Objectives: Electric scooters (e-scooters) have contributed to a rise in injury burden and emergency department (ED) utilization since their local introduction 3 years ago. This study is a novel collaboration between the City of Calgary's Department of Transportation and emergency medicine researchers to better understand the nature and frequencies of e-scooter injuries. It quantifies the incidence and characteristics of e-scooter related injuries treated in Calgary EDs/urgent care centres (UCCs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study quantifies the frequency of adverse events (AEs) experienced by psychiatric patients while boarded in the emergency department (ED) and describes those events over a broad range of categories.
Methods: A retrospective chart review (RCR) of adult psychiatric patients aged 18-55 presenting to one of four Calgary EDs (Foothills Medical Centre (FMC), the Peter Lougheed Centre (PLC), the Rockyview General Hospital (RGH), and South Health Campus (SHC)) who were subsequently admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit between January 1, 2019 and May 15, 2019 were eligible for review. A test of association was used to determine the odds of an independent variable being associated with an adverse event.
Introduction: Children and adolescents identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ) may feel reluctant to seek medical care due to stigma and the possibility of negative interactions with health care providers. Due to the short duration of the perioperative period, the interaction in this setting is limited and providers may not have the time to develop a rapport with the patient. It is imperative that staff are trained to address the patient and family in a culturally competent manner.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Acute appendicitis is the most common gastrointestinal condition requiring urgent operation in the pediatric population with laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) being the current surgical technique. We describe the implementation of a standardized protocol to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and facilitate same-day discharge after LA.
Methods: A multidisciplinary team developed this protocol to facilitate same-day discharge after observing high rates of overnight stay due to PONV among simple appendectomies performed in 2011-2012.
Introduction: Sugammadex is a novel agent to reverse steroidal neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) with potential clinical advantages over acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as neostigmine. However, rare instances of bradycardia were reported during its initial clinical trials. To better define this issue, its incidence and mitigating factors, we prospectively evaluated heart rate changes after sugammadex administration in pediatric-aged patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To compare invasive blood pressure (IBP) readings obtained from an arterial cannula with non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurements from oscillometric cuffs on the upper and lower extremities of infants and children under general anesthesia.
Patients And Methods: Patients under 10 years of age were enrolled in our study if they were to receive general anesthesia with planned placement of a radial arterial cannula. At 5 mins intervals, IBP was measured using a fluid-coupled pressure transducer and NIBP was measured with two oscillometers with appropriately sized cuffs placed on the upper arm and lower leg, for 10 readings per patient.
Introduction: Although the transport of neonates is generally safe, adverse events can occur where equipment is a contributing factor. The aims of the study were to explore how the types of neonatal intensive care unit bed in use could impact a simulated emergency endotracheal intubation and to identify future areas for training and education.
Methods: The efficiency of endotracheal intubation performed during simulated neonatal transport using 3 different transport modalities (closed incubator bed, open incubator bed, and open radiant warmer bed) was assessed.
Pediatr Emerg Care
August 2019
Objectives: In clinical practice, there are various methods that can be used for the rapid administration of fluid in infants and children. The current study prospectively evaluates gravity, pressure-assisted, and hand-pump methods for the rapid administration of fluid using an in vitro model.
Methods: Thirty participants were asked to deliver 500 mL of fluid using 1 of 6 setups: (1) standard blood tubing with gravity administration, (2) standard blood tubing with pressure bag maintained at 300 mm Hg, (3) standard blood tubing with pressure bag inflated to 300 mm Hg and left to flow, (4) blood tubing with in-line bulb pump, (5) blood tubing with in-line bulb pump and pressure bag, and (6) standard blood tubing with 20-mL syringe attached to the stopcock for a push-and-pull technique using a 20-mL syringe.
J Clin Monit Comput
August 2020
Although a laparoscopic approach may be preferred over open procedures for abdominal surgery, there are limited data on the effect of laparoscopic procedures on cerebral and renal oxygenation in neonates and young infants. Here, we evaluated the effect in neonates and infants. In this two-center prospective observational study, we evaluated changes in cerebral and renal regional oxygen saturation (rSO) in infants during laparoscopic pyloromyotomy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOvernight admission may be necessary following adenotonsillectomy (T&A) in pediatric patients. This practice may reduce unplanned revisits following hospital discharge. Retrospective cohort study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Although preoperative anemia has been suggested to predict postsurgical morbidity and mortality among infants <1 year of age, the data were drawn from heterogeneous patient cohorts including severely ill infants undergoing complex, high-risk procedures. We aimed to determine whether untreated preoperative anemia was associated with increased risk of postoperative complications in infants <1 year of age who underwent pyloromyotomy, a common and relatively simple surgery.
Methods: Infants <1 year of age undergoing pyloromyotomy were identified from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database.
