Publications by authors named "Anna Karpas"
Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine which method of head injury evaluation, immediate computed tomography (CT) or observation, parents would prefer for their child when given the opportunity to make an informed decision and to determine factors influencing preference.
Methods: Parents of head-injured children 2 years or older who presented to a pediatric emergency department were eligible. After triage evaluation, and before physician assessment, research assistants presented educational materials regarding the method, risks, and benefits of both immediate CT and observation.
Objective: The objective was to create an animated video to teach parents about the appropriate use of antibiotics and to compare their knowledge to parents who were provided with the American Academy of Pediatrics pamphlet. We hypothesized that the video format would result in improved comprehension and retention.
Methods: This prospective randomized, controlled trial was conducted in an urban pediatric emergency department.
Objective: To determine which rehydration method, oral or intravenous, parents would choose for their child when given the opportunity to make an informed decision and to determine factors influencing preference.
Methods: Parents of children, aged 6 months to 5 years, who presented to a pediatric emergency department with a chief complaint of vomiting and/or diarrhea were eligible. After triage evaluation and before physician assessment, research assistants presented educational materials regarding the method, risks, and benefits of both oral and intravenous rehydration.
Interexaminer reliability in physical examination of pediatric patients with abdominal pain.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med
April 2005
Objective: To test the interexaminer reliability of abdominal examinations performed by pediatric emergency medicine physicians and surgeons in an emergency department.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study in which 3 different types of physicians (pediatric emergency department residents, pediatric emergency department attending physicians, and pediatric surgeons in training) independently examined a convenience sample of children (aged 3-19 years) with initial complaint of abdominal pain. The interexaminer reliability of 6 components of the abdominal examination (the presence or absence of abdominal distension, abdominal tenderness to percussion, abdominal tenderness to palpation, abdominal guarding, rebound tenderness, and bowel sounds) and the clinical diagnosis of peritonitis was tested.
Objectives: To determine the ability of pediatric emergency department (ED) nurses to accurately apply the Ottawa Ankle Rules (OAR) and to evaluate whether the rate of negative ankle radiographs can be reduced by incorporating the OAR into an existing collaborative practice protocol (CPP).
Methods: The authors' ED currently uses a CPP in which patients with ankle pain, swelling, deformity, or decreased range of motion on primary nursing assessment undergo radiography prior to physician evaluation. A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and November 2000.