An alternate is a direct admission policy by the amb svc to paediatric
units.
Anton
"Dunn Matthew Dr. (RJC) ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY - SwarkHosp-TR" wrote:
>
> > I was on call last night for a co-op based in a small DGH with no A&E
> > consultant/middle grade and no paediatricians.
> >
> > I received a call from a patient who's 15 week old baby had
> > was "pale and
> > unresponsive". I told the mother to dial 999.
>
> > Are there any guidelines or 'rule of engagement' that I
> > should be looking to
> > obtain or implement to reduce the risk of a critical incident?
> >
>
> Hospitals without paediatricians or emergency physicians with an interest in
> paediatrics rapidly available should not be taking paeds 999 cases seems a
> sensible guideline.
>
> In a large conurbation this may mean closing the hospital to sick children
> (as has been done in 2 hospitals in Birmingham); in an isolated area it may
> be easier to reconfigure paediatric services to provide a proper service in
> each hospital (with fewer paediatricians than at present in the larger
> centres); or to employ resident staff grades (or indeed GPs) with paediatric
> training in the A and E department. Conceivably cover could be by non
> resident staff on 10- 15 minute availability (which is often the
> availability time of resident staff). But a situation where critically ill
> children are brought to a hospital where nobody (either resident or
> available to come in at short notice) has the skills needed for initial
> treatment is untenable.
>
> Matt Dunn
> Warwick
>
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