This video discusses why we don't need labs for most children and adolescents who are being admitted to an inpatient mental health facility via an admittedly silly (but representative) conversation.
You do not need to obtain screening laboratory tests in the medical clearance process of pediatric patients who require inpatient psychiatric admission unless clinically indicated. Read more about why - and how you can impact the systems you work in.
We are in the midst of a staggering mental health crisis. Thousands of children and adolescents spend days at time in Emergency Departments waiting for definitive mental health disposition. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all [...]
There are protocols in place that assist highly trained Emergency Medical Service providers in assuring that agitated children are safely transported to their destination. This podcast episode is all about what prehospital providers should do to get these agitated children safely to the ED.
When we think of managing agitated patients we think of medicines – but that shouldn’t be our first option. However, medications can be adjuncts to non-pharmacologic means to help keep agitated children safe from harm. This podcast episode is all about age-appropriate pharmacologic management strategies for agitated children.
Agitated should always be treated with dignity and respect. This entails utilizing the least invasive non-pharmacologic means of assisting them, before moving to physical or chemical restraints. This podcast episode is all about age-appropriate non pharmacologic management strategies for agitated children. It is also episode 2 in a 5 episode series focused on agitation in children and adolescents.
This is episode 1 in a new 5 part podcast series I'm producing with the EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center focused on agitation in children and adolescents. The first episode focuses on differentiating organic versus psychiatric causes of agitation and altered mental status. Enjoy!
"Neurodivergent" is a term used to describe brain functionality and how it differs in some people. These individuals perceive, interpret and interact with the world in ways that are different than what we typically encounter. The Emergency Department is a potentially challenging and stressful place for Neurodivergent children, and this episode discusses strategies to help make their experience just a little bit better.
Take a look at this post to learn more about medical management of the agitated child and adolescent. Both oral and IM options are suggested.
You should be screening your patients for suicidal behaviors and ideation in the ED. The ASQ (Ask Suicide-Screening Questions) are a simple 4-question suicide screen that you can start using today.