Recreational cannabis legalization and pediatric exposures in Massachusetts, United States.

Introduction: In Massachusetts, US, medical cannabis legalisation was associated with increased paediatric cannabis exposure cases, including emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. The impact of recreational cannabis legalisation (RCL) on paediatric exposures in Massachusetts has yet to be studied.

Methods: To compare the incidences before and after RCL in Massachusetts, US, we queried the data on paediatric cannabis exposure cases in 2016-2021 from the Centre for Healthcare and Analysis and Injury Surveillance Programme at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Helmet Use in Preventing Head Injuries in Bicycling, Snow Sports, and Other Recreational Activities and Sports.

Recreational activities and sports are a common and popular way for youth to enjoy physical activity; however, there are risks related to physical injury. Injuries can potentially result in death and long-term disability, especially from traumatic brain injury. Helmet use can significantly decrease the risk of fatal and nonfatal head injury, including severe traumatic brain injury and facial injuries when participating in recreational sports.

Helmet Use in Preventing Head Injuries in Bicycling, Snow Sports, and Other Recreational Activities and Sports.

Bicycling, snow sports, and other recreational activities and sports are important activities to keep children and youth active as part of a healthy lifestyle. These activities can be associated with serious and fatal head and facial injuries. Helmets, when worn correctly, are effective in decreasing head injuries and fatalities related to these activities.

Implementation of a Nurse-Driven Asthma Pathway in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Unlabelled: Asthma is one of the most common conditions requiring admission to a pediatric intensive care unit. Dosing and weaning medications, particularly bronchodilators, are highly variable, and evidence-based weaning algorithms for clinicians are lacking in this setting.

Methods: Patients admitted to a quaternary pediatric intensive care unit diagnosed with acute severe asthma were evaluated for time spent receiving continuous albuterol therapy, the length of stay in the intensive unit care unit, and the length of stay in the hospital.

Pediatric Magnet Ingestions After Federal Rule Changes, 2009-2019.

This study describes trends in emergency department visits for ingestions by children of small neodymium magnets between 2009 and 2019, before, during, and after a 2014 Consumer Product Safety Commission rule restricting their sales.

Going green: decreasing medical waste in a paediatric intensive care unit in the United States.

The healthcare industry generates significant waste and carbon emissions that negatively impact the environment. Intensive care units (ICU) are a major contributor to the production of waste, due to patient complexity and needs requiring extensive equipment, cleaning practices and pre-emptive supplies. To quantify the extent of the problem, health care professionals collected all unused medical supplies destined to be discarded over three one-week periods in a paediatric intensive care unit, weighed the items, and created an inventory.

Distracted Driving Laws and Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities.

Background: Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) continue to be the leading cause of death in youth 16 to 24 years old in the United States. Distracted driving has been shown to increase the risk of MVCs in all drivers, particularly teenagers. We aimed to determine the association between fatal MVC rates involving 16- to 19-year-old drivers and state distracted driving laws.

Firearm-related injuries in children and adolescents: an emergency and critical care perspective.

Purpose Of Review: Firearms are a leading cause of death and injury in children, especially in the United States. Many of these injuries present to emergency departments and pediatric ICUs, prompting a need for updated prevention, interventions, and trauma-informed care. This review explores the evidence for prevention and screening for access to firearms, types of injuries, and considerations for mass casualty events.

Fire Pit-Related Burn Injuries in Children and Adolescents.

Thermal burns are a leading cause of preventable injury in children and adolescents. Fire pits have become increasingly popular outdoor fixtures in U.S.

Age Legislation and Off-Road Vehicle Injuries in Children.

Background And Objectives: In 2010, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a comprehensive law that restricted off-road vehicle (ORV) use by children <14 years old and regulated ORV use by children up to the age of 18 years. We aimed to examine the impact of the 2010 Massachusetts law on the rates of ORV-related injuries.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of Massachusetts emergency department (ED) and inpatient discharges between 2002 and 2013 as found in the Center for Health Information and Analysis database by using external causes of injury codes specific to ORV-related injuries.

Impact of a State Law on Physician Practice in Sports-Related Concussions.

Objective: To determine physician-reported adherence to and support of the 2010 Massachusetts youth concussion law, as well as barriers to care and clinical practice in the context of legislation.

Study Design: Primary care physicians (n = 272) in a large pediatric network were eligible for a cross-sectional survey in 2014. Survey questions addressed key policy and practice provisions: concussion knowledge, state regulations and training, practice patterns, referrals, patient characteristics, and barriers to care.