures. The study population included pediatric minor head trauma encounters from July 2018 to December 2020 at 21 urban and rural general ED sites in an integrated health care system. Sites received the intervention in 1 of 2 steps, with each site providing control and intervention observations. Measures included guideline adherence, the computed tomography (CT) scan rate, and 72-hour readmissions with clinically important traumatic brain injury. Analysis was performed using multilevel hierarchical modeling with random intercepts for the site and physician. RESULTS During the study, 12,670 pediatric minor head trauma encounters were cared for by 339 clinicians. The implementation of the clinical pathway resulted in higher odds of guideline adherence (adjusted odds ratio 1.12 [95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.22]) and lower odds of a CT scan (adjusted odds ratio 0.96 [95% confidence interval 0.93 to 0.98]) in intervention versus control months. Absolute risk difference was observed in both guideline adherence (site median: +2.3% improvement) and the CT scan rate (site median: -6.6% reduction). No 72-hour readmissions with confirmed clinically important traumatic brain injury were identified. CONCLUSION Implementation of a minor head trauma clinical pathway using a multimodal approach, including a clinical decision support system, led to sustained improvements in adherence and a modest, yet safe, reduction in CT scans among generally low-risk patients in diverse general EDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Doug Wolfe
- Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | | | | | - Steven Hess
- Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | | | - Rajendu Srivastava
- Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT; University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Douglas Nelson
- Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT; University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Jeff E Schunk
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
McManus K, Cheetham A, Riney L, Brailsford J, Fishe JN. Implementing Oral Systemic Corticosteroids for Pediatric Asthma into EMS Treatment Guidelines: A Qualitative Study. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2022; 27:886-892. [PMID: 36125194 PMCID: PMC10050217 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2022.2126041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Respiratory distress accounts for approximately 14% of all pediatric emergency medical services (EMS) encounters, with asthma being the most common diagnosis. In the emergency department (ED), early administration of systemic corticosteroids decreases hospital admission and speeds resolution of symptoms. For children treated by EMS, there is an opportunity for earlier corticosteroid administration. Most EMS agencies carry intravenous (IV) corticosteroids; yet given the challenges and low rates of EMS pediatric IV placement, oral corticosteroids (OCS) are a logical alternative. However, previous single-agency studies showed low adoption of OCS. Therefore, qualitative study of OCS implementation by EMS is warranted.Methods: This study's objective was to explore uptake and implementation of OCS for pediatric asthma treatment through semi-structured interviews and focus groups with EMS clinicians. We thematically coded and analyzed transcripts using the domains and constructs of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify barriers and facilitators that most strongly influenced OCS implementation and adoption by EMS clinicians.Results: We conducted five focus groups with a total of ten EMS clinicians from four EMS systems: one urban region with multiple agencies that hosted two focus groups, one suburban agency, one rural agency, and a mixed rural/suburban agency. Of the 36 CFIR constructs, 31 were addressed in the interviews. Most constructs coded were in the CFIR domains of the inner setting and characteristics of individuals, indicating that EMS agency factors as well as EMS clinician characteristics were impactful for implementation. Barriers to OCS adoption included unfamiliarity and inexperience with pediatric patients and pediatric dosing, and lack of knowledge of the benefits of corticosteroids. Facilitators included friendly competition with colleagues, having a pediatric medical director, and feedback from receiving EDs on patient outcomes.Conclusion: This qualitative focus group study of OCS implementation by EMS clinicians for the treatment of pediatric asthma found many barriers and facilitators that mapped to the structure of EMS agencies and characteristics of individual EMS clinicians. To fully implement this evidence-based intervention for pediatric asthma, more education on the intervention is required, and EMS clinicians will benefit from further pediatric training.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayla McManus
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Alexandra Cheetham
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lauren Riney
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jennifer Brailsford
- Center for Data Solutions, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Jennifer N Fishe
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
