UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: The Pediatric Pause - Introducing a Trauma Informed Care Protocol

Keywords: trauma informed care, pediatric resuscitation (PubMed Search)

Posted: 7/15/2022 by Jenny Guyther, MD (Updated: 4/20/2024)
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Traumatic injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. Even in the setting of a full recovery, there can be negative psychological sequelae associated with the traumatic events. The child's perceived risk of death and parental trauma related distress have both been associated with the development of post traumatic stress.

Previous studies have suggested the key components of trauma informed pediatric care include: minimizing potentially traumatic aspects of medical care and procedures, providing children and family with basic support and information, addressing child distress such as pain, fear, and loss, promoting emotional support, screening children and families who might need support and providing anticipatory guidance about adaptive ways of coping.

The Pediatric PAUSE was introduced at a pediatric trauma center to help to reduce post traumatic stress.

PAUSE stands for Pain/Privacy, Anxiety/IV access, Urinary Catheter/Rectal Exam/Genital Exam, Support for family or staff and Explain to patient/Engage the PICU team. The article contains a table with a more detailed outline of the PAUSE.

This study evaluated the pediatric PAUSE to see if its implementation would interfere with the timeliness of the ACS/ATLS evaluation. The PAUSE was inserted after the primary and ABCDE assessment (except in the unstable patient). The use of this protocol did not prolong time between trauma bay arrival and critical imaging studies.

References

Beaulieu-Jones BR, Bingham S, Rhynhart KK, Croitoru DP, Singleton MN, Rutman MS, Baertschiger RM. Incorporating a Trauma-Informed Care Protocol Into Pediatric Trauma Evaluation: The Pediatric PAUSE Does Not Delay Imaging or Disposition. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2022 Jan 1;38(1):e52-e58. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002278. PMID: 33181796.