Gamification of a Low-Fidelity Paper Doll to Teach Primary Survey to Pediatric Residents.

When critically ill pediatric patients arrive in the emergency department (ED), a rapid physical evaluation is performed in order to systematically evaluate and address life-threatening conditions. This is commonly referred to as the primary survey. At our institution, pediatric residents are frequently tasked with this role, but they have limited training for or experience with this task. Quality improvement review of real resuscitation recordings at our institution revealed delays in initiation and incomplete primary surveys. We sought to utilize gamification to standardize and optimize reproducible training for the primary survey task for pediatric residents using a low-fidelity paper doll model simulation to improve primary survey performance in actual resuscitations.

Toward Improving Patient Equity in a Pediatric Emergency Department: A Framework for Implementation.

Disparities in health care delivery and health outcomes for patients in the emergency department (ED) by race, ethnicity, and language for care (REaL) are common and well documented. Addressing inequities from structural racism, implicit bias, and language barriers can be challenging, and there is a lack of data on effective interventions. We describe the implementation of a multifaceted equity improvement strategy in a pediatric ED using Kotter's model for change as a framework to identify the key drivers. The main elements included a data dashboard with quality metrics stratified by patient self-reported REaL to visualize disparities, a staff workshop on implicit bias and microaggressions, and several clinical and operational tools that highlight equity. Our next steps include refining and repeating interventions and tracking important patient outcomes, including timely pain treatment, triage assessment, diagnostic evaluations, and interpreter use, with the overall goal of improving patient equity by REaL over time. This article presents a roadmap for a disparity reduction intervention, which can be part of a multifaceted approach to address health equity in EDs.

The Current State of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Training in Emergency Medicine Residencies.

BACKGROUND: Several studies show that emergency medicine (EM) physicians are less comfortable caring for pediatric patients than adults. The state of pediatric training has not been comprehensively evaluated since 2000. OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe current pediatric education in EM residencies and to evaluate EM Program Director (PD) confidence in graduating trainees' abilities to care for pediatric patients. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional survey study of EM PDs in August 2020. We collected program demographics, clinical rotations, and didactic methods. We used Likert scales to measure PD confidence in graduating residents' competence to care for pediatric and adult patients. RESULTS: We found e-mail addresses for 249 (93%) of 268 EM programs. One hundred nineteen (48%) PDs completed the survey. We include denominators to account for unanswered questions. Sixty-eight (59%) of 116 programs spend 10% to 20% of clinical time seeing pediatric patients. One hundred ten (91%) of 119 require a pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) rotation, 88/119 (83%) require pediatric intensive care, and 34/119 (29%) require neonatal intensive care. Seventy (62%) of 113 have curricula designed by PEM-trained faculty, 96/113 (85%) have PEM attendings teach lectures, and 77/113 (68%) spend 10% to 20% of didactic time on pediatric topics. Twenty-three (23%) of 106 PDs stated not all residents graduate with competence in pediatric resuscitation compared with 2/106 (2%) for adult resuscitation ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Program directors report less confidence in graduating residents' competence in caring for pediatric patients compared with adult patients. We propose ideas to strengthen the quality of pediatric education in EM residencies.

Characterizing preferred terms for geographically distant simulations: distance, remote and telesimulation.

Background: Simulationists lack standard terms to describe new practices accommodating pandemic restrictions. A standard language around these new simulation practices allows ease of communication among simulationists in various settings. Methods: We explored consensus terminology for simulation accommodating geographic separation of participants, facilitators or equipment. We used an iterative process with participants of two simulation conferences, with small groups and survey ranking. Results: Small groups (n = 121) and survey ranking (n = 54) were used with distance, remote, and telesimulation as leading terms. Each was favored by a third of the participants without consensus. Conclusion: This research has deepened our understanding of how simulationists interpret this terminology, including the derived themes: (1) physical distance/separation, (2) overarching nature of the term and (3) implications from existing terms. We further deepen the conceptual discussion on healthcare simulation aligned with the search of the terminologies. We propose there are nuances that prevent an early consensus recommendation. A taxonomy of descriptors specifying the conduct of distance, remote and telesimulation is preferred.

Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in a Department of Pediatrics.

The last substantial description of gender discrimination and harassment described in the journal Pediatrics was in 2019. It is unclear whether the field has made progress toward its goal of equity. We aimed to describe: (1) the recent gender-equity climate according to women and men faculty in the department of pediatrics at a single, large academic center, and (2) institutional efforts to address persistent gender discrimination and harassment. In late 2020, we distributed an anonymous survey to all department faculty that included demographic data, a modified version of the Overt Gender Discrimination at Work Scale, questions about experiences/witnessed discriminatory treatment and sexual harassment, and if those experiences negatively affected career advancement. Of 524 pediatrics faculty, 290 (55%) responded. Compared with men, women more commonly reported gender discrimination (50% vs. 4%, P < .01) and that their gender negatively affected their career advancement (50% vs 9%, P < .01). More than 50% of women reported discriminatory treatment at least annually and 38% recognized specific sexist statements; only 4% and 17% of men reported the same (P < .01 for both). We concluded that a disproportionately low number of male faculty recognized the harassment female faculty experienced. In the 18 months since, our department and university have made efforts to improve salary equity and parity in leadership representation, created an anonymous bias-reporting portal, mandated bias training, and implemented new benchmarks of "professionalism" that focus on diversity. Although we acknowledge that culture change will take time, we hope our lessons learned help promote gender equity in pediatrics more broadly.

Scurvy in a Pediatric Patient With Autism and Limp: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Limping is a common chief complaint in the pediatric emergency department (ED) and can be difficult to assess in pediatric patients, particularly if they have developmental delay. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 5-year-old male with nonverbal autism who presented with a progressive limp, weakness, pain, and rash over the course of 1 month. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of the pelvis performed while the patient was sedated revealed multifocal osseous marrow signal abnormalities, ultimately consistent with vitamin C deficiency or scurvy. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Scurvy can present with nonspecific limp, rash, and bony pain and should be considered in pediatric patients with developmental/sensory delay who may restrict their diets. Emergency physicians should broaden their differential diagnoses to nutritional deficiencies such as scurvy in the evaluation of pediatric patients with limp.

Identifying Crucial Equipment and Skills Needed to Evacuate Critically Ill Infants During Disasters: Using Nursing Expertise to Guide Training Targets.

INTRODUCTION: Unexpected disasters, such as earthquakes or fires, require preparation to address knowledge gaps that may negatively affect vulnerable patients. Training programs can promote natural disaster readiness to respond and evacuate patients safely, but also require evidence-based information to guide learning objectives. PROBLEM: There is limited evidence on what skills and bedside equipment are most important to include in disaster training and evacuation programs for critically ill infants. METHODS: An expert panel was used to create a 13-item mastery checklist of skills for bedside registered nurses (RNs) required to successfully evacuate a critically ill infant. Expert nurses were surveyed, and the Angoff method was used to determine which of the mastery checklist skills a newly graduated nurse (ie, the "minimally competent" nurse) should be able to do. Participants then rated the importance of 26 commonly available pieces of bedside equipment for use in evacuating a hemodynamically unstable, intubated infant during a disaster. RESULTS: Twenty-three emergency department (ED) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) charge RNs responded to the survey with a mean of 19 (SD = 9) years of experience and 30% reporting personal experience with evacuating patients. The skills list scores showed an emphasis on the newly graduated nurse having more complete mastery of skills surrounding thermoregulation, documentation, infection control, respiratory support, and monitoring. Skills for communication, decision making, and anticipating future needs were assessed as less likely for a new nurse to have mastered. On a scale of one (not important) to seven (critically important), the perceived necessity of equipment ranged from a low of 1.6 (breast pump) to a high of 6.9 (face mask). The individual intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.55 showed moderate reliability between raters and the average team ICC of 0.97 showed excellent agreement as a group. CONCLUSION: Experts rated the ability to manage physiological issues, such as thermoregulation and respiratory support, as skills that every nurse should master. Disaster preparedness activities for nurses in training may benefit from checklists of essential equipment and skills to ensure all nurses can independently manage patients' physiologic needs when they enter the workforce. Advanced nursing training should include education on decision making, communication during emergencies, and anticipation of future issues to ensure that charge and resource nurses can support bedside nurses during evacuation events.