- Center for Data Solutions, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Newgard CD, Malveau S, Mann NC, Hansen M, Lang B, Lin A, Carr BG, Berry C, Buchwalder K, Lerner EB, Hewes HA, Kusin S, Dai M, Wei R. A Geospatial Evaluation of 9-1-1 Ambulance Transports for Children and Emergency Department Pediatric Readiness. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2022; 27:252-262. [PMID: 35394855 PMCID: PMC9681031 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2022.2064020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Whether ambulance transport patterns are optimized to match children to high-readiness emergency departments (EDs) and the resulting effect on survival are unknown. We quantified the number of children transported by 9-1-1 emergency medical services (EMS) to high-readiness EDs, additional children within 30 minutes of a high-readiness ED, and the estimated effect on survival. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study using data from the National EMS Information System for 5,461 EMS agencies in 28 states from 1/1/2012 through 12/31/2019, matched to the 2013 National Pediatric Readiness Project assessment of ED pediatric readiness. We performed a geospatial analysis of children 0 to 17 years requiring 9-1-1 EMS transport to acute care hospitals, including day-, time-, and traffic-adjusted estimates for driving times to all EDs within 30 minutes of the scene. We categorized receiving hospitals by quartile of ED pediatric readiness using the weighted Pediatric Readiness Score (wPRS, range 0-100) and defined a high-risk subgroup of children as a proxy for admission. We used published estimates for the survival benefit of high readiness EDs to estimate the number of lives saved. RESULTS There were 808,536 children transported by EMS, of whom 253,541 (31.4%) were high-risk. Among the 2,261 receiving hospitals, the median wPRS was 70 (IQR 57-85, range 26-100) and the median number of receiving hospitals within 30 minutes was 4 per child (IQR 2-11, range 1 to 53). Among all children, 411,685 (50.9%) were taken to EDs in the highest quartile of pediatric readiness, and 180,547 (22.3%) children transported to lower readiness EDs were within 30 minutes of a high readiness ED. Findings were similar among high-risk children. Based on high-risk children, we estimated that 3,050 pediatric lives were saved by transport to high-readiness EDs and an additional 1,719 lives could have been saved by shifting transports to high readiness EDs within 30 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Approximately half of children transported by EMS were taken to high-readiness EDs and an additional one quarter could have been transported to such an ED, with measurable effect on survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Craig D. Newgard
- Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Susan Malveau
- Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - N. Clay Mann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Matthew Hansen
- Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Benjamin Lang
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Amber Lin
- Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Brendan G. Carr
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Cherisse Berry
- Department of Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Kyle Buchwalder
- Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - E. Brooke Lerner
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
| | - Hilary A. Hewes
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Shana Kusin
- Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Mengtao Dai
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Ran Wei
- School of Public Policy, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, California
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ramgopal S, Varma S, Janofsky S, Martin-Gill C, Marin JR. Pediatric Patients Brought by Emergency Medical Services to the Emergency Department: An Analysis From the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:e791-e798. [PMID: 35100778 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology of emergency department (ED) visits by pediatric patients transported from the out-of-hospital setting (ie, scene) by emergency medical services (EMS), and identify factors associated with EMS transport. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of ED visits from 2014 to 2017 utilizing a nationally representative probability sample survey of visits to US EDs. We included pediatric patients (<18 years old) and compared encounters transported from the scene by EMS to those who arrived to the ED by all other means. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with scene EMS transport. RESULTS Of 130.2 million pediatric ED encounters, 4.7 million (3.8%) arrived by EMS. Most patients were White (61.1%), non-Hispanic (77.5%), and publicly insured (52.2%). Multivariable analysis demonstrated associations with EMS transport: Black (vs White) race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.89), ages 1 to younger than 5 years (aOR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.37-0.72) and 5 to younger than 12 years (aOR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.40-0.80) (vs adolescents), pediatric (aOR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42-0.85) and nonmetropolitan hospital status (aOR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35-0.78), blood testing (aOR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.71-3.19), time to evaluation (31-60 minutes [aOR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.39-0.80] and >60 minutes [aOR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.33-0.77] compared with 0-30 minutes), admission (aOR, 3.20; 95% CI, 2.33-4.38), and trauma (1.80; 95% CI, 1.43-2.28). CONCLUSIONS Four percent of pediatric ED patients are transported to the ED by EMS from the scene. These patients receive a rapid and resource intense diagnostic evaluation, suggesting that higher acuity. Black patients, adolescents, and those with trauma were more likely to be transported by EMS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Ramgopal
