Intravenous Magnesium in Asthma Pharmacotherapy: Variability in Use in the PECARN Registry.

Objective: To examine the use, efficacy, and safety of intravenous magnesium sulfate (IVMg) in children with asthma whose emergency department (ED) management is recorded in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Registry.

Study Design: This multicenter retrospective cohort study analyzed clinical data from 7 EDs from 2012 to 2017. We described use of IVMg in children aged 2-17 years treated for acute asthma and its effect on blood pressure.

Prospective study of serum and ionized magnesium pharmacokinetics in the treatment of children with severe acute asthma.

Purpose: Intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate (MgSO) is clinically useful as adjunct therapy in treating acute asthma exacerbations. Despite its clinical utility, the disposition of magnesium in children is poorly described. The purpose of this study is to describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of ionized and total serum magnesium following IV MgSO administration in children with severe acute asthma.

Should we fear "flu fear" itself? Effects of H1N1 influenza fear on ED use.

Background: Surges in patient volumes compromise emergency departments' (EDs') ability to deliver care, as shown by the recent H1N1 influenza (flu) epidemic. Media reports are important in informing the public about health threats, but the effects of media-induced anxiety on ED volumes are unclear.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of widespread public concern about flu on ED use.

Children with asthma admitted to a pediatric observation unit.

Objective: Observation units (OUs) serve patients who require more evaluation or treatment than possible during an emergency department visit and who are anticipated to stay in the hospital for a short defined period. Asthma is a common admission diagnosis in a pediatric OU. Our main objective was to identify clinical factors associated with failure to discharge a child with asthma from our OU within 24 hours.

Pediatric closed head injuries treated in an observation unit.

Background: Closed head injury (CHI) is common in childhood and frequently results in hospital admission for observation and treatment. Observation units (OUs) have shown significant benefits for patients and physicians. At our institution, a level 1 pediatric trauma center, patients with CHI are often admitted to an OU for up to 24 hours of observation and treatment.

Physician satisfaction with a pediatric observation unit administered by pediatric emergency medicine physicians.

Objectives: Observation units (OUs) are widely used to care for adults, but little is published about their use in pediatrics. During the planning stages of our pediatric OU, community primary medical doctors (PMDs) expressed concerns about not admitting and managing their own patients in this unit controlled by pediatric emergency physicians. This study surveyed PMDs to determine their satisfaction with the pediatric OU two and a half years after opening.

Propofol sedation by emergency physicians for elective pediatric outpatient procedures.

Study Objective: We describe the efficacy of propofol sedation administered by pediatric emergency physicians to facilitate painful outpatient procedures.

Methods: By using a protocol for patients receiving propofol sedation in an emergency department-affiliated short-stay unit, a prospective, consecutive case series was performed from January to September 2000. Patients were prescheduled, underwent a medical evaluation, and met fasting requirements.