Episode 108 – 10 Things Your PEM Physician Wants You to Know w/Dr. Dominique Diggs

 

Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) is a sub-speciality that many clinicians find intimidating. Are pediatric patients truly unique or are they simply “little adults”? In this podcast episode, we are joined by Dr. Dominique Diggs, board certified PEM physician, to demystify pediatric emergency care with 10 tips that will help you the next time you care for this patient population.

The List

  1. We appreciate you and are grateful for the work you do each day.
  2. Good bag mask ventilation goes a long way, especially with infants/toddlers. Basic airway maneuvers like suctioning with bronchiolitis and proper head positioning is important.
  3. A crying baby is a breathing baby.
  4. Weight-based dosing is vital and accuracy is important. Use a tool to help (e.g., Handtevy, Broselow).
  5. An appropriately placed C-collar is vital.
  6. Fever is not dangerous.
  7. Fluid boluses (20ml/kg) can do a lot, particularly those in respiratory distress.
  8. Treat pain. It is okay to give them narcotics.
  9. Transport the patient to the best place, if it is safe to do so.
  10. No matter how small the problem may appear, the parent called you because they are worried – Be kind.

Airway Positioning

 

To listen to more of our “10 Things” series, check out these episodes:

Episode 45 – 10 Things Your Intensivist Wants You to Know

Episode 105 – 10 Things Your Emergency Physician Wants You to Know

Dr. Dominique Diggs is a physician who is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She is currently finishing her fellowship in Emergency Medical Services while practicing at an urban academic institution in Houston TX. She is interested in medical education with a specific focus on prehospital care of the pediatric patient.

Browne LR, Shah MI, Studnek JR, et al. Multicenter Evaluation of Prehospital Opioid Pain Management in Injured Children. Prehosp Emerg Care 2016;20:759-67.

Dixon G, Booth C, Price E, et al. Fever as nature’s engine. Part of beneficial host response? BMJ 2010; 340:c450.

Fleisher, G., & Ludwig, S., Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Herzog L, Phillips SG. Addressing concerns about fever. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2011: 50:383.

Kalra A. Pediatric Anesthesia Digital Handbook. Department of Anesthesiology 2014, Boston MA.

Schmitt BD. Fever in childhood. Pediatrics 1984; 74:929.

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