Aerosol Box Use in Reducing Health Care Worker Contamination During Airway Procedures (AIRWAY) Study: Secondary Workload and Provider Outcomes in a Simulation-Based Trial.

OBJECTIVES: An aerosol box aims to reduce the risk of healthcare provider (HCP) exposure to infections during aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMPs), but little is known about its impact on workload of team members. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of aerosol box use on patterns of HCP contamination during AGMPs. The objectives of this study are to: 1) evaluate the effect of aerosol box use on HCP workload, 2) identify factors associated with HCP workload when using an aerosol box, and 3) describe the challenges perceived by HCPs of aerosol box use. DESIGN: Simulation-based randomized trial, conducted from May to December 2021. SETTING: Four pediatric simulation centers. SUBJECTS: Teams of two HCPs were randomly assigned to control (no aerosol box) or intervention groups (aerosol box). INTERVENTIONS: Each team performed three scenarios requiring different pediatric airway management (bag-valve-mask [BVM] ventilation, laryngeal mask airway [LMA] insertion, and endotracheal intubation [ETI] with video laryngoscopy) on a simulated COVID-19 patient. National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) is a standard tool that measures subjective workload with six subscales. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 64 teams (128 participants) were recruited. The use of aerosol box was associated with significantly higher frustration during LMA insertion (28.71 vs. 17.42; mean difference, 11.29; 95% CI, 0.92-21.66; p = 0.033). For ETI, there was a significant increase in most subscales in the intervention group, but there was no significant difference for BMV. Average NASA-TLX scores were all in the "low" range for both groups (range: control BVM 23.06, sd 13.91 to intervention ETI 38.15; sd 20.45). The effect of provider role on workloads was statistically significant only for physical demand (p = 0.001). As the complexity of procedure increased (BVM → LMA → ETI), the workload increased in all six subscales (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of aerosol box increased workload during ETI but not with BVM and LMA insertion. Overall workload scores remained in the "low" range, and there was no significant difference between airway provider and assistant.

Coming in Hot: A quality improvement approach to improving care of febrile infants.

Background and Objectives: Significant practice variation exists in managing young infants with fever. Quality improvement strategies can aid in risk stratification and standardization of best care practices, along with a reduction of unnecessary interventions. The aim of this initiative was to safely reduce unnecessary admissions, antibiotics, and lumbar punctures (LPs) by 10% in low-risk, febrile infants aged 29 to 90 days presenting to the emergency department (ED) over a 12-month period. Methods: Using the Model for Improvement, a multidisciplinary team developed a multipronged intervention: an updated clinical decision tool (CDT), procalcitonin (PCT) adoption, education, a feedback tool, and best practice advisory (BPA) banner. Outcome measures included the proportion of low-risk infants that were admitted, received antibiotics, and had LPs. Process measures were adherence to the CDT and percentage of PCT ordered. Missed bacterial infections and return visits were balancing measures. The analysis was completed using descriptive statistics and statistical process control methods. Results: Five hundred and sixteen patients less than 90 days of age were included in the study, with 403 patients in the 29- to 90-day old subset of primary interest. In the low-risk group, a reduction in hospital admissions from a mean of 24.1% to 12.0% and a reduction in antibiotics from a mean of 15.2% to 1.3% was achieved. The mean proportion of LPs performed decreased in the intervention period from 7.5% to 1.8%, but special cause variation was not detected. Adherence to the CDT increased from 70.4% to 90.9% and PCT was ordered in 92.3% of cases. The proportion of missed bacterial infections was 0.3% at baseline and 0.5% in the intervention period while return visits were 6.7% at baseline and 5.0% in the intervention period. Conclusions: The implementation of a quality improvement strategy, including an updated evidence-based CDT for young infant fever incorporating PCT, safely reduced unnecessary care in low-risk, febrile infants aged 29 to 90 days in the ED. Purpose: To develop and implement a multipronged improvement strategy including an evidence-based CDT utilizing PCT to maximize value of care delivered to well-appearing, febrile infants presenting to EDs.

