Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2025
Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
Published on: July 30, 2009
Social Vulnerability and Pediatric EMS Behavioral Health Activations: Trends in Utilization and Sedation Practices
Hayes Stancliff1, Christopher Buresh2, Garrett Cavaliere3
1Department of Medical Education, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Objectives:
Despite the growing instances of pediatric patients presenting to emergency medical services (EMS) with a behavioral health emergency (BHE), these encounters remain an understudied phenomenon from a medical and social perspective. This study aims to characterize pediatric BHEs and to understand how social determinants of health impact BHE Frequency and sedation rates.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective observational analysis of the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) database and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) between 2018 and 2021. Pediatric EMS encounters were filtered based on age (<18 years old) and behavioral health International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression assessed the association between SVI scores and BHE frequency and sedation rates.
Results:
Our study analyzed 344,896 BHE activations out of 3,382,719 total pediatric EMS calls. The SVI score was inversely correlated with both BHE rates and sedative medication administration, conveying that higher levels of social vulnerability were associated with lower BHE rates and lower sedative medication administration. Census tracts with an SVI score in the 1st quartile (least vulnerable) had a pediatric BHE activation rate of 15.79% whereas the 4th quartile (most vulnerable) was 11.51% (OR: 1.443 (95% CI: 1.427-1.459), p < 0.0001). For sedation rates, census tracts with an SVI score in the 1st quartile had a sedative administration rate of 2.53% whereas the 4th quartile was 1.90% (OR: 1.345 (95% CI: 1.254-1.442), p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
The prehospital management of pediatric BHEs is correlated to social vulnerability across multiple metrics, pointing to a need to modify care practices and address gaps in care. Tailored EMS protocols or bolstered EMS resources may be necessary to address the needs of vulnerable populations.
More Related Videos
08:09Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
09:36Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
01:30Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:23Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...