Frances M. Nadel

Identification of children at very low risk of clinically-important brain injuries after head trauma: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND CT imaging of head-injured children has risks of radiation-induced malignancy. Our aim was to identify children at very low risk of clinically-important traumatic brain injuries (ciTBI) for whom CT might be unnecessary. METHODS We enrolled patients younger than 18 years presenting within 24 h of head trauma with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 14-15 in 25 North American emergency departments. We derived and validated age-specific prediction rules for ciTBI (death from traumatic brain injury, neurosurgery, intubation >24 h, or hospital admission >or=2 nights). FINDINGS We enrolled and analysed 42 412 children (derivation and validation populations: 8502 and 2216 younger than 2 years, and 25 283 and 6411 aged 2 years and older). We obtained CT scans on 14 969 (35.3%); ciTBIs occurred in 376 (0.9%), and 60 (0.1%) underwent neurosurgery. In the validation population, the prediction rule for children younger than 2 years (normal mental status, no scalp haematoma except frontal, no loss of consciousness or loss of consciousness for less than 5 s, non-severe injury mechanism, no palpable skull fracture, and acting normally according to the parents) had a negative predictive value for ciTBI of 1176/1176 (100.0%, 95% CI 99.7-100 0) and sensitivity of 25/25 (100%, 86.3-100.0). 167 (24.1%) of 694 CT-imaged patients younger than 2 years were in this low-risk group. The prediction rule for children aged 2 years and older (normal mental status, no loss of consciousness, no vomiting, non-severe injury mechanism, no signs of basilar skull fracture, and no severe headache) had a negative predictive value of 3798/3800 (99.95%, 99.81-99.99) and sensitivity of 61/63 (96.8%, 89.0-99.6). 446 (20.1%) of 2223 CT-imaged patients aged 2 years and older were in this low-risk group. Neither rule missed neurosurgery in validation populations. INTERPRETATION These validated prediction rules identified children at very low risk of ciTBIs for whom CT can routinely be obviated. FUNDING The Emergency Medical Services for Children Programme of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau Research Programme, Health Resources and Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services.

Assessing pediatric senior residents' training in resuscitation: Fund of knowledge, technical skills, and perception of confidence

Objective To describe pediatric housestaff knowledge, experience, confidence in pediatric resuscitations and their ability to perform important resuscitation procedures during the usual training experience. Design and participants Cohort study of PGY-3 level residents in a ACGME accredited pediatric residency training program at a large, tertiary care children’s hospital. Methods Fund of knowledge was assessed by administering the standardized test from the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Course in addition to a supplemental short answer test requiring clinical problem-solving skills. Procedural skills were evaluated through observation of the resident performing four procedures during a skills workshop using a weighted step-wise grading sheet. Resident experience and confidence was quantified using an anonymous survey. Results Ninety-seven percent of residents participated. Residents achieved high scores on the standardized PALS test (93.2% ± 5.5), but performed less well when answering more complicated questions (60.0% ± 9.9) on the short answer test. No resident was able to successfully perform both basic and advanced airway skills, and only 11% successfully completed both vascular skills. Although residents were overall confident in their resuscitation skills, performance in the skill workshop revealed significant deficits. For example, only 18% performed ancillary airway maneuvers properly. None of the residents performed all four skills correctly. Experience in both real and mock resuscitations was infrequent. Residents reported receiving feedback on their performance less than half of the time. Over 89% of them felt that resuscitation knowledge and skill were important for their future chosen career. Conclusion Pediatric residents infrequently lead or participate in real or mock resuscitations. Although confident in performing many of the necessary resuscitation skills, few residents performed critical components of these skills correctly. Current pediatric residency training may not provide sufficient experience to develop adequate skills, fund of knowledge, or confidence needed for resuscitation.

Effect of high-fidelity simulation on Pediatric Advanced Life Support training in pediatric house staff: a randomized trial.

