Standardizing and Improving Care for Pediatric Agitation Management in the Emergency Department

• 2023

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• Jennifer Hoffmann; Alba Pergjika; Lynn Liu; Aron Janssen; John Walkup; Julie Johnson
PMID: 37317809DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-059586

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This study aimed to standardize agitation management in a pediatric ED to reduce physical restraint use. A quality improvement initiative from September 2020 to August 2021, followed by a 6-month maintenance period, revealed issues with agitation recognition, activity availability, staff confidence, and medication efficacy. Interventions included creating an agitation care pathway, optimizing workflows, and adding droperidol. Results showed an increase in standardized medication choice from 8% to 88% and a decrease in restraint time from 173 to 71 minutes. Standardizing care improved outcomes for pediatric patients.

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Tags

Hazard: Everyday Emergency

Audience: Behavioral Health Professionals

Emergency Management Stage: Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Droperidol; Mental Health; Restraint, Physical; Emergency Service, Hospital; Psychomotor Agitation

Institutions: Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago; Northwestern University

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