Citation

Best RR, Harris BHL, Walsh JL, Manfield T. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2017; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

From the *Cardiff University School of Medicine; †Institute of Medicine Education, Cardiff, Wales; ‡St Anne's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, England; §Department of Cardiology, St George's Hospital, Tooting, London; and ∥Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, Llanelli, Wales, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEC.0000000000001169

PMID

28486266

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children. Resuscitating a child following submersion is a high-pressure situation, and standard operating procedures can reduce error. Currently, the Resuscitation Council UK guidance does not include a standard operating procedure on pediatric drowning. The objective of this project was to design a standard operating procedure to improve outcomes of drowned children.

METHODS: A literature review on the management of pediatric drowning was conducted. Relevant publications were used to develop a standard operating procedure for management of pediatric drowning.

RESULTS: A concise standard operating procedure was developed for resuscitation following pediatric submersion. Specific recommendations include the following: the Heimlich maneuver should not be used in this context; however, prolonged resuscitation and therapeutic hypothermia are recommended.

CONCLUSIONS: This standard operating procedure is a potentially useful adjunct to the Resuscitation Council UK guidance and should be considered for incorporation into its next iteration.

Language: en