title: Emergency department thoracotomy: nursing implications for pediatric cases.
abstract: Cardiac arrest in the pediatric patient is an infrequent event. Although an emergency department thoracotomy is a potentially lifesaving procedure, it should be used in only a small, select group of patients. A literature review was conducted to determine the indications, surgical techniques, emergency procedures, and nursing responsibilities associated with an emergency department thoracotomy.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, 5070 Ritter Rd, Suite 100, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-4879, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clemence
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006336:Heart Massage / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*