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Selina Varma
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Asai T, Taniguchi Y, Tsukata Y. Individual readiness for transplantation medicine of laypersons and the number of deceased organ donors: a cross-sectional online survey in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e048735. [PMID: 35063954 PMCID: PMC8785176 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The gap between the numbers of organ donors and recipients is a common problem worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the importance of 'individual readiness', a here introduced novel concept in transplantation medicine and a measure of positive attitudes towards organ donation and transplantation. DESIGN A cross-sectional online survey was used to collect the research data. PARTICIPANTS The participants were recruited by a Japanese research company and affiliates in South Korea and Taiwan and fulfilled the following criteria: (1) laypersons aged 18-75 years, (2) residents of the countries and (3) understood the questions in their native languages. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES The survey investigated the interest and attitude of individuals regarding transplantation medicine by asking multiple choice questions. Based on answers concerning attitude, a positive group was identified as willing to be organ donors and recipients, and a non-positive group was identified as unwilling to be donors and recipients. The ratio between the positive and non-positive group, the P/N ratio, was introduced as an index of individual readiness. RESULTS 1500 samples were included in this analysis. Individuals with interest agreed more with statements on organ donation than those without interest, and the P/N ratio per country was compatible with the actual deceased organ donors rate per million population (ADODR). CONCLUSIONS Interest in transplantation medicine was associated with positive attitudes, and positive attitudes were associated with a higher ADODR. These results support that individual readiness is an important determinant for the number of donors. The P/N ratio can be used as an index to assess individual readiness in organ transplantation, at least in countries with minor to moderate popularisation. Further studies of individual readiness using the P/N ratio should be undertaken to develop policies and initiatives for increasing organ donations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Asai
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Taniguchi
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yukiyoshi Tsukata
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Harris M, Lyng JW, Mandt M, Moore B, Gross T, Gausche-Hill M, Donofrio-Odmann JJ. Prehospital Pediatric Respiratory Distress and Airway Management Interventions: An NAEMSP Position Statement and Resource Document. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2022; 26:118-128. [PMID: 35001823 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2021.1994675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Devices and techniques such as bag-valve-mask ventilation, endotracheal intubation, supraglottic airway devices, and noninvasive ventilation offer important tools for airway management in critically ill EMS patients. Over the past decade the tools, technology, and strategies used to assess and manage pediatric respiratory and airway emergencies have evolved, and evidence regarding their use continues to grow.NAEMSP recommends:Methods and tools used to properly size pediatric equipment for ages ranging from newborns to adolescents should be available to all EMS clinicians. All pediatric equipment should be routinely checked and clearly identifiable in EMS equipment supply bags and vehicles.EMS agencies should train and equip their clinicians with age-appropriate pulse oximetry and capnography equipment to aid in the assessment and management of pediatric respiratory distress and airway emergencies.EMS agencies should emphasize noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and effective bag-valve-mask ventilation strategies in children.Supraglottic airways can be used as primary or secondary airway management interventions for pediatric respiratory failure and cardiac arrest in the EMS setting.Pediatric endotracheal intubation has unclear benefit in the EMS setting. Advanced approaches to pediatric ETI including drug-assisted airway management, apneic oxygenation, and use of direct and video laryngoscopy require further research to more clearly define their risks and benefits prior to widespread implementation.If considering the use of pediatric endotracheal intubation, the EMS medical director must ensure the program provides pediatric-specific initial training and ongoing competency and quality management activities to ensure that EMS clinicians attain and maintain mastery of the intervention.Paramedic use of direct laryngoscopy paired with Magill forceps to facilitate foreign body removal in the pediatric patient should be maintained even when pediatric endotracheal intubation is not approved as a local clinical intervention.