Competency Standard Derivation for Point-of-Care Ultrasound Image Interpretation for Emergency Physicians.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Because number-based standards are increasingly controversial, the objective of this study was to derive a performance-based competency standard for the image interpretation task of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). METHODS: This was a prospective study. Operating on a clinically-relevant sample of POCUS images, we adapted the Ebel standard-setting method to derive a performance benchmark in 4 diverse pediatric POCUS applications: soft tissue, lung, cardiac and focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST). In Phase I (difficulty calibration), cases were categorized into interpretation difficulty terciles (easy, intermediate, hard) using emergency physician-derived data. In Phase II (significance), a 4-person expert panel categorized cases as low, medium, or high clinical significance. In Phase III (standard setting), a 3x3 matrix was created, categorizing cases by difficulty and significance, and a 6-member panel determined acceptable accuracy for each of the 9 cells. An overall competency standard was derived from the weighted sum. RESULTS: We obtained data from 379 emergency physicians resulting in 67,093 interpretations and a median of 184 (interquartile range, 154, 190) interpretations per case. There were 78 (19.5%) easy, 272 (68.0%) medium, and 50 (12.5%) hard-to-interpret cases, and 237 (59.3%) low, 65 (16.3%) medium, and 98 (24.5%) cases of high clinical significance across the 4 POCUS applications. The panel determined an overall performance-based competency score of 85.0% for lung, 89.5% for cardiac, 90.5% for soft tissue, and 92.7% for FAST. CONCLUSION: This research provides a transparent chain of evidence that derived clinically relevant competency standards for POCUS image interpretation.

Managing residents in difficulty within CBME residency educational systems: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Best practices in managing residents in difficulty (RID) in the era of competency-based medical education (CBME) are not well described. This scoping review aimed to inventory the current literature and identify major themes in the articles that address or employ CBME as part of the identification and remediation of residents in difficulty. METHODS: Articles published between 2011 to 2017 were included if they were about postgraduate medical education, RID, and offered information to inform the structure and/or processes of CBME. All three reviewers performed a primary screening, followed by a secondary screening of abstracts of the chosen articles, and then a final comprehensive sub-analysis of the 11 articles identified as using a CBME framework. RESULTS: Of 165 articles initially identified, 92 qualified for secondary screening; the 63 remaining articles underwent full-text abstracting. Ten themes were identified from the content analysis with "identification of RID" (41%) and "defining and classifying deficiencies" (30%) being the most frequent. In the CBME article sub-analysis, the most frequent themes were: need to identify RID (64%), improving assessment tools (45%), and roles and responsibilities of players involved in remediation (27%). Almost half of the CBME articles were published in 2016-2017. CONCLUSIONS: Although CBME programs have been implemented for many years, articles have only recently begun specifically addressing RID within a competency framework. Much work is needed to describe the sequenced progression, tailored learning experiences, and competency-focused instruction. Finally, future research should focus on the outcomes of remediation in CBME programs.

Impact and effectiveness of a mandatory competency-based simulation program for pediatric emergency medicine faculty.

Introduction: Pediatric emergency medicine physicians struggle to maintain their critical procedural and resuscitation skills. Continuing professional development programs incorporating simulation and competency-based standards may help ensure skill maintenance. Using a logic model framework, we sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a mandatory annual competency-based medical education (CBME) simulation program. Methods: The CBME program, evaluated from 2016 to 2018, targeted procedural, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and resuscitation skills. Delivery of educational content included a flipped-classroom website, deliberate practice, mastery-based learning, and stop-pause debriefing. Participants' competence was assessed using a 5-point global rating scale (GRS; 3 = competent, 5 = mastery). Statistical process control charts were used to measure the effect of the CBME program on team performance during in situ simulations (ISS), measured using the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) scale. Faculty completed an online program evaluation survey. Results: Forty physicians and 48 registered nurses completed at least one course over 3 years (physician mean ± SD 2.2 ± 0.92). Physicians achieved competence on 430 of 442 stations (97.3%). Mean ± SD GRS scores for procedural, POCUS, and resuscitation stations were 4.34 ± 0.43, 3.96 ± 0.35, and 4.17 ± 0.27, respectively. ISS TEAM scores for "followed standards and guidelines" improved significantly. No signals of special cause variation emerged for the other 11 TEAM items, indicating skills maintenance. Physicians rated CBME training as highly valuable (mean question scores 4.15-4.85/5). Time commitment and scheduling were identified as barriers to participation. Conclusions: Our mandatory simulation-based CBME program had high completion rates and very low station failures. The program was highly rated and faculty improved or maintained their ISS performance across TEAM scale domains.