Objectives: To assess the effect of high-fidelity simulation (SIM) on cognitive performance after a training session involving several mock resuscitations designed to teach and reinforce Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) algorithms. Methods: Pediatric residents were randomized to high-fidelity simulation (SIM) or standard mannequin (MAN) groups. Each subject completed 3 study phases: (1) mock code exercises (asystole, tachydysrhythmia, respiratory arrest, and shock) to assess baseline performance (PRE phase), (2) a didactic session reviewing PALS algorithms, and (3) repeated mock code exercises requiring identical cognitive skills in a different clinical context to assess change in performance (POST phase). SIM subjects completed all 3 phases using a high-fidelity simulator (SimBaby, Laerdal Medical, Stavanger, Norway), and MAN subjects used SimBaby without simulated physical findings (ie, as a standard mannequin). Performance in PRE and POST was measured by a scoring instrument designed to measure cognitive performance; scores were scaled to a range of 0 to 100 points. Improvement in performance from PRE to POST phases was evaluated by mixed modeling using a random intercept to account for within-subject variability. Results: Fifty-one subjects (SIM, 25; MAN, 26) completed all phases. The PRE performance was similar between groups. Both groups demonstrated improvement in POST performance. The improvement in scores between PRE and POST phases was significantly better in the SIM group (mean [SD], 11.1 [4.8] vs. 4.8 [1.7], P = 0.007). Conclusions: The use of high-fidelity simulation in a PALS training session resulted in improved cognitive performance by pediatric house staff. Future studies should address skill and knowledge decays and team dynamics, and clearly defined and reproducible outcome measures should be sought.

A qualitative assessment of reasons for nonurgent visits to the emergency department: parent and health professional opinions.

Objective Each day, children incur more than 69,000 emergency department (ED) visits, with 58% to 82% of them for nonurgent reasons. The objectives of this study were to elicit and to describe guardians’ and health professionals’ opinions on reasons for nonurgent pediatric ED visits. Methods Focus groups sessions were held with 3 groups of guardians, 2 groups of primary care practitioners, and 1 group of pediatric emergency medicine physicians. Participants identified unique factors and their importance related to nonurgent ED use. Results A total of 25 guardians and 42 health professionals participated. Guardians had at least 1 child younger than 5 years, most were self-identified racial/ethnic minorities, and nearly all had taken a child to an ED. Guardians focused on perceived illness severity in their children and needs for diagnostic testing or other interventions, as well as accessibility and availability at times of day that worked for them. Professionals focused on systems issues concerning availability of appointments, as well as parents’ lack of knowledge of medical conditions and sense of when use of the ED was appropriate. Conclusions Guardians’ concerns about perceptions of severity of illness in children and their schedules must be considered to effectively reduce nonurgent ED use, which may differ from the perceptions of professionals. Health professionals and systems seeking ways to decrease ED utilization may be able to better match capacity to demand both by increasing accessibility to primary care and by working to overcome guardians’ perceptions that only EDs can handle acute illnesses or injuries.

Activated charcoal administration in a pediatric emergency department.

Objectives: Activated charcoal is the commonest form of gastrointestinal decontamination offered to potentially poisoned children within United States emergency departments. Our aim was to describe this practice with regard to timing, route of administration, use of flavoring agents, and occurrence of adverse events other than vomiting. Methods: Descriptive data were prospectively collected from consecutive administrations of single-dose activated charcoal, within an urban, academic pediatric emergency department, over a period of 2.5 years. Results: Two hundred seventy-five subjects were enrolled. The median time elapsed between ingestion and emergency department arrival was 1.2 hours. Although 55% of children were administered charcoal within 1 hour of emergency department presentation, only 7.8% received charcoal within 1 hour of poisoning exposure. Forty-four percent of children younger than 6 years, 50% of 6-year to 12-year olds, and 89% of 12-year to 18-year olds drank the charcoal voluntarily (P < 0.01). Medical staff chose not to offer charcoal orally to 42 asymptomatic children among the 176 subjects under the age of 6 years. Of the 114 young children offered oral charcoal, 36 (32%) refused or were intolerant. Nurses added flavoring agents to the charcoal in 59% of oral administrations, but this act did not enhance observed palatability. Among children younger than 6 years, the median time from first sip to complete ingestion of charcoal slurry was 15 minutes. One pulmonary aspiration event and a case of constipation were noted. Conclusions: Despite published guidelines, children treated in an emergency department rarely received charcoal within 1 hour of ingestion. Gastric tube administration of charcoal varies by age and is partly subjective in its application. We found no evidence that excipient flavoring of charcoal improved success of administration. Pulmonary aspiration of charcoal, although uncommon, should be considered when assessing the risk of therapy. We offer a report of symptomatic constipation from single-dose charcoal.

