Optimization of Pediatric Medical Emergency Training (PedMET) Program for Pharmacists in the Inpatient Setting.

Objective: It is perceived by many pharmacists that inadequate training and the resulting lack of confidence hinder participation in medical emergencies. There is insufficient information detailing training programs for pharmacists responding to pediatric medical emergencies. The primary objective of this study was to compare competency scores pre and post participation in the pediatric medical emergency training (PedMET) program.

Methylprednisolone dosing for pediatric critical asthma: a single-center cohort study.

Objective: We aimed to characterize intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone (MP) dosing regimens and clinical outcomes for children hospitalized for critical asthma (CA).

Methods: A single-center, retrospective review was performed of children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for CA between September 2015 and October 2019. Patients 5-to 17-year-olds, initiated on continuous nebulized albuterol, and prescribed at least one dose of IV MP were included.

Vitamin K Prescribing Trends Among Critically Ill Children Hospitalized for Sepsis: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study.

Vitamin K (VK) is commonly prescribed for pediatric sepsis-induced coagulopathy without trial-derived evidence to support its use for this indication. The purpose of this study was to characterize national prescribing trends for VK in this population. This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System registry including children 0 to 17 years of age hospitalized for sepsis in the pediatric intensive care unit from January 2016 through December 2022.

Dexamethasone versus methylprednisolone for critical asthma: A single center, open-label, parallel-group clinical trial.

Background: Evidence for the use of dexamethasone for pediatric critical asthma is limited. We sought to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of dexamethasone versus methylprednisolone among children hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for critical asthma.

Methods: A prospective, single center, open-label, two-arm, parallel-group, nonrandomized trial among children ages 5-17 years hospitalized within the PICU from April 2019 to December 2021 for critical asthma consented to receive methylprednisolone (standard care) or dexamethasone (intervention) at a 2:1 allocation ratio, respectively.

Dexamethasone for Pediatric Critical Asthma: A Multicenter Descriptive Study.

Background: Systemic corticosteroids are vital to critical asthma management. While intravenous methylprednisolone is routinely used in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting, recent data supports dexamethasone as an alternative. Using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) registry, we assessed trends and variation in corticosteroid prescribing among children hospitalized for critical asthma.

Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis for Critical Asthma.

Background: Children hospitalized for critical asthma (CA) in the pediatric ICU (PICU) are commonly prescribed stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) to mitigate risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We sought to describe trends for SUP prescribing and explore for differences in rates of GI bleeding, gastritis, and SUP-related complications for those with and without SUP exposure.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, multicenter cohort study using the Pediatric Hospital Information System registry among 42 children's hospitals from 2010 to 2019 including children 3 to 17 years of age admitted to the PICU for CA.

Pediatric asthma severity scores distinguish suitable inpatient level of care for children admitted for status asthmaticus.

To determine if the Pediatric Asthma Severity Score (PASS) can distinguish "late-rescues" (transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit [PICU] within 24-hours of general pediatric floor admission), "PICU readmissions" (readmission within 24-h after transfer to a lower inpatient level of care), and unplanned 30-day hospital readmission in children admitted with status asthmaticus. We performed a single center, retrospective cohort study in 328 children admitted for asthma exacerbation aged 5-18 years from May 2015 to October 2017. We sought to determine if PASS values preceding admission from the emergency department or transfer to the general pediatric unit will be greater in children with late rescues and PICU readmissions and if a cutoff PASS values exist to discriminate these events prior to intrafacility transfer.

Stress ulcer prophylaxis in children with status asthmaticus receiving systemic corticosteroids: a descriptive study assessing frequency of clinically important bleeding.

To determine the frequency of clinically important bleeding (CIB) among children hospitalized for status asthmaticus with and without exposure to stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP). We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort in 217 children admitted for asthma exacerbation aged 5-18 years from May 2015 to May 2017. We assessed cohorts with and without exposure to SUP to determine if differences in frequency of CIB exist.

Temperature-sensitive Medications in Interfacility Transport: The Ice Pack Myth.

Introduction: Critical Care Transport teams use various strategies to maintain temperature sensitive drugs and equipment at optimal temperature. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of current passive refrigeration of temperature sensitive transport medications/equipment.

Methods: Initially, we performed a retrospective review of transport durations.