American Heart Association Recent Statement on Pediatric Post–Cardiac Arrest Care

Cardiac arrest in pediatric patients is much less common than in adults, but does occur in and outside of hospital facilities. This recently released consensus statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) describes the epidemiology, pathophysiology, management of long and short term issues that occur after return of sustained circulation after cardiac arrest in the pediatric patient. It includes a summary of the current science with supporting evidence on caring for these patients.

We also include a summary of the updates to pediatric advanced life support guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care that were published late in 2018.

Request for Information (RFI)

Guidance on Current Clinical Experience in the Use of Tele-mental Health for Suicide Prevention in Emergency Department Settings

This Request for Information (RFI) seeks input on current clinical experience in the use of telehealth in ED settings to reduce suicide ideation and behavior, and to identify research gaps in the evidence base for providing this type of care. Information is sought from ED providers, as well as from tele-mental health services providers. Responses due August 30, 2019. Click here to learn more

Stay Up to Date with Resources through ASPR TRACIE

Brought to you by HHS ASPR, the Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) was created to meet the information and technical assistance needs of many. Since ASPR TRACIE’s launch in 2015, their staff and Subject Matter Experts have developed resources to support healthcare system preparedness, public health preparedness, and disaster clinical professionals plan for, respond to, and recover from all hazards disasters and emergencies.

A complete listing of ASPR TRACIE-developed resources can be found here. Of particular interest to the EMSC community should be the recent comprehensive refresh of the Pediatric Topic Collection.

Collaborate on Development of Pediatric Annexes

ASPR TRACIE and the ASPR Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) have also collaborated to develop a Healthcare Coalition Pediatric Surge Annex Template. This template is intended to be a high-level response plan identifying the experts and specialized resources that exist within health care coalitions and the processes that will be used to determine which patients are transported to which facilities in a mass casualty event. The pediatric-focused annex is meant to be an annex to a health care coalition’s response plan. The template includes general headers, descriptions, and sample resources/plans that may provide guidance or a template for health care coalitions to assist in their planning efforts. The publication of this report provides a wonderful opportunity for EMSC stakeholders to connect with their HPP colleagues to offer input on these pediatric annexes.

The mission of the National Pediatric Disaster Coalition (NPDC) is to advance community preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery for infants, children, and their families in disasters. This includes development of pediatric specific Health Care Coalitions and advisory committees that integrate into the existing Health Care Coalition model. Here is just a sample of the information shared in the past few months:

• Online training resource? One of CDC’s 14 Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers: Northwest Center for Public Health Practice
• Save the Children: Paediatric Blast Injury Report and Field Manual
• An assortment of Child Care Preparedness Guides including from the CDC, FEMA and several states
• Colorado’s resource kit for EMS and emergency department providers in responding to pediatric distress including developmentally appropriate activities for children and their caregivers
• An evidence based guide to decision making for triaging and decontaminating in a chemical accident

If you are not already on their List Serve, please send an email to Patricia.Frost@cchealth.org .

Emergency Nurses Association President Testifies Before House Committee in Support of EMSC Program Reauthorization Bill

In her testimony to the Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, ENA President Patti Kunz Howard, PhD, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, NE-BC, FAEN, FAAN, discussed the importance of the EMSC Reauthorization Act, a bill which supports appropriate prehospital and emergency department care for children in the United States. ENA has long supported EMSC and made it a focal point of its annual Day on the Hill event in May this year.

ENA recognizes the unique challenges this patient population presents, including the need for specialized supplies, equipment and medications. As part of its commitment to pediatric care, ENA encouraged lawmakers to reauthorize the EMSC program through 2024 to ensure it continues to make a positive impact on the treatment of children in the emergency department.