Quantifying Simulated Contamination Deposition on Healthcare Providers Using Image Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation-based research has played an important role in improving care for communicable diseases. Unfortunately, few studies have attempted to quantify the level of contamination in these simulation activities. We aim to assess the feasibility and provide validity evidence for using integrated density values and area of contamination (AOC) to differentiate various levels of simulated contamination. METHODS: An increasing number of simulated contamination spots using fluorescent marker were applied on a manikin chest to simulate a contaminated healthcare provider. An ultraviolet light was used to illuminate the manikin to highlight the simulated contamination. Images of increasing contamination levels were captured using a camera with different exposure settings. Image processing software was used to measure 2 outcomes: (1) natural logarithm of integrated density; and (2) AOC. Mixed-effects linear regression models were used to assess the effect of contamination levels and exposure settings on both outcome measures. A standardized "proof-of-concept" exercise was set up to calibrate and formalize the process for human subjects. RESULTS: A total of 140 images were included in the analyses. Dose-response relationships were observed between contamination levels and both outcome measures. For each increment in the number of contaminated simulation spots (ie, simulated contaminated area increased by 38.5 mm 2 ), on average, log-integrated density increased by 0.009 (95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.012; P < 0.001) and measured AOC increased by 37.8 mm 2 (95% confidence interval, 36.7-38.8 mm 2 ; P < 0.001), which is very close to actual value (38.5 mm 2 ). The "proof-of-concept" demonstration further verified results. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated density and AOC measured by image processing can differentiate various levels of simulated, fluorescent contamination. The AOC measured highly agrees with the actual value. This method should be optimized and used in the future research to detect simulated contamination deposited on healthcare providers.

Aerosol Box Use in Reducing Health Care Worker Contamination During Airway Procedures (AIRWAY Study): A Simulation-Based Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The aerosol box has been used during the management of patients with COVID-19 to reduce health care practitioner (HCP) exposure during aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs). Little is known about the effect of aerosol box use on HCP contamination and AGMP procedure time. Objective: To investigate whether use of an aerosol box during AGMPs reduces HCP contamination or influences the time to successful completion and first-pass success rate for endotracheal intubation (ETI) and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, simulation-based, randomized clinical trial was conducted from May to December 2021 at tertiary care pediatric hospitals. Participant teams performed 3 simulated patient scenarios: bag-valve-mask ventilation, ETI, and LMA insertion. During the scenarios, aerosols were generated using Glo Germ. Teams of 2 HCPs were randomly assigned to control (no aerosol box) or intervention groups (aerosol box). Statistical analysis was performed from July 2022 to February 2023. Interventions: The aerosol box (or SplashGuard CG) is a transparent, plastic barrier covering the patient's head and shoulders with access ports allowing HCPs to manage the airway. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was surface area of contamination (AOC) on participants. Secondary outcomes were time to successful completion and first-pass success rates for ETI and LMA insertion. Results: A total of 64 teams (128 participants) were enrolled, with data from 61 teams (122 participants) analyzed. Among the 122 participants analyzed, 79 (64.8%) were female and 85 (69.7%) were physicians. Use of an aerosol box was associated with a 77.5% overall decreased AOC to the torso (95% CI, -86.3% to -62.9%; P < .001) and a 60.7% overall decreased AOC to the facial area (95% CI, -75.2% to -37.8%; P < .001) in airway HCPs. There was no statistically significant difference in surface contamination after doffing personal protective equipment between groups. Time to completing ETI was longer in the aerosol box group compared with the control group (mean difference: 10.2 seconds; 95% CI, 0.2 to 20.2 seconds; P = .04), but there was no difference between groups for LMA insertion (mean difference: 2.4 seconds; 95% CI, -8.7 to 13.5 seconds; P = .67). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of aerosol box use in AGMPs, use of an aerosol box reduced contamination deposition on HCPs' torso and face predoffing; the use of an aerosol box delayed time to successful intubation. These results suggest that the incremental benefits of reduced surface contamination from aerosol box use should be weighed against delayed time to complete intubation, which may negatively affect patient outcome. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04880668.

