The use of methadone to facilitate opioid weaning in pediatric critical care patients: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.

Background: Continuous opioid infusion therapy is commonly utilized in the pediatric intensive care setting to treat pain and facilitate tolerance of invasive therapies. Transitioning to methadone is one common strategy for weaning from continuous opioid infusions, but in practice this transition can be challenging, and many children still experience iatrogenic withdrawal.

Aim: We reviewed the literature to evaluate the best available evidence to guide methadone therapy in this setting, and to summarize associated adverse events.

A Pediatric Sedation Protocol for Mechanically Ventilated Patients Requires Sustenance Beyond Implementation.

Objectives: To reevaluate the effect of a nursing-driven sedation protocol for mechanically ventilated patients on analgesic and sedative medication dosing durations. We hypothesized that lack of continued quality improvement efforts results in increased sedation exposure, as well as mechanical ventilation days, and ICU length of stay.

Design: Quasi-experimental, uncontrolled before-after study.

Parent opinions about use of text messaging for immunization reminders.

Background: Adherence to childhood immunization schedules is a function of various factors. Given the increased use of technology as a strategy to increase immunization coverage, it is important to investigate how parents perceive different forms of communication, including traditional means and text-message reminders.

Objective: To examine current forms of communication about immunization information, parents' satisfaction levels with these communication modes, perceived barriers and benefits to using text messaging, and the ideal content of text messages for immunization reminders.

Using human factors techniques to design text message reminders for childhood immunization.

This study engaged parents to develop concise, informative, and comprehensible text messages for an immunization reminder system using Human Factors techniques. Fifty parents completed a structured interview including demographics, technology questions, willingness to receive texts from their child's doctor, and health literacy. Each participant was assigned to one user-centered design test: card sort, needs analysis, or comprehension.

One community's perspective on the withdrawal of cough and cold medications for infants and young children.

The study goals were to assess, via survey (a) parental knowledge regarding the use of over-the counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines in children younger than the age of 6 years and (b) the effects of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations on community pediatricians following voluntary withdrawal of these medications. Of the 179 parents surveyed, approximately 60% had used OTC cough and cold medicines in the past, and many parents indicated an inappropriate dose when asked. Parents who were aware of the recall were significantly less likely to continue use (P < .