An intervention to improve pain management in the pediatric emergency department.

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the impact of a structured intervention on pain management in a pediatric emergency department (ED).

Methods: Data were prospectively collected from children presenting to an urban tertiary care pediatric ED before and after intervention. Data were collected on the rate and timeliness of analgesic administration, the assessment and reassessment of pain, periprocedural anesthesia, and patient satisfaction.

Prevalence of occult anemia in an urban pediatric emergency department: what is our response?

Objective: Treating or referring patients who are found to be anemic during pediatric emergency department (ED) encounters should lead to improved health in children and young adults. Before establishing guidelines how to approach the anemic in the pediatric ED, it is essential to determine the prevalence of anemia in the ED and our response to the presence of anemia.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study on hemoglobin levels from patients 1 to 23 years evaluated in an inner-city public hospital pediatric ED during a 12-month period.

The digital rectal examination in pediatric trauma: a pilot study.

This pilot study examined the utility of a routinely performed digital rectal examination (DRE) in pediatric trauma patients. A prospective convenience sample of patients 0 to 18 years of age presenting to the pediatric emergency department of an urban level I trauma center with a history of trauma to the spine or trunk was enrolled. An abnormal DRE was defined by the presence of gross or occult blood, decreased sphincter tone, compromised integrity of the rectal vault, or a high riding prostate.