Background: Intravenous acetaminophen is commonly administered as an adjunctive to opioids during major surgical procedures, but neither the correct pharmacokinetic size descriptor nor the dose is certain in severely obese adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery.
Methods: Adolescents, 14-20 years of age, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥95th percentile for age and sex or BMI ≥40 kg·m , presenting for laparoscopic or robotic assisted or vertical sleeve gastrectomy were administered intravenous acetaminophen (1000 mg) following completion of the surgical procedure. Venous blood was drawn for acetaminophen assay at eight time points, starting 15 minutes after completion of the infusion and up to 12 hours afterward.
Introduction: As the primary source of smoke exposure is in the home, the smoking behaviors of parents and other caregivers are key determinants of a child's exposure to secondhand smoke. The perioperative period offers an opportunity to discuss smoking cessation strategies.
Methods: This prospective study included 97 parents or caregivers of patients undergoing dental surgery.
Introduction: Operating room (OR) temperature may impact the performance of health care providers. This study assesses whether hot or cold room temperature diminishes the performance of OR personnel measured by psychomotor vigilance testing (PVT) and self-report scales.
Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled surgical/anesthesia trainees, student registered nurse anesthetists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Objective: Rapid administration of fluid remains a cornerstone in treatment of shock and when caring for trauma patients. A range of devices and technologies are available to hasten fluid administration time. While new devices may optimize fluid delivery times, impact on subjective experience compared to traditional methods is poorly documented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Cerebral oxygenation can be monitored clinically by cerebral oximetry (regional oxygen saturation, rSO) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Changes in rSO have been shown to precede changes in pulse oximetry, providing an early detection of clinical deterioration. Cerebral oximetry values may be affected by various factors, including changes in ventilation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Epidural anesthesia is frequently used to provide postoperative analgesia following major surgical procedures. Secure fixation of the epidural catheter is necessary to prevent premature dislodgment and loss of epidural analgesia. Using an in vitro model, the current prospective study evaluates different types of dressings for securement of an epidural catheter by quantifying the force in Newtons (N) required for dislodgment using a digital force gage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies has increased in children, especially in those with chronic health conditions. However, this increase may not translate into acceptance of CAM in the perioperative setting. We surveyed caregivers of patients undergoing surgery to determine their knowledge and acceptance of hypnotherapy, acupuncture, and music therapy as alternatives to standard medication in the perioperative period.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUse of spinal anesthesia (SA) in children may address concerns about potential neurocognitive effects of general anesthesia. We used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess the effects of SA on cerebral and tissue oxygenation in 19 patients aged 7 ± 3 months. Prior to SA placement, NIRS monitors were placed on the forehead (cerebral) and the thigh (tissue).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLactic acid and base deficit (BD) values are frequently monitored in the intensive care unit and operating room setting to evaluate oxygenation, ventilation, cardiac output, and peripheral perfusion. Although generally obtained from an arterial cannula, such access may not always be available. The current study prospectively investigates the correlation of arterial and peripheral venous values of BD and lactic acid.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol
November 2017
Introduction: The prevalence of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has increased concurrently with the increasing prevalence of obesity. We have previously validated a short questionnaire predicting the occurrence of OSA on polysomnography (PSG). This follow-up study assessed the utility of the questionnaire in predicting postoperative outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPaediatr Anaesth
November 2017
Introduction: Untreated pain or overly aggressive pain management may lead to adverse physiologic consequences and activation of the hospital's Rapid Response Team. This study is a quality improvement initiative that attempts to identify patient demographics and patterns associated with Rapid Response Team consultations for patients on the acute pain service.
Methods: A retrospective review of all patients on the acute pain service from February 2011 until June 2015 was cross-referenced with inpatients requiring consultation from the Rapid Response Team.
Background: Changes in health insurance coverage have been implicated in limiting access to care and increasing morbidity risk. The consequences of insurance discontinuity for surgical outcomes are unclear. In this study, we explored whether recent insurance discontinuity was associated with prolonged inpatient hospitalization after adenotonsillectomy in children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Direct laryngoscopy (DL) is the most common technique for endotracheal intubation, whereas videolaryngoscopy provides an indirect view of the glottis without the need to align the oral, pharyngeal, and tracheal axes. The current study compares videolaryngoscopy with DL among experienced and inexperienced users for endotracheal intubation using a pediatric manikin.
Methods: Participants performed DL using Miller and Macintosh laryngoscopes and videolaryngoscopy using CMAC and GlideScope devices on a manikin (SimBaby; Laerdel, Wappingers Falls, NY).
Objectives: The current study prospectively evaluates the administration of fluid through commonly used vascular cannulas of various length and diameter.
Design: Observational, in vitro experiment.
Setting: Not applicable.