Evaluation of a Modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills Tool for the Assessment of Pediatric Laceration Repair Performance.

Introduction The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has developed milestones including procedural skills under the core competency of patient care. Progress in training is expected to be monitored by residency programs. To our knowledge, there exists no tool to evaluate pediatric resident laceration repair performance. Methods The Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills was adapted to evaluate resident laceration repair performance using two components: a global rating scale (GRS) and a checklist. Pediatric and family medicine residents at a tertiary care children's hospital were filmed performing a simulated laceration repair. Videos were evaluated by at least five physicians trained in laceration repair. Concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) were calculated for the GRS and checklist scores. Scores for each resident were compared across levels of training and procedural experience. Spearman's rank order correlations were calculated to compare the checklist and GRS. Results Thirty residents were filmed performing laceration repair procedures. The CCC showed fair concordance across reviewers for the checklist (0.55, 95% CI: 0.38-0.69) and the GRS (0.53, 95% CI: 0.36-0.67). There was no significant difference in scores by self-reported experience or training level. There was correlation between the median GRS and checklist scores (Spearman ρ = 0.730, p < .001). Conclusions A novel tool to evaluate resident laceration repair performance in a pediatric emergency department showed fair agreement across reviewers. The study tool is not precise enough for summative evaluation; however, it can be used to distinguish between trainees who have and have not attained competence in laceration repair for formative feedback.

Unintentional Pediatric Marijuana Exposures Prior to and After Legalization and Commercial Availability of Recreational Marijuana in Washington State.

BACKGROUND: Washington State was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. Increased availability of marijuana may result in more unintentional pediatric exposure, which often presents as altered mental status with unknown cause. OBJECTIVES: To quantify unintentional pediatric marijuana exposures reported to the Washington Poison Center (WAPC) prior to and after legalization and commercial availability of recreational marijuana. METHODS: Data were obtained from the WAPC database, toxiCALL®. Patients ≤ 9 years old with a reported marijuana exposure between July 2010 and July 2016 were included in the analysis. Patient and exposure characteristics were summarized and median exposure frequencies were calculated for the periods prior to and after legalization. RESULTS: There were 161 cases meeting the inclusion criteria that occurred between July 2010 and July 2016. Of these, 130 (81%) occurred in the 2.5-year period after legalization of recreational marijuana in January 2013. The median age of exposed children was 2 years (range 0-9 years). Eighty-one percent of the exposures occurred in the child's own home. The number of exposures per month increased after recreational marijuana was legalized in November 2012, and increased further once recreational marijuana shops were legally allowed to open in July 2014. CONCLUSION: Reported unintentional pediatric marijuana exposure has increased in the state of Washington since recreational marijuana was legalized. As marijuana becomes more available, clinicians should be aware of the risk of unintentional pediatric marijuana exposure, and this should inform lawmakers regarding regulations around childhood exposure to marijuana.

