Related Experiment Videos
The child requiring transport: lessons and implications for the pediatric emergency physician
N Kissoon1, T C Frewen, J B Kronick
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Western Ontario, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Insights
This study analyzed pediatric emergency transport patients, finding central nervous system and respiratory issues most common. A lower PSI score correlated with better patient outcomes, validating transport team utilization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Transport Medicine
- Healthcare Utilization
Background:
- Emergency transport teams are crucial for critically ill or injured children.
- Understanding patient demographics and conditions is vital for optimizing transport services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patients transported by an emergency medical team.
- To analyze patient outcomes and assess the appropriateness of transport team utilization.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of all patients transported by the emergency transport team.
- Data collected included patient age, presenting problem, outcome, and transport team personnel utilization.
- Statistical analysis of the Pediatric Severity Index (PSI) score for survivors and non-survivors.
Main Results:
- Eighty-five percent of patients were under six years old.
- Central nervous system (53%) and respiratory (30%) problems were the most frequent presenting issues.
- A statistically significant difference in PSI scores was observed between survivors (5.8 +/- 6.02) and non-survivors (17.0 +/- 6.02).
Conclusions:
- The emergency transport team primarily serves young children with neurological and respiratory conditions.
- The transport team's utilization was deemed appropriate.
- The study provides data for refining emergency transport protocols and medical education.
Abstract:
A retrospective review of the charts of all patients transported by our emergency transport team was done to determine the following characteristics: age, presenting problem, and outcome of patients and utilization of transport team personnel. Eighty-five percent of patients were under six years of age; central nervous system pathology accounted for 53% of patients transported, followed by respiratory problems (30%), cardiac problems (4.2%), and major trauma (2.7%). Sixty patients survived with normal neurologic examination at discharge. A statistically significant difference in retrospectively assigned PSI score (17.0 +/- 6.02 in nonsurvivors versus 5.8 +/- 6.02 in survivors) was observed. Utilization of the transport team was deemed appropriate. Comparison of our data with other available sources, as well as suggestions for emergency physicians and continuing medical education programs, is outlined.