Development and implementation of a novel, mandatory competency-based medical education simulation program for pediatric emergency medicine faculty.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining acute care physician competence is critically important. Current maintenance of certification (MOC) programs has started to incorporate simulation-based education (SBE). However, competency expectations have not been defined. This article describes the development of a mandatory annual SBE, competency-based simulation program for technical and resuscitation skills for pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians. METHODS: The competency-based medical education (CBME) program was introduced in 2016. Procedural skill requirements were based on a needs assessment derived from Royal College PEM training guidelines. Resuscitation scenarios were modified versions of pre-existing in-situ mock codes or critical incident cases. All full-time faculty were required to participate annually in both sessions. Delivery of educational content included a flipped classroom website, deliberate practice, and stop-pause debriefing. All stations required competency checklists and global rating scales. RESULTS: Between 2016 and 2018, 40 physicians and 48 registered nurses attended these courses. Overall course evaluations in 2018 were 4.92/5 and 4.93/5. Barriers to implementation include the need for many simulation education experts, time commitment, and clinical scheduling during course events. CONCLUSION: We have developed a mandatory simulation-based, technical, and resuscitation CBME program for PEM faculty. This simulation-based CBME program could be adapted to other acute care disciplines. Further research is required to determine if these skills are enhanced both in a simulated and real environment and if there is an impact on patient outcomes.

Caregiver Characteristics Associated With Quality of Cardiac Compressions on an Adult Mannequin With Real-Time Visual Feedback: A Simulation-Based Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: Chest compression (CC) quality directly impacts cardiac arrest outcomes. Provider body type can influence the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); however, the magnitude of this impact while using visual feedback is not well described. The aim of the study was to determine the association between provider anthropometric variables on fatigue and CC adherence to 2015 American Heart Association CPR while receiving visual feedback. METHODS: This was a planned secondary analysis of healthcare professionals from multiple hospitals performing continuous CC for 2 minutes on an adult CPR mannequin with dynamic visual feedback. Main outcome measures include compression data (depth, rate, and lean) evaluated in 30-second epochs to explore performance fatigue. Multivariable models examined the relationship of provider anthropometrics to CC quality. Binomial mixed effects models were used to characterize fatigue by examining performance for 4 epochs. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-seven 2-minute CC episodes were analyzed. Extreme (low and high) BMI and weight are associated with poorer CC. Larger size (height, weight, and BMI) is associated with better depth but worse lean compliance. Performance fatigued for all providers for 2 minutes, but shorter, lighter weight, female participants had the greatest decline. On multivariable analysis, rate compliance did not deteriorate regardless of provider anthropometrics. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometrics impact provider CC quality. Despite visual feedback, variable effects are seen on compression depth, rate, recoil, and fatigue depending on the provider sex, weight, and BMI. The 2-minute interval for changing chest compressors should be reconsidered based on individual provider characteristics and risk of fatigue's impact on high-quality CPR.

The Use of Statistical Process Control Charts to Evaluate Interprofessional Education Sessions Embedded Into a Pediatric Emergency In situ Resuscitation Program.

STATEMENT: The rigorous evaluation of simulation in healthcare to improve resuscitations and team functioning can be challenging. Statistical process control (SPC) charts present a unique methodology to enable statistical rigor when evaluating simulation. This article presents a brief overview of SPC charts and its advantages over traditional before and after methodologies, followed by an exemplar using SPC to evaluate an in situ team training program with embedded interprofessional education sessions.

Measuring educational workload: a pilot study of paper-based and PDA tools.

