Adaptive platform trials rather than randomised controlled trials for paediatric sepsis.

Adaptive platform trials (APTs) offer a promising alternative to traditional randomised controlled trials for evaluating treatments for paediatric sepsis. Randomised controlled trials, despite being the gold standard for establishing causality between interventions and outcomes, make many assumptions about disease prevalence, severity and intervention effects, which are often incorrect. As a result, the evidence for most treatments for paediatric sepsis are based on low-quality evidence. APTs use accrued data rather than assumptions to power trial adaptations. They can assess multiple treatments simultaneously with shared research infrastructure. As such, APTs offer a more efficient, flexible and more effective way to identify optimal treatments. The proposed Paediatric Adaptive Sepsis Platform Trial, leveraging the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative network's infrastructure, will evaluate resuscitation fluids, vasoactive medications, corticosteroids and antimicrobials. This trial has the potential to substantially impact clinical practice and reduce global sepsis mortality in children.

Appraisal of Australian and New Zealand paediatric sepsis guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are an important tool for the management of children with sepsis. The quality, consistency and concordance of Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) childhood sepsis CPGs with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC) sepsis clinical care standards and international sepsis guidelines is unclear. METHODS: We accessed childhood sepsis CPGs for all ANZ states and territories through Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative members. The guidelines were assessed for quality using the AGREE-II instrument. Consistency between CPG treatment recommendations was assessed, as was concordance with the ACSQHC sepsis clinical care standards and international sepsis guidelines. RESULTS: Overall, eight CPGs were identified and assessed. CPGs used a narrative and pathway format, with those using both having the highest quality overall. CPG quality was highest for description of scope and clarity of presentation, and lowest for editorial independence. Consistency between guidelines for initial treatment recommendations was poor, with substantial variation in the choice and urgency of empiric antimicrobial administration; the choice, volume and urgency of fluid resuscitation; and the choice of first-line vasoactive agent. Most CPGs were concordant with time-critical components of the ACSQHC sepsis clinical care standard, although few addressed post-acute care. Concordance with international sepsis guidelines was poor. CONCLUSION: Childhood sepsis CPGs in current use in ANZ are of variable quality and lack consistency with key treatment recommendations. CPGs are concordant with the ACSQHC care standard, but not with international sepsis guidelines. A bi-national sepsis CPG may reduce unnecessary variation in care.

Sepsis epidemiology in Australian and New Zealand children (SENTINEL): protocol for a multicountry prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Sepsis affects 25.2 million children per year globally and causes 3.4 million deaths, with an annual cost of hospitalisation in the USA of US$7.3 billion. Despite being common, severe and expensive, therapies and outcomes from sepsis have not substantially changed in decades. Variable case definitions, lack of a reference standard for diagnosis and broad spectrum of disease hamper efforts to evaluate therapies that may improve sepsis outcomes. This landscape analysis of community-acquired childhood sepsis in Australia and New Zealand will characterise the burden of disease, including incidence, severity, outcomes and cost. Sepsis diagnostic criteria and risk stratification tools will be prospectively evaluated. Sepsis therapies, quality of care, parental awareness and understanding of sepsis and parent-reported outcome measures will be described. Understanding these aspects of sepsis care is fundamental for the design and conduct of interventional trials to improve childhood sepsis outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This prospective observational study will include children up to 18 years of age presenting to 12 emergency departments with suspected sepsis within the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative network in Australia and New Zealand. Presenting characteristics, management and outcomes will be collected. These will include vital signs, serum biomarkers, clinician assessment of severity of disease, intravenous fluid administration for the first 24 hours of hospitalisation, organ support therapies delivered, antimicrobial use, microbiological diagnoses, hospital and intensive care unit length-of-stay, mortality censored at hospital discharge or 30 days from enrolment (whichever comes first) and parent-reported outcomes 90 days from enrolment. We will use these data to determine sepsis epidemiology based on existing and novel diagnostic criteria. We will also validate existing and novel sepsis risk stratification criteria, characterise antimicrobial stewardship, guideline adherence, cost and report parental awareness and understanding of sepsis and parent-reported outcome measures. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was received from the Royal Children's Hospital of Melbourne, Australia Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/69948/RCHM-2021). This included incorporated informed consent for follow-up. The findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and at academic conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12621000920897; Pre-results.

Bed tilt and ramp positions are associated with increased first-pass success of adult endotracheal intubation in the emergency department: A registry study.

