Published in EMR. Tags: patients with special challenges.
According to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §30-5-4), healthcare providers are required to report any abuse (obvious or suspected) to law enforcement. This law stipulates that EMS are mandatory reporters of elder abuse. What is considered elder abuse is not always cut and dry, however there are typical types of abuse that can be seen by the […]
Published in EMR. Tags: patients with special challenges.
According to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §19-7-5), healthcare providers are required to report any abuse (obvious or suspected) to law enforcement. This law stipulates that EMS are mandatory reporters of child abuse. What is considered child abuse is not always cut and dry, however there are typical types of abuse that can be seen by the […]
Published in EMR. Tags: pediatrics.
Sometimes baby’s just die in their sleep Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year of age that doesn’t have a known cause even after a complete investigation. This investigation includes performing a complete autopsy, examining the death scene, and reviewing the clinical history. When a […]
Published in EMR. Tags: neurology, pediatrics.
The status seizure requires immediate ALS intervention A status seizure is a seizure that continues through the post ictal phase. When a typical seizure lasts 30 seconds or less, the status seizure can last 5 to 15 minutes; or literally just continue until the patient is dead. Despite the fact that status seizures are rare, […]
Published in EMR. Tags: pediatrics, shock and resuscitation.
The only way to defeat pediatric shock is to stay in front of it The mechanism of injury can provide useful clues to finding shock in pediatric patients before it is too late. If the patient lost any blood, possibly ruptured a hollow organ, or became dehydrated after being locked in a hot car for […]
Published in EMR, EMT. Tags: airway management, patient assessment, pediatrics.
Initial management of pediatric patients is guided by the primary survey. The equipment used for adults such as oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways are the same for pediatric patients as they are adults, only smaller. All patients with respiratory distress should immediately be given high flow oxygen via non rebreather mask, blow by, or positive pressure […]
Published in EMR. Tags: patient assessment, pediatrics.
The EMS crew should always be looking for a mechanism of injury, regardless of how a call is dispatched. In the case of the pediatric patient, mechanisms of injury may not be obvious. An infant falling off the countertop probably requires transport to a trauma center (fall twice the height of the infant). Broken furniture […]
Published in EMR. Tags: patient assessment, pediatrics.
Assess from a distance When infants and children are sick, they look sick. The same can’t always be said for adults. A useful triage tool to use when assessing an infant or child is the pediatric assessment triangle. The pediatric assessment triangle will allow the medics to perform a quick but limited assessment of the […]
Published in EMR. Tags: neonatal care, obstetrics.
Most of the time, it’s not that big of a deal Most deliveries of a newborn are uneventful. The baby is easily born with or without the help of the medical community (EMS included). The minimal care of a newborn (neonate) is to dry, warm, and stimulate. The OB kit contains blankets and wipes used […]
Published in EMR. Tags: obstetrics.
You know it’s coming when you see this…. The stages of labor The process of giving birth is broken down into three main stages: labor, birth, and delivering the placenta. This is how a typical vaginal birth happens, although lots of other factors can influence each mom’s particular experience. Stage One: Labor Early Labor Contractions […]