National survey of institutional pediatric disaster preparedness.

Objective: Describe institutional disaster preparations focusing upon the strategies to address pediatric patients in disaster preparedness.

Design: Descriptive study using survey methodology.

Setting: Hospitals that provide emergency care to pediatric patients throughout the United States.

Oral analgesia before pediatric ketamine sedation is not associated with an increased risk of emesis and other adverse events.

The objective of this study was to determine the association between recent administration of oral analgesics and frequency of adverse events during ketamine sedation in pediatric patients undergoing fracture reduction in the emergency department (ED). This retrospective study was conducted in the ED of a large, urban pediatric teaching hospital. Subjects were patients aged View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Amiodarone-an "old" drug with new recommendations.

Amiodarone has gained recognition as an antiarrhythmic medication after recent publication of the newly revised American Heart Association guidelines for pediatric resuscitation. Although support for the widespread use of amiodarone in adults has been supported by research, the few pediatric studies demonstrate limited efficacy and highlight the need for additional data. Because of the nature of the need for this type of resuscitation medication, controlled prospective studies will be difficult to obtain if not morally contraindicated.