OBJECTIVE: Successful endotracheal intubation in the ED requires optimum body positioning. In patients with obesity, the ramp position was suggested to achieve better intubating conditions. However, limited data are available on the airway management practices for patients with obesity in Australasian EDs. The aim of this study was to identify current patient positioning practices during endotracheal intubation and its association with first-pass success (FPS) at intubation and adverse event (AE) rates in obese and non-obese populations. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from the Australia and New Zealand ED Airway Registry (ANZEDAR) between 2012 and 2019 were analysed. Patients were categorised into two groups according to their weight: <100 kg (non-obese) or ≥100 kg (obese). Four position categories were investigated; supine, pillow or occipital pad, bed tilt and ramp or head-up with relation to FPS and complication rate using logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: A total of 3708 intubations from 43 EDs were included. Overall, the non-obese cohort had a greater FPS rate (85.9%) compared to the obese group (77.0%). The bed tilt position had the highest FPS rate (87.2%), whereas the supine position had the lowest (83.0%). AE rates were highest in the ramp position (31.2%) compared to all other positions (23.8%). Regression analysis showed ramp, or bed tilt positions and a consultant-level intubator were associated with higher FPS. Obesity, in addition to other factors, was independently associated with lower FPS. CONCLUSION: Obesity was associated with lower FPS, which could be improved through performing a bed tilt or ramp positioning.

Sepsis awareness and understanding in Australian parents: A National Child Health Poll survey.

AIM: The primary aim of the study was to assess parental awareness and understanding of childhood sepsis. Secondary aims included parental knowledge of the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and what parents would do if they suspected sepsis in their own child. METHODS: An online questionnaire was administered as part of The Royal Children's Hospital National Child Health Poll. The Poll is a quarterly online survey of a sample of Australian families with at least one child aged 0-17 years old, representative by age, sex and state of residence. The questionnaire collected information on parental sepsis awareness, and for those defined as sepsis aware, information was gathered on sepsis knowledge, signs and symptoms, and how they would respond if they thought their child had sepsis. Signs and symptoms highly likely to be suggestive of sepsis were predefined based on published sepsis guidelines and awareness campaigns. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 3352 parents. Of those, 2065 (61.6%) had heard of the term sepsis and 2818 (84.1%) had heard of at least one alternate term for sepsis and were classified as 'sepsis aware'. Of the 'sepsis aware' parents, 82.9% knew that sepsis was a life-threatening condition, but only 33.8% knew that once diagnosed, sepsis may not be curable. Only 27.8% thought that they could recognise the signs of sepsis in their own child. Less than half of respondents correctly identified signs and symptoms that were highly likely to be suggestive of sepsis. Seventy-one per cent of parents said they would seek urgent care at a hospital emergency department or other facility if they thought their child had sepsis, but only 37.3% said they would consider calling an ambulance. CONCLUSION: There are considerable knowledge gaps in parental awareness and knowledge of sepsis, particularly sepsis recognition. Parental education should target these knowledge gaps in order to improve healthcare-seeking behaviour and communication between parents and healthcare providers in order to facilitate early sepsis diagnosis and treatment.

Characteristics of paediatric pre-hospital intubation by Intensive Care Paramedics.

OBJECTIVES: Emergency intubation in children is an infrequent procedure both in the pre-hospital and hospital setting. The anatomical, physiological and situational challenges together with limited clinician exposure can make this a difficult procedure with high risk of adverse events. The aim of this collaborative study between a state-wide ambulance service and a tertiary children's hospital was to describe the characteristics of pre-hospital paediatric intubations by Intensive Care Paramedics. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of state-wide ambulance service electronic patient care records (ePCRs) in Victoria, Australia, population: 6.5 million. Children aged 0-18 years who were attended by paramedics over a 12-month period that required advanced airway management were analysed for demographics and first-pass success rate. RESULTS: Paramedics attended 2674 cases aged 0-18 years over the 12-month study period who received basic or advanced airway management. A total of 78 cases required advanced airway management. The median age of patients was 12 years (interquartile range 3-16) and most were male (60.2%). Sixty-eight patients (87.5%) were intubated successfully on the first attempt, first-pass success was lowest in children <1 year of age. The most common indications for pre-hospital intubation were closed head injury and cardiac arrest. It was not possible to report complication rates because of incomplete documentation. CONCLUSION: Pre-hospital intubation in children is performed infrequently in an extremely unwell patient group. Continued high-level paramedic training is required to prevent adverse events and ensure patient safety.

Apnoeic oxygenation during paediatric intubation: A systematic review.

