OBJECTIVES: To offer analgesia and sedation should be a priority in paediatric emergency departments. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of the sedation-analgesia procedure, as well as the satisfaction of the doctors, patients and parents. METHODS: A multicentre, observational, and prospective analytical study was conducted on the sedation-analgesia procedure performed on children younger than 18 years old in 18 paediatric emergency departments in Spain from February 2015 until January 2016. RESULTS: A total of 658 procedures were recorded. The effectiveness was good in 483 cases (76.1%; 95%CI: 72.7-79.4%), partial in 138 (21.7%; 95%CI: 18.5-24.9%), and poor in 14 (2.2%; 95%CI: 1.1-3.4). The effectiveness was better when the doctor in charge was an emergency paediatrician (OR: 3.14; 95%CI: 1.10-8.95), and when a deeper level of sedation was achieved (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.68-3.35). Fifty two children (8.4%) developed adverse drug reactions, more usually gastrointestinal, neurological or respiratory ones (89.9% were resolved in <2h). One patient was intubated. The older child and a deeper level of sedation were found to be independent risk factors for adverse reactions (OR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.09-1.28 and OR: 1.86; 95%CI: 1.22-2.83, respectively). Thirteen children (5%) developed late adverse drug reactions, more commonly, dizziness and nauseas. A combination of midazolam/ketamine had been used in all the cases (RR: 24.46; 95%CI: 11.78-50.76). The perceived satisfaction level (0-10) was obtained from 604 doctors (mean: 8.54; SD: 1.95), 526 parents (mean: 8.86; SD: 1.49), and 402 children (mean: 8.78; SD: 1.70). CONCLUSIONS: The sedation-analgesia procedure performed in paediatric emergency departments by trained paediatricians seems to be useful, effective and safe, as well as satisfactory for all participants.
OBJECTIVES: To offer analgesia and sedation should be a priority in paediatric emergency departments. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of the sedation-analgesia procedure, as well as the satisfaction of the doctors, patients and parents. METHODS: A multicentre, observational, and prospective analytical study was conducted on the sedation-analgesia procedure performed on children younger than 18 years old in 18 paediatric emergency departments in Spain from February 2015 until January 2016. RESULTS: A total of 658 procedures were recorded. The effectiveness was good in 483 cases (76.1%; 95%CI: 72.7-79.4%), partial in 138 (21.7%; 95%CI: 18.5-24.9%), and poor in 14 (2.2%; 95%CI: 1.1-3.4). The effectiveness was better when the doctor in charge was an emergency paediatrician (OR: 3.14; 95%CI: 1.10-8.95), and when a deeper level of sedation was achieved (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.68-3.35). Fifty two children (8.4%) developed adverse drug reactions, more usually gastrointestinal, neurological or respiratory ones (89.9% were resolved in <2h). One patient was intubated. The older child and a deeper level of sedation were found to be independent risk factors for adverse reactions (OR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.09-1.28 and OR: 1.86; 95%CI: 1.22-2.83, respectively). Thirteen children (5%) developed late adverse drug reactions, more commonly, dizziness and nauseas. A combination of midazolam/ketamine had been used in all the cases (RR: 24.46; 95%CI: 11.78-50.76). The perceived satisfaction level (0-10) was obtained from 604 doctors (mean: 8.54; SD: 1.95), 526 parents (mean: 8.86; SD: 1.49), and 402 children (mean: 8.78; SD: 1.70). CONCLUSIONS: The sedation-analgesia procedure performed in paediatric emergency departments by trained paediatricians seems to be useful, effective and safe, as well as satisfactory for all participants.