Collapse
|
19
|
Mandt M, Harris M, Lyng J, Moore B, Gross T, Gausche-Hill M, Donofrio-Odmann JJ. Quality Management of Prehospital Pediatric Respiratory Distress and Airway Programs: An NAEMSP Position Statement and Resource Document. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2022; 26:111-117. [PMID: 35001832 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2021.1986184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The unique challenges of pediatric respiratory and airway emergencies require the development and maintenance of a prehospital quality management program that includes pediatric-focused medical oversight and clinical care expertise, data collection, operational considerations, focused education, and clinician competency evaluation.NAEMSP recommends:Medical director oversight must include a focus on pediatric airway and respiratory management and integrate pediatric-specific elements in guideline development, competency assessment, and skills maintenance efforts.EMS agencies are encouraged to collaborate with medical professionals who have expertise in pediatric emergency care to provide support for quality management initiatives in pediatric respiratory distress and airway management.EMS agencies should define quality indicators for pediatric-specific elements in respiratory distress and airway management and benchmark performance based on regional and national standards.EMS agencies should implement both quantitative (objective) and qualitative (subjective) measures of performance to assess competency in pediatric respiratory distress and airway management.EMS agencies choosing to incorporate pediatric endotracheal intubation or supraglottic airway insertion must use pediatric-specific quality management benchmarks and perform focused review of advanced airway management.
Collapse
|
20
|
Yock-Corrales A, Casson N, Sosa-Soto G, Orellana RA. Pediatric Critical Care Transport: Survey of Current State in Latin America. Latin American Society of Pediatric Intensive Care Transport Committee. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:e295-e299. [PMID: 33105465 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
METHODS An electronic, anonymous, multicenter survey housed by Monkey Survey was sent to physicians in LA and included questions about hospital and pediatric critical transport, resources available and level of car. Nineteen Latin-American countries were asked to complete the survey. RESULTS A total of 212 surveys were analyzed, achieving a representativity of 19 LA countries, being most participants (59.4%, n = 126) from South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela). Most surveys were conducted by physicians of tertiary level centers (60.8%, n = 129), most of the institutions were classified by the participants as public health care centers (81.6%, n = 173). Most of the surveyed physicians (63.7%, n = 135) reported that there is a coordination center for critical care transport (CCT). In most cases, physicians report that a unified transport system for pediatric critical patients does not exist in their countries (67.45%, n = 143). Only 59 (30.7%) surveys reported the use of an exclusively pediatric critical care transport system. Most of these transport systems are described as a mixture of public and private efforts (51.56%, n = 99), but there is also a considerable involvement of government-funded critical transport systems (43.75%, n = 84). Specific training for personnel devoted to transportation of critically ill patients is reported in 55.6% (90), and the medical equipment necessary to carry out the transport is available in 67.7%. The majority (83.95%, n = 136) mentioned that access to advanced life support courses is possible. Training in triage and disaster is available in 44.1%. Physicians and registered nurse were identified as the transport providers in 41.5%, and only one third were made by pediatricians-pediatric nurse. The main reasons for transfers were respiratory illness, neonatal pathologies, trauma, infectious diseases, and neurological conditions. Overall, pediatric transport was reported as insufficient (70.19%, n = 148) by the surveyed physicians in LA and nonexisting by some of them (6.83%, n = 15). There were no regulations or laws in the majority of the surveyed countries (63.13%), and in the places where physicians reported regulatory laws, there were no dissemination (84.9%) by the local authorities. CONCLUSIONS In LA, there is a great variability in personnel training, equipment for pediatric-neonatal transport, transport team composition, and characterization of critical care transport systems. Continued efforts to improve conditions in our countries by generating documents that standardize practices and generating scientific information on the epidemiology of pediatric transfers, especially of critically ill patients, may help reduce patient morbidity and mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Yock-Corrales
- From the Pediatric Emergency Department, Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera", CCSS, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Nils Casson
- Pediatric Critical Care Unit, Hospital Regional San Juan de Dios, Tarija, Bolivia
| | | | - Renan A Orellana