Objective: This review assesses the effect of apnoeic oxygenation during paediatric intubation on rates of hypoxaemia, successful intubation on the first attempt and other adverse events. Data sources: The databases searched included PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library. An electronic search for unpublished studies was also performed. Study selection: We screened studies that include children undergoing intubation, studies that evaluate the use of apnoeic oxygenation by any method or device with outcomes of hypoxaemia, intubation outcome and adverse events were eligible for inclusion. Data extraction: Screening, risk of bias, quality of evidence and data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers, with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer where consensus could not be reached. Data synthesis: From 362 screened studies, fourteen studies (N = 2442) met the eligibility criteria. Randomised controlled trials (N = 482) and studies performed in the operating theatre (N = 835) favoured the use of apnoeic oxygenation with a reduced incidence of hypoxaemia (RR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.47, p < 0.001, I 2 = 0% and RR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.68, p = 0.005, I 2 = 68% respectively). Studies in the ED and PICU were of lower methodological quality, displaying heterogeneity in their results and were unsuitable for meta-analysis. Among the studies reporting first attempt intubation success, there were inconsistent effects reported and data were not suitable for meta-analysis. Conclusion: There is a growing body of evidence to support the use of apnoeic oxygenation during the intubation of children. Further research is required to determine optimal flow rates and delivery technique. The use of humidified high-flow oxygen shows promise as an effective technique based on data in the operating theatre, however its efficacy has not been shown to be superior to low flow oxygen in either the elective anesthetic or emergency intubation situations Systematic Review Registration: This review was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO international register of systematic reviews (Reference: CRD42020170884, registered April 28, 2020).

Prevalence and predictors of poor outcome in children with febrile neutropaenia presenting to the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: Children with acquired neutropaenia due to cancer chemotherapy are at high risk of severe infection. The present study aims to describe the prevalence and predictors of poor outcomes in children with febrile neutropaenia (FN). METHODS: This is a multicentre, prospective observational study in tertiary Australian EDs. Cancer patients with FN were included. Fever was defined as a single temperature ≥38°C, and neutropaenia was defined as an absolute neutrophil count <1000/mm3 . The primary outcome was the ICU admission for organ support therapy (inotropic support, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, extracorporeal life support). Secondary outcomes were: ICU admission, ICU length of stay (LOS) ≥3 days, proven or probable bacterial infection, hospital LOS ≥7 days and 28-day mortality. Initial vital signs, biomarkers (including lactate) and clinical sepsis scores, including Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and quick Paediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2 were evaluated as predictors of poor outcomes. RESULTS: Between December 2016 and January 2018, 2124 episodes of fever in children with cancer were screened, 547 episodes in 334 children met inclusion criteria. Four episodes resulted in ICU admission for organ support therapy, nine episodes required ICU admission, ICU LOS was ≥3 days in four, hospital LOS was ≥7 days in 153 and two patients died within 28 days. Vital signs, blood tests and clinical sepsis scores, including Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and quick Paediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2, performed poorly as predictors of these outcomes (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve <0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Very few patients with FN required ICU-level care. Vital signs, biomarkers and clinical sepsis scores for the prediction of poor outcomes are of limited utility in children with FN.

Parenteral Long-Acting Antiseizure Medications Are Used More Often to Treat Seizure Clusters Than Convulsive Status Epilepticus in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Objective:Recent trials provide high-quality evidence for second-line treatment of convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) in children. However, the most effective medications for other seizure emergencies are poorly understood without established treatment algorithms. We investigated children presenting to the emergency department with repetitive or prolonged convulsions who required intravenous long-acting antiseizure medications, to determine the relative importance and treatment responsiveness of status epilepticus and seizure clusters. Methods: Retrospective observational study in the emergency department, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (annual census 90 000) using hospital electronic medical records data of patients presenting with seizures in 2018. For patients receiving parenteral long-acting antiseizure medications, seizures were categorized as convulsive status epilepticus, nonconvulsive status epilepticus, and seizure clusters. Results: 1468 patients (2% of all visits) presented with seizures to the emergency department in 2018. Long-acting antiseizure medications were administered to 97 (7%) children for the emergency management of seizures. The majority presented with seizure clusters (n = 69; 71%). Only 11 (11%) were in convulsive status epilepticus and 17 (18%) in nonconvulsive status epilepticus. In convulsive status epilepticus, nonconvulsive status epilepticus, and seizure clusters, phenytoin was used in 27%, 53%, and 58% and levetiracetam in 73%, 47%, and 32%, respectively. Conclusions:Convulsive status epilepticus represents a small portion of patients requiring parenteral long-acting antiseizure medications. Seizure clusters accounted for >6 times the number of convulsive status epilepticus, yet evidence and treatment algorithms are lacking.

