Paediatric-appropriate facilities in emergency departments of community hospitals in Ontario:A cross-sectional study
10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2017.04.003
- Author:
Hamid Akhter MUHAMMAD
1
;
Siddiqui SOHAIB
;
Fayyaz JABEEN
;
Chandna AYESHA
;
Ariz ALIYA
;
Butchey JOE
;
Ambalavanar ELANCHELIYAN
;
Mistry NIRAJ
;
Azad Muhammad AFTAB
;
Bhatti A. JUNAID
;
Scolnik DENNIS
Author Information
1. Scarborough and Rouge Hospital
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Child-friendly;
Environment;
Survey;
Triage;
Waiting area
- From:
World Journal of Emergency Medicine
2017;8(4):264-268
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: We assessed whether the paediatric-appropriate facilities were available at Emergency Departments (ED) in community hospitals in a Canadian province. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of EDs in community hospitals in Ontario, Canada that had inpatient paediatric facilities and a neonatal intensive care unit. Key informants were ED chiefs, clinical educators, or managers. The survey included questions about paediatric facilities related to environment, triage, training, and staff in EDs. RESULTS: Of 52 hospitals, 69% (n=36) responded to our survey. Of them, 14% EDs (n=5) had some separated spaces available for paediatric patients. About 53% (n=19) of EDs lacked children activities, e.g., toys. Only 11% (n=4) EDs were using paediatric triage scales and 42% (n=15) had a designated paediatric resuscitation bay. Only half of the ED (n=18) required from their staff to update paediatric life support training. Only 31% (n=11) had a designated liaison paediatrician for the ED. Paediatric social worker was present in only 8% (n=3) of EDs in community hospitals. CONCLUSION: Most of the Ontario community hospital EDs included in this survey had inadequate facilities for paediatric patients such as specific waiting and treatment areas.