Do children with blunt head trauma and normal cranial computed tomography scan results require hospitalization for neurologic observation

STUDY OBJECTIVE Children evaluated in the emergency department (ED) with minor blunt head trauma, defined by initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 14 or 15, are frequently hospitalized despite normal cranial computed tomography (CT) scan results. We seek to identify the frequency of neurologic complications in children with minor blunt head trauma and normal ED CT scan results. METHODS We conducted a prospective, multicenter observational cohort study of children younger than 18 years with blunt head trauma (including isolated head or multisystem trauma) at 25 centers between 2004 and 2006. In this substudy, we analyzed individuals with initial GCS scores of 14 or 15 who had normal cranial CT scan results during ED evaluation. An abnormal imaging study result was defined by any intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral edema, pneumocephalus, or any skull fracture. Patients with normal CT scan results who were hospitalized were followed to determine neurologic outcomes; those discharged to home from the ED received telephone/mail follow-up to assess for subsequent neuroimaging, neurologic complications, or neurosurgical intervention. RESULTS Children (13,543) with GCS scores of 14 or 15 and normal ED CT scan results were enrolled, including 12,584 (93%) with GCS scores of 15 and 959 (7%) with GCS scores of 14. Of 13,543 patients, 2,485 (18%) were hospitalized, including 2,107 of 12,584 (17%) with GCS scores of 15 and 378 of 959 (39%) with GCS scores of 14. Of the 11,058 patients discharged home from the ED, successful telephone/mail follow-up was completed for 8,756 (79%), and medical record, continuous quality improvement, and morgue review was performed for the remaining patients. One hundred ninety-seven (2%) children received subsequent CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); 5 (0.05%) had abnormal CT/MRI scan results and none (0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0% to 0.03%) received a neurosurgical intervention. Of the 2,485 hospitalized patients, 137 (6%) received subsequent CT or MRI; 16 (0.6%) had abnormal CT/MRI scan results and none (0%; 95% CI 0% to 0.2%) received a neurosurgical intervention. The negative predictive value for neurosurgical intervention for a child with an initial GCS score of 14 or 15 and a normal CT scan result was 100% (95% CI 99.97% to 100%). CONCLUSION Children with blunt head trauma and initial ED GCS scores of 14 or 15 and normal cranial CT scan results are at very low risk for subsequent traumatic findings on neuroimaging and extremely low risk of needing neurosurgical intervention. Hospitalization of children with minor head trauma after normal CT scan results for neurologic observation is generally unnecessary.

Perception of realism during mock resuscitations by pediatric housestaff: the impact of simulated physical features.

