[Facial paralysis reported in a paediatric emergency department: actuation protocol reviewed and verified].
BACKGROUND
As result of our aim to improve the quality standard of our emergency system, work has been carried out in relation to the development and monitorization of effective clinical protocols in the department of paediatric practice.


METHODS
An evidence based review approach was taken to design a clinical protocol about Bell's palsy condition for the paediatric emergency department. Previous protocol approved in March 2003 was reviewed accordingly with the new designed protocol's quality standards. The Bell's palsy cases reported since March 2003 until June 2006 to paediatric emergency department were analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 27 patients affected by Bell's palsy were reported to the hospital's emergency department. Facial expression was described in 85.19% of the cases. Cranial nerves normal function was reported in 77.78%. Fundoscopic examination was described in 77.78% and otoscopic findings in 44.44%; the absence of herpes vesicles was analyzed only in 11.11%. All patients received steroid therapy (prednisone) and the treatment resulted in the complete recovery. The mean time to resolution was 58.6 days.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to improve hospital's quality standards, clinical protocols should be designed and verified regularly to ensure the proper performance. Medical auditing also contributes to improve effectiveness in health attendance.
Unidad de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, 50009 Zaragoza, España.
I
I
Sáenz-Moreno
M
M
Jiménez-Fernández
J
J
López-Pisón
S
S
Miralbés-Terraza
A
A
García-Oguiza
J R
JR
García-Mata
M C
MC
García-Jiménez
C
C
Campos-Calleja
J L
JL
Peña-Segura
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D011787:Quality of Health Care