title: Assessing the pediatric patient. Observational assessment can substantially decrease the difficulty of pediatric patient assessment.
abstract: Pediatric patients make up less than 10% of EMS run volume, and only 10% of those require emergent interventions. For the 1 in 100 patients who require more than BLS and a safe ride to the hospital, the most valuable clues to the child's condition can be obtained from 10 feet away. Most children, even the sickest ones, can be effectively treated with BLS airway management and intraosseous infusion if emergent fluid replacement is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Acadian Ambulance, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grayson
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Gandy
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior; D012769:Shock / Q000175:diagnosis