Management and processing of respiratory care information in respiratory care departments.

Background: Though much research has been done to determine best practice and to examine the role of evidence-based guidelines and respiratory therapist (RT) driven protocols in enhancing patient care and reducing health care costs, very little attention has been paid to how respiratory care information is managed and processed.

Objective: To examine information systems currently used in respiratory care departments to determine if they are effective and efficient in managing and processing respiratory care information.

Methods: To 50 RTs at 16 respiratory therapy departments in New York, Houston, and Miami, we distributed questionnaires designed to determine the strengths, weaknesses, and usefulness of existing respiratory care information systems.

Pediatric nerve agent poisoning: medical and operational considerations for emergency medical services in a large American city.

Most published recommendations for treatment of pediatric nerve agent poisoning are based on standard resuscitation doses for these agents. However, certain medical and operational concerns suggest that an alternative approach may be warranted for treatment of children by emergency medical personnel after mass chemical events. (1) There is evidence both that suprapharmacological doses may be warranted and that side effects from antidote overdosage can be tolerated.