PRagMatic Pediatric Trial of Balanced vs nOrmaL Saline FlUid in Sepsis: study protocol for the PRoMPT BOLUS randomized interventional trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite evidence that preferential use of balanced/buffered fluids may improve outcomes compared with chloride-rich 0.9% saline, saline remains the most commonly used fluid for children with septic shock. We aim to determine if resuscitation with balanced/buffered fluids as part of usual care will improve outcomes, in part through reduced kidney injury and without an increase in adverse effects, compared to 0.9% saline for children with septic shock. METHODS: The Pragmatic Pediatric Trial of Balanced versus Normal Saline Fluid in Sepsis (PRoMPT BOLUS) study is an international, open-label pragmatic interventional trial being conducted at > 40 sites in the USA, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand starting on August 25, 2020, and continuing for 5 years. Children > 6 months to < 18 years treated for suspected septic shock with abnormal perfusion in an emergency department will be randomized to receive either balanced/buffered crystalloids (intervention) or 0.9% saline (control) for initial resuscitation and maintenance fluids for up to 48 h. Eligible patients are enrolled and randomized using serially numbered, opaque envelopes concurrent with clinical care. Given the life-threatening nature of septic shock and narrow therapeutic window to start fluid resuscitation, patients may be enrolled under "exception from informed consent" in the USA or "deferred consent" in Canada and Australia/New Zealand. Other than fluid type, all decisions about timing, volume, and rate of fluid administration remain at the discretion of the treating clinicians. For pragmatic reasons, clinicians will not be blinded to study fluid type. Anticipated enrollment is 8800 patients. The primary outcome will be major adverse kidney events within 30 days (MAKE30), a composite of death, renal replacement therapy, and persistent kidney dysfunction. Additional effectiveness, safety, and biologic outcomes will also be analyzed. DISCUSSION: PRoMPT BOLUS will provide high-quality evidence for the comparative effectiveness of buffered/balanced crystalloids versus 0.9% saline for the initial fluid management of children with suspected septic shock in emergency settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PRoMPT BOLUS was first registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT04102371 ) on September 25, 2019. Enrollment started on August 25, 2020.

Debriefing immediately after intubation in a children's emergency department is feasible and contributes to measurable improvements in patient safety.

OBJECTIVE: In 2013, our intubations highlighted a safety gap - only 49% achieved first-pass success without hypoxia or hypotension. NAP4 recommended debriefing after intubation, but limited published methods existed. Primary aim is to implement a feasible process for immediate debriefing and feedback for emergency airway management. Secondary aims are to contribute to reduced frequency of adverse intubation-related events and implement qualitative improvements in patient safety through team reflection and feedback. METHODS: A component of a prospective quality improvement (QI) study over 4 years in the ED of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Debrief and feedback after intubation was one of seven study interventions. Targeted staff training and involvement of departmental leaders occurred. A post-intervention cohort was audited in 2016. Analysis included the Team Emergency Assessment Measure. RESULTS: Immediate post-event debriefing occurred in 39 (85%) of 46 intubations. Debriefing was short (median duration 5 min, interquartile range [IQR] 5-10) and soon after (median time 20 min, IQR 5-60). Commonest location was the resuscitation room (92%), led by the team leader (97%). Commonest barrier preventing immediate debriefing was excessive workload. Two QI process measures were assessed during debriefing (adequate resuscitation, airway plan) and case summaries distributed for 100% of intubations. Performance outcomes included contribution to 78% first-pass success without hypoxia or hypotension. Team reflection prompted changes to environment (signage, stickers), training (skill drills), teamwork and process (communication, clinical event debriefing). CONCLUSION: Structured and targeted debriefing after intubating children in the ED is feasible and contributes to measurable and qualitative improvements in patient safety.

Changes in emergency department blood product use for major paediatric trauma following the implementation of a major haemorrhage protocol.

