PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Díaz González

Publications and source records attributed to E Díaz González.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Triage criteria in a emergency department].

OBJECTIVE: Accurate patient triage for the early identification of potentially seriously ill or high-risk children is needed due to the increasing demands made on paediatric emergency departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A set of triage criteria for patient selection was established. Between October 1998 and April 1999 we selected 20 days with maximum patient flow in our emergency department (average 225 children/day). Patients who satisfied the triage criteria were selected. The following variables were studied: age, sex, triage criteria, waiting time, visit time and final diagnosis. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirteen patients satisfied our triage criteria (11% of patients admitted to the emergency department). Median age was 3.4 years. The most frequent complaints (criteria) were dyspnea (36.4%), referral to the emergency department by another physician (29%), fever and rash (11.7%) and age under 1 month (5.8%). The most common causes of patient referral to hospital were acute abdominal pain and fever (31% each). Waiting and visit times were 29 and 55 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Definition of selection criteria seems effective and equivalent to other triage systems and allows optimization of human resources.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Pacifier use: risks and benefits].

The use of a dummy as a comforting object in childhood is widespread in civilized societies. The advisability of this practice, as well as the shape, material, or time of use of these objects, is controversial. Data on the possible beneficial effects of these objects are numerous, but there is also a long list of disorders which have been associated with their use. Their soothing effect is the most widely recognized beneficial effect and the possible relationship with a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome is the newest. The most important risks of this nonnutritive sucking habit are failure of breastfeeding, dental deformities, recurrent acute otitis media, and the risk of accidents. The development of latex allergy, tooth decay, oral ulcers and sleep disorders are other possible problems. The association with a lower intelligence quotient is disputed. Insufficient data are provided by a review of the pros and the cons of dummy use to encourage or discourage this habit. However, there are sufficient data on which to base firm recommendations such as not starting their use in the first days of life, restricting use after the age of 8 months and withdrawing these objects at the age of 1 year. Pediatricians should be aware of and recommend only dummies that meet safety requirements.

Acute Disease↗