- Pediatric Critical Care Unit, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Desmond M, Schwengel D, Chilson K, Rusy D, Ingram K, Ambardekar A, Greenberg RS, Belani K, Perate A, Gangadharan M; Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Disaster Preparedness Special Interest Group. Paediatric patients in mass casualty incidents: a comprehensive review and call to action. Br J Anaesth 2021:S0007-0912(21)00697-8. [PMID: 34862001 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2021.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The paediatric population is disproportionately affected during mass casualty incidents (MCIs). Several unique characteristics of children merit special attention during natural and man-made disasters because of their age, physiology, and vulnerability. Paediatric anaesthesiologists play a critical part of MCI care for this population, yet there is a deficit of publications within the anaesthesia literature addressing paediatric-specific MCI concerns. This narrative review article analyses paediatric MCI considerations and compares differing aspects between care provision in Australia, the UK, and the USA. We integrate some of the potential roles for anaesthesiologists with paediatric experience, which include preparation, command consultation, in-field care, pre-hospital transport duties, and emergency department, operating theatre, and ICU opportunities. Finally, we propose several methods by which anaesthesiologists can improve their contribution to paediatric MCI care through personal education, training, and institutional involvement.
Collapse
|
22
|
Fratta KA, Fishe JN, Schenk E, Anders JF. Emergency Medical Services Clinicians' Pediatric Destination Decision-Making: A Qualitative Study. Cureus 2021; 13:e17443. [PMID: 34589349 PMCID: PMC8462747 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study sought to identify factors that influence emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians' destination decision-making for pediatric patients. We also sought EMS clinicians' opinions on potential systems improvements, such as protocol changes and the use of evidence-based transport guidelines. Methods Thirty-six in-depth phone interviews were conducted using a semi-structured format. We utilized a modified Grounded Theory approach to understand the complicated decision-making processes of EMS personnel. Memo writing was used throughout the data collection and analysis processes in order to identify emerging themes. The research team utilized hierarchical coding of interview transcripts to organize data into sub-categories for final analysis. Results EMS clinicians cited the perceived need for specialty care, the presence of a medical home, a desire for improved continuity of care, and the availability of aeromedical transport as factors that promoted transport to a pediatric specialty center. They voiced that children with emergent stabilization needs should be transported to the closest facility, however, they did not identify any specific medical conditions suitable for transport to non-specialty centers. EMS clinicians recommended improvements in pediatric-specific education, improved clarity of hospitals' pediatric capabilities, and the creation of a pediatric-specific destination decision-making tool. Conclusion This study describes specific factors that influence EMS clinicians' transport destination decision-making for pediatric patients. It also describes potential systems and educational improvements that may increase pediatric transport directly to definitive care. EMS clinicians are in support of specific designations for hospitals' pediatric capabilities and were in favor of the creation of a formal destination decision-making tool.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Fratta
- Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Harrisburg, USA
| | - Jennifer N Fishe
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, USA
| | - Ellen Schenk
- Epidemiology and Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Jennifer F Anders
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ray KN, Marin JR, Owusu-Ansah S. Continued Growing Pains in Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator Availability. J Pediatr 2021; 235:24-25. [PMID: 33901517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer R Marin
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sylvia Owusu-Ansah
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hewes HA, Genovesi AL, Codden R, Ely M, Ludwig L, Macias CG, Schmuhl P, Olson LM. Ready for Children Part II: Increasing Pediatric Care Coordination and Psychomotor Skills Evaluation in the Prehospital Setting. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2021; 26:503-510. [PMID: 34142919 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2021.1942340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Treating pediatric patients often invokes discomfort and anxiety among emergency medical service (EMS) personnel. As part of the process to improve pediatric care in the prehospital system, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Emergency Services for Children (EMSC) Program implemented two prehospital performance measures -access to a designated pediatric care coordinator (PECC) and skill evaluation using pediatric equipment-along with a multi-year plan to aid states in achieving the measures. Baseline data from a survey conducted in 2017 showed that less than 25% of EMS agencies had access to PECC and 47% performed skills evaluation using pediatric equipment at least twice a year. To evaluate change over time, the survey was again conducted in 2020, and agencies that participated in both years are compared. METHODS A web-based survey was sent to EMS agency administrators in 58 states and territories from January to March 2020. Descriptive statistics, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were conducted. RESULTS The response rate was 56%. A total of 5,221 agencies participated in both survey periods representing over 250,000 providers. The percentage of agencies reporting the presence of a PECC increased from 24% to 34% (p= <0.001). However, some agencies reported that they no longer had a PECC, while others reported having a PECC for the first time. Fifty percent (50%) of agencies conduct pediatric psychomotor skills evaluation at least twice/year, a 2% increase over time (p = 0.041); however, a third (34%) evaluate skills using pediatric equipment less than once a year. The presence of a PECC continues to be the variable associated with the highest odds (AOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.91-2.43) of conducting at least semi-annual skills evaluation. CONCLUSIONS There is an increase in the presence of pediatric care coordination and the frequency of pediatric psychomotor skills evaluation among national EMS agencies over time. Continued efforts to increase and sustain PECC presence should be an ongoing focus to improve pediatric readiness in the prehospital system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hilary A Hewes
