Racial disparities in central line-associated bloodstream infections: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This retrospective cohort study analyzed differences in rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in Black and White inpatients across 11 southeastern US hospitals from 2019 to 2021. Results showed higher CLABSI rates in Black patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, even after adjustment for COVID-19 infection and clinical factors.

Incentives and barriers to pursuing pediatric emergency medicine fellowship: A cross-sectional survey of emergency residents.

Background: Pediatric emergency physicians complete either a pediatric or emergency residency before fellowship training. Fewer emergency graduates are pursuing a pediatric emergency fellowship during the past decade, and the reasons for this decrease are unclear.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore emergency residents' incentives and barriers to pursuing a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine (PEM).

Clinician's Experience and Self-Perceived Knowledge and Attitudes toward LGBTQ + Health Topics.

Research on clinicians' knowledge and attitudes toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) health topics has relied mostly on small early-career samples. The influence of clinical experience on knowledge and attitudes has not been examined. The study purpose was to examine physicians' and advanced practice providers' (a) self-perceived knowledge and attitudes about LGBTQ + health topics, (b) the relationship between clinical experience and self-perceived knowledge and attitudes, and (c) preferences for LGBTQ + medical education.

Points & Pearls: Pediatric hypertension and hypertensive emergencies: recognition and management in the emergency department.

Pediatric hypertension is increasing in incidence, but remains greatly underrecognized, despite its severe long-term health consequences. Often discovered as incidental to another complaint, pediatric patients with hypertension may be asymptomatic but with markedly abnormal blood pressure, or they may have a true hypertensive emergency. This issue provides strategies to ensure that the child with asymptomatic hypertension receives appropriate screening and referrals, and outlines a systematic approach for the evaluation and treatment of the critically ill child who presents with symptoms of severe hypertension.

Pediatric hypertension and hypertensive emergencies: recognition and management in the emergency department.

Pediatric hypertension is increasing in incidence, but remains greatly underrecognized, despite its severe long-term health consequences. Often discovered as incidental to another complaint, pediatric patients with hypertension may be asymptomatic but with markedly abnormal blood pressure, or they may have a true hypertensive emergency. This issue provides strategies to ensure that the child with asymptomatic hypertension receives appropriate screening and referrals, and outlines a systematic approach for the evaluation and treatment of the critically ill child who presents with symptoms of severe hypertension.

Inborn Errors of Metabolism in the Emergency Department (Undiagnosed and Management of the Known).

An inborn error of metabolism should be considered in any neonate who presents to the emergency department in extremis and in any young child who presents with altered mental status and vomiting. In children with unknown diagnoses, it is crucial to draw the appropriate laboratory studies before the institution of therapy, although treatment needs rapid institution to mitigate neurologic damage and avoid worsening metabolic crisis. Although there are hundreds of individual genetic disorders, they are roughly placed into groups that present similarly.

Faculty Mentoring Practices in Academic Emergency Medicine.

Background: Mentoring is considered a fundamental component of career success and satisfaction in academic medicine. However, there is no national standard for faculty mentoring in academic emergency medicine (EM) and a paucity of literature on the subject.

Objectives: The objective was to conduct a descriptive study of faculty mentoring programs and practices in academic departments of EM.

Emergency Department Utilization in Children <36 Months Is Not an Independent Risk Factor for Maltreatment.

Background And Objectives: Early childhood high-frequency use (HFU) of the emergency department (ED) has been endorsed as a marker for increased risk of child maltreatment. In a prior analysis of pediatric ED (PED) visits by 16,664 children, 0-36 months old, we defined early childhood HFU (the 90th percentile) as five or more visits. The purpose of this study was to follow HFU patients to determine if they had a higher likelihood of reported maltreatment.

Frequent pediatric emergency department use in infancy and early childhood.

Objective: To define the threshold and population factors associated with pediatric emergency department (PED) use above the norm during the first 36 months of life.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of children born between 2003 and 2006, treated in a single PED within the first 36 months of life. Exclusion criteria included out-of-county residence or history of abuse or neglect.

Approach to syncope and altered mental status.

Children who present with an episode of altered mental status, whether transient or persistent, present a diagnostic challenge for practitioners. This article describes some of the more common causes of altered mental status and delineates a rational approach to these patients. This will help practitioners recognize the life-threatening causes of these frightening presentations as well as help avoid unnecessary testing for the more benign causes.