May 3, 2005
Color coding by size helps caregivers treat young patients with greater accuracy
Sick and injured children come in all sizes, challenging their caregivers to provide them with appropriate doses of medication and other necessary therapies. Harborview Medical Center is offering a conference next week on a system that allows paramedics, physicians and nurses to assess a child’s size in time to prepare the treatments he or she will need.
“Length-Based, Color Coded Algorithms for Pediatric Resuscitation: Applications to Patient Safety and Mass Casualty Preparedness” takes place on Tuesday, May 10, 8 — 11 a.m., in the Harborview Research and Training Building Auditorium. Registration is free, and attendees with receive handouts and a continental breakfast.
The Broselow-Luten system involves estimating a child’s length using a -colored tape. This information can be gathered by paramedics or emergency room staff, then communicated to physicians and nurses who will provide care in the hospital setting. The conference will also cover use of the system in response to a potential mass-casualty event:
8 — 8:30 a.m.
Preparing for Pediatric Emergencies and Mass Casualty Events
Dr. Brian Johnston, Chief of Service, Department of Pediatrics, Harborview Medical Center
8:30 — 9:30 a.m.
Color Coding as an Aid to Pediatric Emergency Care
Dr. Jim Broselow, President, Broselow-Luten Systems, Attending Physician, Catawba Valley Emergency Physicians, Hickory, N.C.
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Color Coding for Mass Casualty Preparedness and the Pediatric Hospital Toolkit
Dr. Jim Wiley, Chief, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Connecticut Children’s Hospital
10: 30 — 11 a.m.
Open Forum & Hands-On Session: Could you use these ideas in your planning and practice?
The conference is sponsored in part by the Health Resources Services Administration, through Washington State’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response for Terrorism Program.
Pre-registration is required to insure your place at the conference. Registration is FREE and includes conference handouts and continental breakfast.
For more information or to RSVP, please e-mail: hmcpeds@u.washington.edu
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