@article{ref1,
title="Preparedness of Selected Pediatric Offices to Respond to Critical Emergencies in Children",
journal="Pediatric emergency care",
year="2006",
author="Santillanes, Genevieve and Gausche-Hill, Marianne and Sosa, Bernardo",
volume="22",
number="11",
pages="694-698",
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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0749-5161",
doi="10.1097/01.pec.0000238744.73735.0e",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.pec.0000238744.73735.0e"
}