OBJECTIVE: Fixed ratio blood product administration may improve outcomes in trauma patients with massive blood loss. The present study aimed to describe the impact of a major haemorrhage protocol (MHP) on the ratio of blood products administered for paediatric major trauma. METHODS: Retrospective observational study in a state-designated paediatric major trauma centre in Melbourne, Australia. Children with major trauma who received blood products in the ED were identified from a hospital trauma registry. Blood product ratios before, during and after implementation of a hospital MHP were compared in consecutive 2 year blocks. RESULTS: Over a 6 year period, 767 major trauma patients were identified, of whom 47 received blood products in the ED and were included in the analysis; 14 pre-MHP implementation, 24 during-MHP implementation and nine post-MHP implementation. No patients received blood products at a ratio of 1:1:1 for red blood cells:fresh frozen plasma:platelets, respectively, during any time period. In this cohort of predominantly blunt trauma, blood products were infrequently administered in the ED because of the low prevalence of massive blood loss. Coagulopathy and hypofibrinogenaemia were commonly observed, nearly half of included patients were managed operatively and one quarter did not survive their injuries. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a MHP did not change the ratio of blood product administration in this cohort of patients because of the infrequency of massive blood loss. Future studies may focus on the impact of treating coagulopathy and hypofibrinogenaemia on patient-centred outcomes.

Febrile children in the Emergency Department: Frequency and predictors of poor outcome.

AIM: To evaluate the frequency and predictors of poor outcome in febrile children presenting to the Emergency Department. METHODS: Retrospective observational study from the Emergency Department of The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. All children with presenting complaint of fever or triage temperature >38°C over a 6-month period were included. Poor outcome was defined as: new organ dysfunction or the requirement for organ support therapy (inotrope infusion, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy and extra-corporeal life support). Predictors evaluated were as follows: initial vital signs, blood tests and clinical scores. Odds ratio, sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve were calculated for each predictor variable. RESULTS: Between Jan-June 2019, 6217 children met inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven (0.4%) developed new organ dysfunction, 10 (0.2%) required organ support therapy (inotrope infusion in 5, mechanical ventilation in 6, renal replacement therapy in 1, extra-corporeal life support in 1). Odds of new organ dysfunction, requirement for inotropic support and mechanical ventilation were higher with abnormal initial vital signs, blood tests and clinical scores, though overall test characteristics were poor due to infrequency. CONCLUSION: Poor outcomes were uncommon among febrile children presenting to the Emergency Department. Vital signs, blood tests and clinical scores were poor predictors.

Intubation practices for children in emergency departments and intensive care units across Australia and New Zealand: A survey of medical staff.

OBJECTIVE: Intubation of children in the emergency setting is a high-risk, low incidence event. Standardisation of clinical practice has been hampered by a lack of high-quality evidence to support one technique over another. The aim of the present study is to determine clinician preference in intubation practice of children in EDs and ICUs in Australia and New Zealand to provide baseline information to allow future targeted research focused on improving the safety and efficacy of paediatric emergency airway management. METHODS: The present study was a voluntary questionnaire undertaken by medical staff at registrar level or above in EDs and ICUs associated with the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) and Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Paediatric Study Group (ANZICS PSG) research networks. Respondents reported on their individual intubation practices, with a focus on pre-oxygenation and apnoeic oxygenation techniques, and the use of video laryngoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 502 clinicians were invited to complete the survey between May and October 2018 with 336 (66.9%) responded. There was marked variation in practice between ED clinicians and ICU clinicians in the techniques used for pre-oxygenation, the frequency of use of apnoeic oxygenation and the reported use of video laryngoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Within Australia and New Zealand there is considerable variation in paediatric emergency airway clinical practice, in particular with respect to pre-oxygenation, apnoeic oxygenation and use of video laryngoscopy. Definitive clinical trials are required to best inform clinical practice in this area.

Delphi assessment of audit and research priorities in an emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: Audit and research projects in the ED are important to improve patient care but can be time and resource consuming. We identified and prioritised audit and research topics among multidisciplinary ED staff to fill perceived knowledge gaps, encourage engagement, reduce duplication and facilitate translation of evidence into clinical practice. METHODS: A two-stage electronic Delphi survey process was undertaken by senior medical, nursing, education and social work staff at the Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria. Survey 1 collected demographic data and audit and research ideas following a series of open-ended questions. Priority themes were defined as those that had more than four responses. Survey 2 used a 7-point Likert ranking of these themes to generate a departmental audit and research prioritisation list. RESULTS: 72/89 (82%) available senior staff responded to survey 1 and 63/83 (76%) responded to survey 2. Survey 1 yielded 208 audit and 130 research topics. Survey 2 established a prioritised list of 17 audit and 14 research topics. Top audit themes were mental healthcare, patient flow, management of sepsis and delays in ED specialist referrals. Top research priorities were the management of sepsis, mental healthcare, management of patients with autism and the management of severe asthma. CONCLUSIONS: This Delphi study has provided departmental audit and research priorities that are perceived to be of importance across the multidisciplinary ED team. This methodology allows strategic allocation of limited resources and may increase staff engagement.