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Utah, School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Data Coordinating Center, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Andrea L Genovesi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Data Coordinating Center, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Rachel Codden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Data Coordinating Center, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Michael Ely
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Data Coordinating Center, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Lorah Ludwig
- Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
| | - Charles G Macias
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's/Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Patricia Schmuhl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Data Coordinating Center, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Lenora M Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Data Coordinating Center, Salt Lake City, UT
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Chua WJ, Alpern ER, Powell EC. Emergency Medical Services for Children: Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research. Pediatr Ann 2021; 50:e155-e159. [PMID: 34039173 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20210317-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Caring for children who are acutely ill and injured involves coordinated efforts in multiple settings, including primary care, prehospital, the emergency department, and in the hospital. Research is essential to identify new science to improve health outcomes and to deliver resource-efficient emergency care to pediatric populations. This article reviews the current state of research in emergency medical services for children (EMSC). Efforts over the past 20 years have strengthened the emergency medical services infrastructure, as pediatric readiness in emergency medical services continues to be a critical area of focus, because more than 80% of children are cared for outside of pediatric-specific health centers. Research on sepsis, trauma, and respiratory illnesses is part of the core agenda for the Pediatric Emergency Care Research Network and EMSC research. These domains represent a mix of high-frequency illnesses and low-frequency illnesses with potential for high morbidity or mortality, which, if studied, can help optimize care of pediatric patients. [Pediatr Ann. 2021;50(4):e155-e159.].
Collapse
|
26
|
Rogers CJ, Gausche-Hill M, Brown LL, Burke RV. Prehospital Emergency Provider's Knowledge of and Comfort With Pediatric and Special Needs Cases: A Cross-Sectional Study in Los Angeles County. Eval Health Prof 2021; 44:362-370. [PMID: 33759591 DOI: 10.1177/01632787211003972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The current study assesses the relationship between continuing education (CE) with a focus on pediatrics and children with special heath care needs and how CE influences the knowledge and comfort levels of prehospital providers who treat these cases. Data are survey responses provided by paramedic and emergency medical technician (EMT) level providers (N = 575) in Los Angeles County. Regression models assessed the relationship between pediatric-focused continuing education and EMTs' knowledge of and comfort with pediatric cases, adjusting for relevant covariates. EMTs' participation in continuing education focusing on pediatrics and special health care needs was significantly associated with an increase in perceived comfort and knowledge. Among EMTs who did not receive continuing education focused on either pediatrics or special health care needs, the most frequently reported barrier to education was a perceived lack of availability. The impact of continuing education on perceived comfort and knowledge was more pronounced than the effect of prior experience, especially considering the limited prevalence of provider exposure to pediatric and childhood special health care needs cases compared to adult cases. Expanding educational opportunities is a promising approach to increasing the comfort and knowledge of EMTs who transport and care for pediatric cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Rogers
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marianne Gausche-Hill
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of California-Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA.,Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Torrance, CA, USA.,Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency, Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA
| | - Laurie Lee Brown
- Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency, Santa Fe Springs, CA, USA
| | - Rita V Burke
