Management of status epilepticus in children prior to medical retrieval: Deviations from the guidelines.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the influence of adherence to treatment guidelines on outcomes in children presenting with status epilepticus (SE) using the Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service, New South Wales prospective registry. METHODS: We reviewed the treatment of children with SE, transported by the Newborn And Paediatric Emergency Transport Service to a tertiary paediatric hospital, over 1 year. We evaluated variation in management from the New South Wales clinical practice guideline. RESULTS: There was excessive administration of benzodiazepines (BZD) and a delay in administration of appropriate second-line treatment of status (median 45 min). There was excessive use of BZD, with five or more doses of BZD associated with significantly higher odds for intubation. CONCLUSION: There is considerable scope to improve clinician compliance with the SE clinical practice guidelines.