Updated December, 2010
Pediatric Call Protocols
PYLORIC STENOSIS:
In most cases, the ER requests an ultrasound examination which is performed by the
technologist. In those instances when patients arrive at MUSC with outside imaging, the
imaging studies should be made available to the radiology residents and subsequently the
pediatric radiology attendings by downloading onto the Web 1000 server. The
radiologists will review the imaging for adequacy and determine if further imaging is
required. If it is determined that further imaging is appropriate, the sonographer will
perform the ultrasound.
However, we agreed that although the diagnosis of pyloric stenosis is urgent it does not
constitute a medical emergency and therefore, in those instances when there is no tech
available, the ultrasound examination can wait until first thing in the a.m. If there are
extenuating circumstances and the examination cannot wait, the clinical residents and
faculty should make the radiology resident and pediatric radiology attending aware of the
situation, so that an alternative plan can be developed.
APPENDICITIS
Protocol for CT scans of the abdomen/pelvis performed for the clinical concern of Acute
appendicitis in children:
High Pelvis with Coronal Reconstructions @ 2 mm
IV Contrast in all patients
< 10 yo - Oral Contrast
10 or older - No oral Contrast necessary
In those cases where the history is prolonged and there is a concern for ruptured
appendicitis and abscess formation, oral and/or rectal contrast should be given.
If there is a question about whether or not to give Oral contrast, contact the pediatric
attending, prior to the study.
SEPTIC HIP//SEPTIC JOINT
After multiple meetings with colleagues in the pediatric ED, ICU, orthopedic surgery,
and children's hospital administration, we have developed the following multidisciplinary
algorithmic approach to the evaluation of possible septic hips. Please use the Synovial
Fluid Kit, which contains appropriate sterilization materials and tubes for
submission. The KITS may be located in the pediatric ED physician workspace in the
cabinets adjacent to ED protocol binders.
1) The orthopaedic surgeons and/or ER physicians will perform the clinical evaluation
and determine the need for US evaluation and possible diagnostic tap.
2) US examination of the hip will be performed under the direction of the radiology
resident and pediatric radiologist on call.
3) If an effusion is demonstrated and the patient meets criteria of labs and history
suggestive of septic arthritis, an ultrasound-guided arthrocentesis is to be performed.
4) Access to the on-call radiologist who will do this procedure will be through the
Pediatric Radiology attending on call. A benchmark ideal will be established of 2 hours
from time of ultrasound results to time of arthrocentesis. Need for sedation and adequate
fasting time may modify this interval. A weekly call schedule inclusive of pediatric
radiologists and adult radiologists who are comfortable performing the ultrasound-guided
arthrocentesis will be established. For those weeks that Dr. Hill and Dr. Rao are on
weekend call, they will provide backup during the preceding weekdays.
5) Joint aspiration should be performed sterilely. Chloraprep swabsticks should be used
for skin disinfection, 30 seconds contact with 30 seconds drying. Alcohol pads should be
used to sterilize specimen containers, 60 seconds drying time. USE MATERIALS IN
PEDIATRIC SYNOVIAL FLUID KIT. The kit is stored in the ED physician cabinets
that are adjacent to protocol books.
6) The following tests should be ordered on the synovial fluid specimen:
a) Aerobic Bacterial culture
a. Yellow cap bottle
b. Clean bottle cover with alcohol before inoculation
c. Minimum requirement= 0.5 ml, preferred = 2-4 ml
b) Anaerobic Bacterial culture
a. Purple cap bottle
b. Clean bottle cover with alcohol before inoculation
c. Minimum requirement=2 ml
c) Gram stain
a. Sterile tube
b. Remove cover, inoculate directly into tube without touching sides of
tube
c. Minimum requirement = 0.5 ml
d) Cell count and differential
a. Lavender tube
b. Minimum requirement = 0.5ml, preferred = 2ml, acceptable = 1ml
c. Tube should be swabbed with alcohol before inoculation (60 seconds
drying time)
e) Kingella PCR if CHILD UNDER 4
a. Sterile tube
b. Remove cover, inoculate direrectly into tube without touching sides of
tube
c. Minimum requirement = 0.5 ml
d. PCR will not be performed if gram stain shows gram positive
organisms
7) Patient labels should be applied to all synovial fluid specimen containers. Each label
should be dated and timed by physician.
8) Synovial fluid specimens should be walked directly to the lab by a member of the
ED team.
9) Pediatric ED and/or ICU attending physicians can provide sedation in their respective
units for the arthrocentesis. NPO status and the risks/benefits of sedation will need to be
assessed for all patients.
10) Once fluid is obtained for culture and gram stain, antibiotics may be administered if
indicated while awaiting operative intervention.
11) Pediatric orthopedics will be responsible for operative management once the
diagnosis of septic hip is confirmed by arthrocentesis.