Browse Pediatric Emergency Medicine Articles by Topic

Did Emergency Provider Discuss Sensitive Topics with Adolescent?

Protecting confidentiality is the primary consideration for emergency care providers discussing sensitive topics with adolescent patients, including documentation in the medical record, discharge papers, lab results, and billing. Confidential conversations can be protected in the medical record several ways, including using confidential notes that are not visible to all.

Consensus Panel Offers Guidance for Pediatric Mental Health Boarding

EDs nationwide continue to see pediatric mental health patients boarded in the department for long periods while awaiting inpatient bed placement. A group of 23 experts from 17 health systems sought to identify what EDs are facing, to learn how departments are handling the problem, and to offer recommendations to standardize practices.

Diagnosis and Management of Abscesses

Abscesses are a common complication of skin and soft tissue infections that frequently are encountered in the emergency department. The authors discuss current considerations in the diagnosis and management of abscesses, including recurrent abscesses and the role of ultrasound and antibiotics.

Progress on Pediatric Readiness in EDs Continues

The pandemic slowed progress and not all emergency departments fully adhere to national guidelines, but continuous improvement is evident.

Fewer Delays in Sepsis Treatment via Provider in Triage Model

However, more research is needed to identify which key elements of this process can be reliably replicated using cost-effective resources to balance liabilities and risks.

Computed Tomography Scans in Pediatric Trauma

Computed tomography has become an invaluable tool for the evaluation of a pediatric trauma patient. However, there are risks associated with use of this technology, and balancing the risks and benefits is critical. The authors present a balanced approach to the appropriate use of this imaging modality in children who sustain trauma.

Patient Progression Hub Optimizes Throughput, Centralizes Decision-Making

Children’s Mercy in Kansas City aims to leverage an impressive array of artificial intelligence-driven tools, predictive analytics, and other feats of engineering to hone patient flow to new heights of efficiency.

Shorten Lengths of Stay, Reduce Revisit Rates for Pediatric Patients Who Present with Behavioral Health Needs

EDs might rely on telemedicine from a third-party company, a sister hospital with pediatricians on staff, consult services from local pediatricians, or ensure at least one provider in the department is trained in pediatric care.

What Happens if Police Bring a Child to the ED?

Try gathering healthcare providers, quality officers, the legal department, security, and local law enforcement monthly to discuss disagreements about minors in custody. These conversations can inform efforts to revise policies, with the goal of preventing future disputes.

Researchers Use Advanced Technology to Detect MIS-C

Scientists want to improve diagnostic techniques for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, which became a confounding problem during the COVID-19 pandemic.