Does fluid bolus therapy increase blood pressure in children with sepsis?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect of fluid bolus therapy (FBT) on blood pressure in children with sepsis. Secondary outcomes included the effect of FBT on systemic vascular resistance, shock index and shock phenotype (warm or cold). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study in the ED of The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Participants were children meeting international consensus criteria for sepsis who received FBT for tachycardia or hypotension. FBT was defined as 10-20 mL/kg of 0.9% saline. Mean blood pressure (MBP) was recorded at baseline, 5 and 60 min after FBT. Total systemic vascular resistance index (TSVRi), shock index, and shock phenotype were derived for each time point. Hypotension was defined as MBP <55 + 1.5 × age (years). Warm shock was defined as TSVRi <800 dyne s/cm5 /m2 . RESULTS: Fifty fluid boluses were recorded in 41 children. Median MBP was 78 mmHg (interquartile range [IQR] 63-86) at baseline, 72 mmHg (IQR 60-82) at 5 min, and 75 mmHg (IQR 66-84) at 60 min. Hypotension was observed in 16% at baseline, 26% at 5 min and 17% at 60 min. Median TSVRi was 1580 dyne s/cm5 /m2 (IQR 1242-2206) at baseline, 1254 dyne s/cm5 /m2 (IQR 1027-1787) at 5 min, and 1850 dyne s/cm5 /m2 (IQR 1265-2140) at 60 min. Median shock index was 1.60 (IQR 1.34-1.90) at baseline, 1.49 (IQR 1.25-1.76) at 5 min and 1.37 (IQR 1.22-1.61) at 60 min. Two percent of cases had warm shock at baseline, 12% at 5 min and 2% at 60 min. CONCLUSIONS: MBP initially decreased following FBT for paediatric sepsis, returning towards baseline over the subsequent 60 min. The utility of FBT for increasing MBP and its effect on patient-centred outcomes in children with sepsis warrants further exploration.

Emergency intubation of children outside of the operating room.

Intubation of children outside of the operating room is performed infrequently and is often associated with life-threatening adverse events. This review aims to clarify the contributors to adverse events encountered during intubations outside of the operating room and provide preventative strategies. The primary contributors to adverse events during non-operating room intubations are physiologically and situationally difficult airways; anatomically difficult airways are rare. Systems-based changes, including a shared mental model, standardization in equipment and its location, checklist use, physiological resuscitation prior to resuscitation, dose titration of induction agent, multi-disciplinary team training in the technical and nontechnical aspects of non-operating room intubation, debrief post-real and simulated events, and regular audit of performance all reduce life-threatening intubation-related adverse events in children. Intubation of children outside of the operating room may be performed safely through engagement of all critical care specialties, shared learning, and focus on patient-centered care delivery.

Epidemiology and effects of fluid bolus administration in the paediatric emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: Fluid bolus therapy (FBT) is recommended as the initial form of acute circulatory support for many disease processes. The epidemiology of its use in the ED is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess indications, use patterns and short-term effects of FBT in a paediatric ED. METHODS: Retrospective observational study in the ED of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (annual census >90 000) using hospital electronic medical record data for all patients who received an i.v. fluid bolus in the ED over the calendar year 2018 were included in the study. We extracted demographics, indications, volume, content of FBT as well as subsequent vital sign and biochemical changes. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred and thirty-nine fluid boluses were administered to 1343/90 000 children (1.5%), 1185 received 1, 123 received 2, 32 received 3, and 3 received 4 boluses. Fluid bolus volume of 10 mL/kg was used in 45.3%, 20 mL/kg in 35.7%, 500 mL in 6.4% and 1000 mL in 7.1%. The fluid content was 0.9% saline in 99.9% of cases. The most common indications for FBT were: vomiting/diarrhoea (23%), acute febrile illness (11%) and pneumonia or sepsis (10% each). FBT was associated with a reduction in median heart rate by 6 beats per minute (P < 0.01), reduction in mean blood pressure by 3 mmHg (P < 0.01), and reduction in venous lactate by 0.2 mmol/L (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Fluid bolus therapy is a commonly used intervention in the paediatric ED, most often for dehydration. Variability in indications, dose and effects of FBT warrant further exploration.