Characteristics of Transport of Ill Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department: A Latin America Multicenter Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to describe the characteristics of the transport system of critically ill pediatric patients in the emergency departments (EDs) in Latin America (LA). METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective cross-sectional study in a 1-year period. Patients were recruited on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of each month in the EDs in LA. We included ill-pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years. Patients who needed transfer for a diagnostic study, with arrival mode not by ambulance, or with the impossibility of interviewing the transfer team were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A total of 389 patients were included in the study. The majority were males (57%) with a median age of 49 months (interquartile range, 10-116). Thirty-three percent (129) of transfers had the participation of a coordinating center; 97.1% (375) were carried out by road ambulance, and 84.3% (323) were interhospital transfers, with a mean distance traveled of 83.2 km (SD, 105 km). The main reason for transfer in 88.17% (343) was the need for a more complex health center. The main diagnosis was respiratory distress (71; 18.2%), acute abdomen (70; 18%), Traumatic Brain Injury (33; 8.48%), multiple trauma (32; 8.23%), septic shock (31; 7.9%), and COVID-19-related illness (19; 4.8%). A total of 296 (76.5%) patients had peripheral vascular access, and 171 (44%) patients had oxygen support with 49 (28.6%) having invasive ventilation; the most frequent monitoring method (67.8%) was pulse oximetry, and 83.4% (313) did not record adverse events. Regarding the transfer team, 88% (342) had no specialized personnel, and only 62.4% (243) had a physician on their teams. CONCLUSIONS: In LA, there is great variability in personnel training, equipment for pediatric transport, team composition, and characterization of critical care transport systems. Continued efforts to improve conditions in our countries may help reduce patient morbidity and mortality.

Evaluación del manejo avanzado de la vía aérea en un departamento de emergencia pediátrico / Evaluation of advanced airway management in a pediatric emergency department

Introducción: La intubación endotraqueal en pacientes críticamente enfermos es un procedimiento de riesgo que requiere alta competencia en el manejo de la vía aérea. Es esencial conocer las habilidades de los médicos de emergencia pediátrica en el manejo avanzado de vías aéreas y de vías aéreas difíciles. Objetivo: Describir el manejo avanzado de vías aéreas y vías aéreas difíciles en un departamento de emergencia pediátrico. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y prospectivo en pacientes de 0 a 18 años que requirieron intubación endotraqueal en el periodo comprendido desde el 10 de mayo del 2018 al 31 de mayo del 2019. Se evaluó diagnóstico fisiopatológico, prevalencia de vía aérea difícil, aplicación de secuencia de intubación rápida, herramienta utilizada para la intubación, tiempo de intubación, intentos, operador y complicaciones. Se definió éxito al paciente intubado en dos intentos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 93 pacientes, la mediana de edad fue 10 (0.7-192) meses . En 19 (20,4%) pacientes se identificó predicción de vía aérea difícil, se realizó secuencia de intubación rápida en 91 (97,8%) pacientes. El porcentaje de éxito fue 83,9% (78/93). En el primer intento 59,1% (55/93) y en el segundo 50% (19/38). Se requirió cambio de operador en 19 oportunidades. Todos fueron intubados por laringoscopia convencional. La mediana para el tiempo de intubación fue 3 (2-5.5) minutos. La media del número de intentos fue 1,8 (± 1,3). La complicación observada fue la desaturación de oxígeno en 23 (24,7%) pacientes. Conclusión: La primera causa de intubación según el diagnóstico fisiopatológico fue la falla cardiopulmonar y la identificación de vía aérea difícil se presentó con relativa frecuencia.

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients is a risky procedure that requires a high level of competence in airway management. It is essential to know the skills of pediatric emergency physicians in the advanced management of airways and difficult airways. Objective: To describe the advanced management of difficult airways and airways in a pediatric emergency department. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, descriptive and prospective study in patients from ages 0 to 18 years who required endotracheal intubation from May 10, 2018 to May 31, 2019. We evaluated pathophysiological diagnosis, prevalence of difficult airway, rapid intubation sequence intubation application, tools used for intubation, intubation time, attempts, operator characteristics and complications. Successful intubation patients was defined as intubation in two attempts. Results: 93 patients were included, the median of age was 10 (0.7-192) months. In 19 (20.4%) patients, difficult airway prediction was identified, rapid intubation sequence was performed in 91 (97.8%) patients. The percentage of success was 83.9% (78/93). In the first attempt 59.1% (55/93) and in the second 50% (19/38). Operator change was required 19 times. All were intubated by conventional laryngoscopy The median for intubation time was 3 (2-5.5) minutes. The average number of attempts was 1.8 (± 1.3). The complication observed was oxygen desaturation in 23 (24.7%) patients. Conclusion: The first cause of intubation according to the diagnosis pathophysiological was cardiopulmonary failure. Difficult airway identification was relatively frequent.