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Oulasvirta J, Harve-Rytsälä H, Lääperi M, Kuisma M, Salmi H. Why do infants need out-of-hospital emergency medical services? A retrospective, population-based study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2021; 29:13. [PMID: 33413571 PMCID: PMC7789394 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-020-00816-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The challenges encountered in emergency medical services (EMS) contacts with children are likely most pronounced in infants, but little is known about their out-of-hospital care. Our primary aim was to describe the characteristics of EMS contacts with infants. The secondary aims were to examine the symptom-based dispatch system for nonverbal infants, and to observe the association of unfavorable patient outcomes with patient and EMS mission characteristics. Methods In a population-based 5-year retrospective cohort of all 1712 EMS responses for infants (age < 1 year) in Helsinki, Finland (population 643,000, < 1-year old population 6548), we studied 1) the characteristics of EMS missions with infants; 2) mortality within 12 months; 3) pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions; 4) medical state of the infant upon presentation to the emergency department (ED); 5) any medication or respiratory support given at the ED; 6) hospitalization; and 7) surgical procedures during the same hospital visit. Results 1712 infants with a median age of 6.7 months were encountered, comprising 0.4% of all EMS missions. The most common complaints were dyspnea, low-energy falls, and choking. Two infants died on-scene. The EMS transported 683 (39.9%) infants. One (0.1%) infant died during the 12-month follow-up period. Ninety-one infants had abnormal clinical examination upon arrival at the ED. PICU admissions (n = 28) were associated with young age (P < 0.01), a history of prematurity or problems in the neonatal period (P = 0.01), and previous EMS contacts within 72 h (P = 0.04). The adult-derived dispatch codes did not associate with the final diagnoses of the infants. Conclusions Infants form a small but distinct group in pediatric EMS care, with specific characteristics differing from the overall pediatric population. Many EMS contacts with infants were nonurgent or medically unjustified, possibly reflecting an unmet need for other family services. The use of adult-derived symptom codes for dispatching is not optimal for infants. Unfavorable patient outcomes were rare. Risk factors for such outcomes include quickly renewed contacts, young age and health problems in the neonatal period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Oulasvirta
- Division of Anesthesiology; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, P.O. Box 340, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of Emergency Medicine and Services, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, P.O.Box 340, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Heini Harve-Rytsälä
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Services, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, P.O.Box 340, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mitja Lääperi
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Services, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, P.O.Box 340, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markku Kuisma
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Services, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, P.O.Box 340, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heli Salmi
- New Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, P.O. Box 347, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Moore B, Shah MI, Owusu-Ansah S, Gross T, Brown K, Gausche-Hill M, Remick K, Adelgais K, Lyng J, Rappaport L, Snow S, Wright-Johnson C, Leonard JC. Pediatric Readiness in Emergency Medical Services Systems. Pediatrics 2020; 145:peds.2019-3307. [PMID: 31857380 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-3307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This is a joint policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses Association, National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians, and National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians on pediatric readiness in emergency medical services systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Moore
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Manish I Shah
- Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Sylvia Owusu-Ansah
- Division of Emergency Medical Services, Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Department, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Toni Gross
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Children's HospitalNew Orleans and Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kathleen Brown
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.,Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Marianne Gausche-Hill
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles and Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Katherine Remick
- San Marcos Hays County Emergency Medical Services, San Marcos, Texas.,Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services System, Austin, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Kathleen Adelgais
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - John Lyng
- Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, North Memorial Health Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Lara Rappaport
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care Center, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, Colorado
| | - Sally Snow
- Pediatric Emergency and Trauma Nursing, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Cynthia Wright-Johnson
- Emergency Medical Services for Children, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Baltimore, Maryland; and
| | - Julie C Leonard
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital and College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|