Biomedical subjects
Muhammad Waseem
Publications and source records attributed to Muhammad Waseem.
Unusual presentation of acetaminophen toxicity.
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Parental perception of waiting time and its influence on parental satisfaction in an urban pediatric emergency department: are parents accurate in determining waiting time?
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether parental perception of waiting time in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED) is accurate and whether the actual waiting times or their perception of waiting times impact on parental satisfaction. METHODS: A prospective convenience sample study in which the on-duty emergency physicians randomly administered a questionnaire at the time of the ED visit was used. During a 3-week period from December 15, 1999, through January 7, 2000, 500 parents or legal guardians of children who visited our ED were questioned about their perceived waiting time, and the responses were compared with the actual waiting time. The parents or guardians were also asked if they were satisfied with the waiting time. RESULTS: The majority (84%) of parents overestimated waiting time in the ED (median difference, 26 min; interquartile range, 9-50 min). Parents with perceived or actual waiting times that exceeded 2 hours were significantly more likely to be dissatisfied than parents with actual or perceived waiting times that were 1 hour or less (P < 0.001). Satisfaction was not related to the age (P = 0.35), sex (P = 0.30), race/ethnicity (P = 0.90), or mode of arrival (P = 0.28). CONCLUSION: Parents tend to overestimate waiting time. Both perceived and actual waiting times that exceed 2 hours were associated with parental dissatisfaction. ED administrators may need to keep this in mind when arranging ED staffing patterns to match peak patient hours to achieve optimal parental satisfaction.
Parental presence during invasive procedures in children: what is the physician's perspective?
INTRODUCTION: Invasive procedures may be frightening and painful experiences for children and their parents. Many parents prefer to be present when procedures are performed in their children. Allowing parents to be present during procedures decreases procedure-related anxiety. Few if any studies have addressed the physician's perspective on this issue. We conducted a simple observation survey to examine this question. METHODS: We sent three-part questionnaires to the directors of 80 emergency departments with pediatric and/or emergency medicine (EM) residencies or pediatric EM fellowship training programs. The questionnaires asked whether physicians allowed parents to be present during medical procedures, as well as their opinions regarding parental presence and the effect it had on them as physicians. RESULTS: The response rate was 77% (n = 62). More than 87% of physicians stated that they allow parents to be present during simple procedures (eg, venipuncture), but they indicated that they are more reluctant to do so during more invasive procedures (eg, major resuscitation scenario; 22%). Physicians' training also may influence their level of comfort and their decision making in such situations. CONCLUSION: Most physicians stated that they allow parental presence during simple procedures. Physicians were more reluctant to allow parents to be present during complex procedures. EM and pediatric emergency medical training increased the physicians' level of comfort.
Visual diagnosis: a febrile child who has "red eyes" and a rash.
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Bilateral, painless scrotal swelling in an adolescent.
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