BACKGROUND: Teaching is an important professional role for most faculty members in academic health sciences centres. Careful delineation of educational workload is needed to foster and reward teaching efforts, and to facilitate equitable allocation of resources. AIMS: To promote recognition in teaching and facilitate equitable resource allocation, we developed, piloted, and qualitatively assessed a tool for delineating the educational workload of pediatric faculty in an academic health sciences centre. METHODS: A prototype educational workload measurement tool was developed. Between 2002 and 2004, three successive phases of pilot implementation were conducted to (1) assess the face validity of the tool, (2) assess its feasibility, and (3) develop and assess the feasibility of a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) version. Participants were interviewed regarding strengths, weaknesses, and barriers to completion. Data were analyzed for recurrent themes. RESULTS: Faculty found that the tool was usable and represented a broad range of educational activities. The PDA format was easier to use and better received. Technical support would be imperative for long-term implementation. The greatest barriers to implementation were skepticism about the purpose of the tool and concerns that it would promote quantity over quality of teaching. CONCLUSION: We developed a usable tool to capture data on the diverse educational workload of pediatric faculty. PDA technology can be used to facilitate collection of workload data. Faculty skepticism is an important barrier that should be addressed in future work.

Leveraging Quick Response Code Technology to Facilitate Simulation-Based Leaderboard Competition.

INTRODUCTION: Leaderboards provide feedback on relative performance and a competitive atmosphere for both self-guided improvement and social comparison. Because simulation can provide substantial quantitative participant feedback, leaderboards can be used, not only locally but also in a multidepartment, multicenter fashion. Quick Response (QR) codes can be integrated to allow participants to access and upload data. We present the development, implementation, and initial evaluation of an online leaderboard employing principles of gamification using points, badges, and leaderboards designed to enhance competition among healthcare providers. METHOD: This article details the fundamentals behind the development and implementation of a user-friendly, online, multinational leaderboard that employs principles of gamification to enhance competition and integrates a QR code system to promote both self-reporting of performance data and data integrity. An open-ended survey was administered to capture perceptions of leaderboard implementation. RESULTS: Conceptual step-by-step instructions detailing how to apply the QR code system to any leaderboard using simulated or real performance metrics are outlined using an illustrative example of a leaderboard that employed simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance scores to compare participants across 17 hospitals in 4 countries for 16 months. The following three major descriptive categories that captured perceptions of leaderboard implementation emerged from initial evaluation data from 10 sites: (1) competition, (2) longevity, and (3) perceived deficits. CONCLUSIONS: A well-designed leaderboard should be user-friendly and encompass best practices in gamification principles while collecting and storing data for research analyses. Easy storage and export of data allow for longitudinal record keeping that can be leveraged both to track compliance and to enable social competition.

Simulation Fellowship Programs: An International Survey of Program Directors.

PURPOSE: To report on the evolution of simulation-based training (SBT) by identifying the composition and infrastructure of existing simulation fellowship programs, describing the current training practices, disclosing existing program barriers, and highlighting opportunities for standardization. METHOD: Investigators conducted a cross-sectional survey study among English-speaking simulation fellowship program directors (September 2014-September 2015). They identified fellowships through academic/institutional Web sites, peer-reviewed literature, Web-based search engines, and snowball sampling. They invited programs to participate in the Web-based questionnaire via e-mail and follow-up telephone calls. RESULTS: Forty-nine programs met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 32 (65%) responded to the survey. Most programs were based in the United States, but others were from Canada, England, and Australia. Over half of the programs started in or after 2010. Across all 32 programs, 186 fellows had graduated since 1998. Fellows and directors were primarily departmentally funded; programs were primarily affiliated with hospitals and/or medical schools, many of which had sponsoring centers accredited by governing bodies. Fellows were typically medical trainees; directors were typically physicians. The majority of programs (over 90%) covered four core objectives, and all endorsed similar educational outcomes. Respondents identified no significant universal barriers to program success. Most directors (18/28 [64%]) advocated standardized fellowship guidelines on a national level. CONCLUSIONS: Paralleling the fast growth and integration of SBT, fellowship training opportunities have grown rapidly in the United States, Canada, and beyond. This study highlights potential areas for standardization and accreditation of simulation fellowships which would allow measurable competencies in graduates.

