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Predictors of Brennan et al for Safe Early Discharge of a Pediatric Drowning Patient from the Emergence Department

Description

Brennan et al evaluated pediatric drowning patients in the Emergency Department (ED). They identified patients who were safe to discharge without prolonged observation. The authors are from Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California Los Angeles and the University of Hawaii.


Patient selection: pediatric drowning victim

 

A pediatric patient can be discharged if:

(1) well-appearing and stable on arrival to the ED

(2) normal pulse oximetry on arrival

(3) absence of clinical deterioration within 1 hour of arrival

 

Evaluation consists of:

(1) body temperature

(2) respiratory rate

(3) pulse oximetry

(4) blood pressure

(5) cardiopulmonary physical exam

(6) mental status

(7) chest X-ray

 

The observation period may be prolonged if there is no one to observe the patient or if it may not be possible to return to the Emergency Department if a problem arises.


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