Citation

Santillanes G, Gausche-Hill M, Sosa B. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2006; 22(11): 694-698.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Emergency Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA; ‡Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA and Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.pec.0000238744.73735.0e

PMID

17110859

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To determine the preparedness of pediatric offices that had activated emergency medical services (EMS) for a critically ill child requiring airway management. METHODS:: Fifteen patients who initially presented to pediatric or family practice offices but required EMS activation and cardiac and/or respiratory support were identified from a previous prospective study of airway management in children. Two to 4 years after the emergency requiring EMS activation, the offices were contacted to complete a written survey about office preparedness for pediatric emergencies. RESULTS:: Eight of 15 offices (53%) returned a survey. Pediatricians staffed all responding offices, and all offices were within 5 miles of an emergency department. Airway emergencies were the most common emergencies seen in the offices. Availability of emergency equipment and medications varied. All offices stocked albuterol, and most (7/8) had an oxygen source with a flowmeter. However, only half of the offices had a fast-acting anticonvulsant, and a quarter had no anticonvulsant. Three offices lacked bag-mask (manual) resuscitators with all appropriate sized masks, and 3 offices lacked suction. The most common reasons cited for not stocking all emergency equipment and drugs were quick response time of EMS and proximity to an emergency department. CONCLUSIONS:: Even after treating a critically ill child who required advanced cardiac and/or pulmonary support, offices were ill prepared to handle another serious pediatric illness or injury.

Language: en