Patients who leave the pediatric emergency department without being seen: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Children who visit pediatric emergency departments (EDs) and leave before being seen by a physician may present with particular health problems and may be at risk for preventable health outcomes. We compared children who left without being seen with those who stayed and were seen by a pediatrician, and followed all of the study subjects after they left the ED. METHODS: We asked all parents of children who visited the ED between July 1 and Oct. 31, 2002, to participate. Parents were interviewed by a trained ED research assistant. We abstracted data from the ED medical records. We used the Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to measure the acuity of the illness or injury. Each child who left without being seen was matched with 2 children who had been seen by selecting the next patients on an alphabetical list by day, sex and age (within 1 year). We did follow-up interviews with parents within 96 hours of the visit to determine the reason for leaving and any treatment and diagnoses received subsequent to the ED visit. RESULTS: Of the 11 087 children seen in the ED during the study period, 289 (3%) left without being seen. Of the 289, the families of 158 (56%) consented to participate in the study and met the study criteria. The case and control groups thus consisted of 158 and 316 children respectively. Of the children who left without being seen, 24 (15%) were triaged as "urgent," and none had a CTAS score of less than 3. A total of 99 children (63%) who left were taken by their families elsewhere for further medical care, compared with 89 (28%) of those who stayed. Waiting too long and resolution of symptoms accounted for 92 (58%) and 59 (37%) of the premature departures respectively. One child who left without being seen was subsequently admitted to hospital. Multivariate analysis showed that, after adjustment for time of arrival and time to reach the ED, children who left without being seen had lower acuity than those who stayed (odds ratio [OR] 4.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-7.2) and were more likely to register in the ED between midnight and 4 am (OR 5.9, 95% CI 2.8- 12.5). Children in the premature departure group were also more likely to be taken elsewhere for follow-up care (unadjusted OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.9-6.4). INTERPRETATION: Children who left the ED without being seen had lower acuity levels and were more likely to be taken elsewhere for follow-up care than children who stayed. Most of those who left did so because the wait was too long or their symptoms resolved.

Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal infections in children: the Toronto experience.

OBJECTIVE: To review the Hospital of Sick Children, Toronto's experience of the diagnosis and management of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal infections with particular emphasis on the role of computed tomography (CT) imaging in diagnosing the presence of an abscess. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal infections from 1987 to 1999 was performed. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, season of presentation, management and complications were reviewed. The CT scans of 27 patients who underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively examined by two neuroradiologists who were blinded to the patient's history and outcome. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values for the specific features and overall assessment were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty-four children were identified. There were 46 retropharyngeal infections, 6 parapharyngeal infections and 2 patients had both retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal infections. All patients were treated with parenteral antibiotics. Thirty-seven patients underwent surgical drainage and in 27 there was a positive finding of pus. The retrospectively assessed CT scans of the 21 patients who underwent surgery were found to have a sensitivity of 81% in detecting an abscess by CT scan but the specificity was 57%. There were four complications including mediastinitis, aspiration pneumonia, internal jugular vein thrombosis and common carotid artery aneurysm. All patients recovered but abscess recurred in five patients. CONCLUSION: Not all patients with retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses require surgery. Whilst CT scans are helpful in diagnosing and assessing the extent of these infections they are not always accurate in detecting an abscess. A decision to drain an abscess should therefore not be made based solely on the CT findings.

Development of a clinical severity score for preseptal cellulitis in children.