Introduction: Physical signs that can be seen, heard, and felt are one of the cardinal features that convey realism in patient simulations. In critically ill children, physical signs are relied on for clinical management despite their subjective nature. Current technology is limited in its ability to effectively simulate some of these subjective signs; at the same time, data supporting the educational benefit of simulated physical features as a distinct entity are lacking. We surveyed pediatric housestaff as to the realism of scenarios with and without simulated physical signs. Methods: Residents at three childrens hospitals underwent a before-and-after assessment of performance in mock resuscitations requiring Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), with a didactic review of PALS as the intervention between the assessments. Each subject was randomized to a simulator with physical features either activated (simulator group) or deactivated (mannequin group). Subjects were surveyed as to the realism of the scenarios. Univariate analysis of responses was done between groups. Subjects in the high-fidelity group were surveyed as to the relative importance of specific physical features in enhancing realism. Results: Fifty-one subjects completed all surveys. Subjects in the high-fidelity group rated all scenarios more highly than low-fidelity subjects; the difference achieved statistical significance in scenarios featuring a patient in asystole or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (P < 0.04 for both comparisons). Chest wall motion and palpable pulses were rated most highly among physical features in contributing to realism. Conclusions: PALS scenarios were rated as highly realistic by pediatric residents. Slight differences existed between subjects exposed to simulated physical features and those not exposed to them; these differences were most pronounced in scenarios involving pulselessness. Specific physical features were rated as more important than others by subjects. Data from these surveys may be informative in designing future simulation technology.

Epidemiology of Blunt Head Trauma in Children in U.S. Emergency Departments

Among more than 43,000 children treated in 25 emergency departments for blunt head trauma, traumatic brain injury was identified on CT scan in 7% of the patients. Falls were the most frequent injury mechanism for children under the age of 12 years.

A Survey of Emergency Department Management of Acute Urticaria in Children

Objectives: To describe emergency department management of acute urticaria in children and to determine factors associated with management strategies and adherence to practice guidelines. Methods: Self-administered cross-sectional survey mailed to all Section of Emergency Medicine members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (n = 1190) and 1000 randomly selected members of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Main outcome measure was proportion of respondents adhering to published guidelines. Factors associated with management strategies were analyzed using bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Results: Of 2190 surveys sent, 1137 (52.5%) were available for analysis. Respondents included 44.6% pediatric emergency physicians, 36.4% emergency physicians, and 15.3% pediatricians. First-generation histamine (H)1 antagonists alone were the most common therapy used on initial presentation of acute urticaria, followed by corticosteroids, H2 antagonists, and second-generation H1 antagonists, used by only 7.8%, despite their recommendation as first-line therapy. Physicians working in an emergency department as opposed to an urgent or primary care setting were less likely to use second-generation H1 antagonists (odds ratio [OR], 0.3 [0.1-0.7]). General emergency physicians were 2.6 times more likely to use H2 antagonists and more than 3 times as likely to use corticosteroids. Only 14.2% of physicians overall were familiar with guideline recommendations. Conclusions: Minimal awareness and use of existing guidelines, and low concordance with published recommendations exist. Management practices vary and are influenced by training, practice setting, and clinical experience.

Chest Compression Quality Over Time in Pediatric Resuscitations

BACKGROUND: Chest compression (CC) quality deteriorates with time in adults, possibly because of rescuer fatigue. Little data exist on compression quality in children or on work done to perform compressions in general. We hypothesized that compression quality, work, and rescuer fatigue would differ in child versus adult manikin models. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized crossover study of 45 in-hospital rescuers performing 10 minutes of single-rescuer continuous compressions on each manikin. An accelerometer recorded compression quality measures over 30-second epochs. Work and power were calculated from recorded force data. A modified visual analogue scale measured fatigue. Data were analyzed by using linear mixed-effects models and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 88 484 compression cycles were analyzed. Percent adequate CCs/epoch (rate ≥ 100/minute, depth ≥ 38 mm) fell over 10 minutes (child: from 85.1% to 24.6%, adult: from 86.3% to 35.3%; P = .15) and were <70% in both by 2 minutes. Peak work per compression cycle was 13.1 J in the child and 14.3 J in the adult (P = .06; difference, 1.2 J; 95% confidence interval, −0.05 to 2.5). Peak power output was 144.1 W in the child and 166.5 W in the adult (P < .001; difference, 22.4 W, 95% confidence interval, 9.8–35.0). CONCLUSIONS: CC quality deteriorates similarly in child and adult manikin models. Peak work per compression cycle is comparable in both. Peak power output is analogous to that generated during intense exercise such as running. CC providers should switch every 2 minutes as recommended by current guidelines.