Use adult paddles in a pinch
October 1, 1998 less than 1 minute read
Use adult paddles in a pinch
If you're facing a pediatric cardiac arrest and can't find pediatric paddles to cardiovert or defibrillate the patient, don't panic. "Since we use the pediatric paddles less often, they can be difficult to locate," says Carolynn Zonia, DO, FACEP, education director at the ED at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, IL. "New monitors often have these under the adult paddles, so you just slide the adult paddle face off and the pedi paddle face is there. Older monitors require you to unplug the adult paddles and plug in the pediatric paddles."
If pediatric paddles cannot be located, you can still use the adult paddles in an "anterior-posterior" position, says Zonia. "Just turn the child on his or her side and place the 'apex' paddle just left of the sternum, and the 'sternum' paddle on the child's back," she recommends. "Remember to use conductive jel or pads."
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