PURPOSE: There is a need for a valid and reliable method to describe the severity of preseptal cellulitis. METHODS: Items of a scoring system were derived by an expert group and evaluated using a retrospective chart review. The results were used to construct the final Severity Index. Validity and reliability of the Severity Index was evaluated by prospective assessment of 17 children. The Severity Index was compared with a Global Score, a score based on clinical impression. RESULTS: The average Severity Index score was 2.0 for patients treated with oral antibiotics alone and 6.0 for patients treated with intravenous antibiotics. The Severity Index correlated well with the Global Score (Spearman rank correlation coefficient rS = 0.60, P = 0.01). Ranked clinical photographs of preseptal cellulitis correlated moderately to the Severity Index (rS = 0.66, P = 0.02). The Severity Index score after 24 hours of treatment was significantly lower than at presentation (P = 0.004). The agreement between paired Severity Index scores [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.80, P = 0.001] was better than the agreement between paired Global Scores (ICC = 0.45, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The Severity Index is an objective clinical tool for evaluating severity of preseptal cellulitis in children. It correlates well with clinical constructs for severity and is sensitive to small changes in clinical status. It has better reliability than overall clinical impression. The Severity Index will also be valuable as an outcome measure for future therapeutic trials for preseptal cellulitis in children.

An innovative pediatric chest tube insertion task trainer simulation: a technical report and pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic complications associated with chest tube insertion (CTI) could be related to the gaps in the procedural fidelity of the current CTI training models and their insufficiency to support training of procedural mastery. A CTI bench model simulation developed with reference to preexisting curriculum increases trainees' exposure and practice of this clinical skill. Newly developed training models need to be recognized by trainees as a usable learning device. In this report, we describe the development of a novel CTI model, based on curriculum, and survey its usability as a training model among pediatric trainees. METHODS: Based on the acute trauma life support curriculum for CTI and expert interview, a pediatric CTI task trainer (PCTITT) model was developed, piloted, and then implemented for usability by volunteer pediatric residents and pediatric emergency fellows in 2 procedural training courses. Participants responded to 11 questions designed to capture self-reported attitudes toward the usability of the PCTITT as a training model for CTI. Results were obtained using a subjective 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Of the 32 participants, we achieved a response rate of 75%. Of these respondents, 92% had some kind of CTI hands-on training in the past, and 50% had experience with a real patient. Of these respondents, 91% recommended this model for training, and 80% stated that this model was superior to previous models. CONCLUSIONS: A PCTITT is an easy to create and feasible bench top task trainer to teach CTI skills, which integrates with other simulations currently in use the process of teaching CTI. Trainees recognized it as usable and superior to previous models. Future work needs to focus on the improvement of model fidelity, skills transferability, and tool validation.

Pediatric and emergency medicine residents' attitudes and practices for analgesia and sedation during lumbar puncture in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: Analgesia and sedation for painful procedures in children are safe and effective, yet our experience is that pain management during lumbar puncture is suboptimal. We aim to document factors that influence residents' decisions to use analgesia and sedation during lumbar puncture and to compare pediatric and emergency medicine residents' practices. METHODS: A survey was developed and sent to pediatric and emergency medicine residents from across Canada that inquired about clinical practices, learning experiences, current use of analgesia and sedation for lumbar puncture, and their clinical reasoning for using or abstaining from using analgesia and sedation. The Student's t and chi2 tests were used to compare the 2 resident groups. RESULTS: Of the 374 residents to whom the survey was sent, 245 completed the survey. Pediatric residents reported performing lumbar punctures with no local anesthetic much more frequently. Pediatric residents used EMLA (AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE) more frequently and injectable lidocaine less frequently. Pediatric residents used sedation for lumbar puncture at least once, more frequently than emergency medicine residents, and used mostly benzodiazepines. Both groups used ketamine at a similar rate. Pediatric residents reported that they witnessed adverse events of sedation more frequently. Although pediatric residents were responsible for teaching trainees the lumbar-puncture procedure significantly more frequently, they reported less educational opportunities during residency themselves and that they were less likely to recommend the use of local anesthetic during lumbar puncture when teaching the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Several significant differences exist between the pediatric residents and emergency medicine residents we surveyed. Pediatric residents were using less injectable local anesthesia for lumbar puncture in children and more sedation for the procedure and have had notably less training in the use of sedation. Pediatric residents have more teaching responsibilities than their emergency medicine residents colleagues and are inconsistently recommending the use of local anesthetics for lumbar puncture.