Assessing pediatric trauma specimen integrity.

Objective: This study investigated the quality of trauma specimens by comparing line draws to venipuncture.

Design: The draw type (line or venipuncture); container type (Vacutainer or Microtainer); and suitability for processing (processed/hemolyzed/clotted) of routinely collected trauma specimens was analyzed.

Setting: The clinical laboratory of a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.

Missed and missing cases of abusive injuries: the magnitude and the measurement of the problem.

Objective: The authors' objective is to describe the disparity between the case-fatality rates for inflicted versus unintentional injuries of children, and to emphasize its utility as a way of estimating the effectiveness of the ascertainment of inflicted injuries of children.

Method: Determination, comparison, and explanation of the case-fatality-rate disparity in four injury databases were derived from hospitalized injury cases.

Results: The CFR disparity is 6-14-fold in the 4 injury databases.

Pediatric bereavement: supporting the family and each other.

Childhood deaths are relatively uncommon but very stressful to both family members and health care providers. Bereavement programs are helpful in guiding and supporting the family into and through the bereavement process. Trauma nurses are vital members of the bereavement team.