Updated guidelines released for emergency care of children

(HealthDay)—The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Emergency Nurses Association have released updated guidelines for emergency care of injured and critically ill children. The guidelines were published in a policy statement in the November issue of Pediatrics.

Katherine Remick, M.D., from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and colleagues revised a joint policy statement from 2009 to highlight recent advances in pediatric emergency care.

The authors write that to improve pediatric readiness and the safety and quality of emergency care for children, emergency departments should have a pediatric emergency care coordinator. All emergency departments should be continually prepared to receive, accurately assess, and—at a minimum—stabilize and safely transfer acutely ill or injured children. In addition, they should ensure the competence of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and other emergency department providers to evaluate and treat children. Recognition of the unique needs of children, including those with special health care needs, is also important.

"These updated recommendations are intended to serve as a resource for clinical and administrative leadership in emergency departments as they strive to improve their readiness for children of all ages," the authors write.

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