Pediatric and adult emergency management assistance using computerized guidelines.

This study was performed to determine if computer assistance is able to improve the initial management of pediatric patients in critical emergencies. A computer program that provides an easily accessible, concise set of information to assist in the management of medical emergencies is described. It provides size- and age-specific endotracheal tube sizes, drug doses, continuous intravenous (IV) drug infusion preparation instructions, and emergency management guidelines for pediatric and adult patients with one of several acute emergencies. These emergencies include asystole, respiratory failure, anaphylaxis, shock, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures due to several common causes, and rapid sequence anesthesia induction. The use of this program was shown to reduce the time required for the preparation and administration of emergency therapy while minimizing management errors. A lap-top computer running this program may be a worthwhile addition to emergency departments and hospital resuscitation carts as a resource, especially for physicians less experienced in the care of children.