Association of pain score documentation and analgesic use in a pediatric emergency department.

Objectives: This study characterizes the association between pain score documentation and analgesic administration among pediatric emergency department patients.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a prospectively collected research database from an academic emergency department. Records of randomly sampled pediatric patients seen between August 2005 and October 2006 were reviewed.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenous lorazepam in pediatric patients with and without status epilepticus.

Objective: To evaluate the single dose pharmacokinetics of an intravenous dose of lorazepam in pediatric patients treated for status epilepticus (SE) or with a history of SE.

Study Design: Ten hospitals in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network enlisted patients 3 months to 17 years with convulsive SE (status cohort) or for a traditional pharmacokinetics study (elective cohort). Sparse sampling was used for the status cohort, and intensive sampling was used for the elective cohort.

Perceived challenges to obtaining informed consent for a time-sensitive emergency department study of pediatric status epilepticus: results of two focus groups.

Objectives: The objective was to describe the perspective of research personnel on issues of informed consent in a time-sensitive clinical study under emergency circumstances.

Methods: The authors convened concurrent focus groups of research staff and investigators involved in a pharmacokinetic study of lorazepam for status epilepticus (SE). Moderators led discussion with open-ended questions on selected issues of parental consent, communication and understanding, patient assent, and comparison to other types of studies.

The epidemiology of emergency medical services use by children: an analysis of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

Objective: There is an absence of nationally representative data describing pediatric patients who use emergency medical services (EMS) and the factors associated with EMS use by children. This study characterizes pediatric emergency department (ED) visits for which the patient arrived by EMS and identifies factors associated with those visits using a nationally representative database.

Methods: A secondary analysis of the ED component of the 1997-2000 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was performed.

Preferences for EMS transport and pediatric emergency department care.

Objectives: To characterize the reasons pediatric emergency department (PED), patients access emergency medical services (EMS) for transport to the pediatric ED. To describe the acceptability of other modes of transport and alternative sites of care.

Methods: We included a convenience sample of the responsible adults accompanying pediatric patients who arrived via EMS to the PED of an academic medical center.

Prospective age-based comparison of behavioral reactions occurring after ketamine sedation in the ED.

The study objective was to prospectively evaluate the frequency and severity of behavioral reactions occurring in children receiving ketamine sedation in the emergency department (ED). A behavioral observational study was conducted. Ketamine was given in a standardized protocol with midazolam, atropine, and a prehypnotic suggestion.

Research training among pediatric emergency medicine fellows.

This study examined research training characteristics among pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellows. A 45-question survey was mailed to all registrants of the 1998 National PEM Fellows' Conference. Descriptions of curricular design and administrative support components, perceived barriers, and subjective stress related to research were obtained.