Violating traditional NPO guidelines with PO contrast before sedation for computed tomography.

Background: Administration of PO contrast within 2 hours before sedation for abdominal computed tomography (CT) is controversial because it violates American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines that recommend 2 hours of fasting for clear fluids before sedation.

Objective: This study aimed to review the administration of PO contrast for patients undergoing propofol sedation for abdominal CT and to evaluate the impact of violation of traditional 2-hour NPO guidelines on care.

Methods: Sedation records were reviewed from January 2010 to October 2011 from all patients who received PO contrast within 2 hours of propofol sedation for abdominal CT.

Management of afebrile neonates with skin and soft tissue infections in the pediatric emergency department.

Objective: To describe the management of afebrile neonatal skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in the pediatric emergency department (PED).

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients aged 0 to 28 days seen in the PED for SSTIs from 2004 to 2010. The SSTIs were identified from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes of pustulosis, cellulitis, and abscess.

Pediatric abscess characteristics associated with hospital admission from the ED.

Objective: To determine the characteristics of pediatric soft tissue abscesses that result in hospital admission.

Methods: All visits for soft tissue abscesses to the study emergency department (ED) were examined during 2008. Detailed records were reviewed to determine ED disposition, abscess size, location, presence of fever, duration of symptoms, previous antibiotic therapy, prior ED visit(s), and wound and blood culture results.