Unintentional Marijuana Exposure Presenting as Altered Mental Status in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Unintentional tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure in pediatric patients can present as altered mental status. Altered mental status in a pediatric patient often leads to invasive diagnostic testing. CASE REPORT: The following cases describe 3 pediatric patients in Washington state who presented to a tertiary care children's hospital emergency department (ED) with altered mental status, later found to have urine toxicology screening positive for inactive THC metabolite (positive THC toxicology screen). Case 1 is a 6-year-old boy who presented with vomiting, lethargy, and hallucinations. Case 2 is a 5-year-old girl who presented with nausea, slurred speech, ataxia, and lethargy in the setting of a minor head injury. Case 3 is a 7-month-old boy who presented with vomiting and lethargy in the setting of a minor fall the day prior to ED evaluation. All children had extensive work-ups before the diagnosis was made; 2 were discharged home and 1 was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: As access to marijuana increases with growing legalization, it is important to be familiar with state marijuana legislation, to consider and ask families about access to marijuana products as a potential contributor to altered mental status, and to be aware of potential caretaker reluctance regarding disclosure of marijuana use secondary to perceived stigma. Maintaining awareness of the clinical effects of THC exposure in children may limit invasive testing in a hemodynamically stable child with altered mental status.

Perceptions on the Impact of a Just-in-Time Room on Trainees and Supervising Physicians in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Just-in-time (JIT) training refers to education occurring immediately prior to clinical encounters. An in situ JIT room in a pediatric emergency department (ED) was created for procedural education. OBJECTIVE: We examined trainee self-reported JIT room use, its impact on trainee self-perception of procedural competence/confidence, and the effect its usage has on the need for intervention by supervising physicians during procedures. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey study of a convenience sample of residents rotating through the ED and supervising pediatric emergency medicine physicians. Outcomes included JIT room use, trainee procedural confidence, and frequency of supervisor intervention during procedures. RESULTS: Thirty-one of 32 supervising physicians (97%) and 122 of 186 residents (66%) completed the survey, with 71% of trainees reporting improved confidence, and 68% reporting improved procedural skills (P < .05, +1.4-point average skills improvement on a 5-point Likert scale). Trainees perceived no difference among supervising physicians intervening in procedures with or without JIT room use (P = .30, paired difference -0.0 points). Nearly all supervisors reported improved trainee procedural confidence, and 77% reported improved trainee procedural skills after JIT room use (P < .05, paired difference +1.8 points); 58% of supervisors stated they intervene in procedures without trainee JIT room use, compared with 42% with JIT room use (P < .05, paired difference -0.4 points). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the JIT room led to improved trainee confidence and supervisor reports of less procedural intervention. Although it carries financial and time costs, an in situ JIT room may be important for convenient JIT training.

Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection and Differentiation of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli from Clinical Samples.

Timely accurate diagnosis of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections is important. We evaluated a laboratory-developed real-time PCR (LD-PCR) assay targeting stx1, stx2, and rfbEO157 with 2,386 qualifying stool samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory of a tertiary care pediatric center between July 2011 and December 2013. Broth cultures of PCR-positive samples were tested for Shiga toxins by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (ImmunoCard STAT! enterohemorrhagic E. coli [EHEC]; Meridian Bioscience) and cultured in attempts to recover both O157 and non-O157 STEC. E. coli O157 and non-O157 STEC were detected in 35 and 18 cases, respectively. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) occurred in 12 patients (10 infected with STEC O157, one infected with STEC O125ac, and one with PCR evidence of STEC but no resulting isolate). Among the 59 PCR-positive STEC specimens from 53 patients, only 29 (54.7%) of the associated specimens were toxin positive by EIA. LD-PCR differentiated STEC O157 from non-O157 using rfbEO157, and LD-PCR results prompted successful recovery of E. coli O157 (n = 25) and non-O157 STEC (n = 8) isolates, although the primary cultures and toxin assays were frequently negative. A rapid "mega"-multiplex PCR (FilmArray gastrointestinal panel; BioFire Diagnostics) was used retrospectively, and results correlated with LD-PCR findings in 25 (89%) of the 28 sorbitol-MacConkey agar culture-negative STEC cases. These findings demonstrate that PCR is more sensitive than EIA and/or culture and distinguishes between O157 and non-O157 STEC in clinical samples and that E. coli O157:H7 remains the predominant cause of HUS in our institution. PCR is highly recommended for rapid diagnosis of pediatric STEC infections.