Pedi AED's--Are they really necessary?

[EastKyFF]

I halfway know the answer to that question and halfway don't.

In EMT class, we were taught that most sudden cardiac arrests in children are due to respiratory failure, meaning the pt is usually in asystole, which an AED will not shock. In my experience, it has been respiratory or trauma and always asystole.

So if the lion's share of pedi arrests are not shockable, do you folks out there think buying a pedi AED is worth the investment?

And while you're mulling that, mull praying for some rain for us. We're burning up down here.

[IAMedic]

Ok, Rain is on it's way...however, don't quote me on that...I have missed a few services in that past several months, but I will try.

Now, onto the topic at hand. I am not familiar with Pediatric AED's. We use regular paddles with Ped extensions, or use the regular Quick Patches. Fortunately, I have never had to use them. Are you talking about a regular AED for Peds?? I haven't seen or heard of them, so don't really know if they would be useful or not. In PALS and AMLS, we learned the good ole fashion way...CPR and Pedi pads. I can't imagine putting money towards a separate AED, however, not knowing anything about them, I will not condemn. I will be checking into it though...thanks for the "heads up". :)

[ 11-16-2001: Message edited by: Adler ]

[RESQ515]

I think Heartstream FR2 AED's have pedi pads availible for them .

[EastKyFF]

Adler et al--

Yes, there is a separate pedi AED on the market now, designed strictly for juveniles. I don't know joule ratings or anything on them. Previously all AED's explicitly warned you not to use on pts under 12 years or 90 lbs. These pedi jobs are designed for just that.

I'm discussing in a non-transport, non-ALS setting. I know you can give a round of code drugs and sometimes convert pedi pts into a shockable rhythm, but in a drug-less first responder situation, I think it's highly unlikely that such an AED would be used enough to be cost-effective. We don't have all that many pedi codes anyway--two and counting, I think, in my five years here.

Only real use for them I could anticipate would be in high-population or high-risk locations, and probably only by trained medical personnel. Schools would be OK but the first teacher to hear "No shock advised" from the AED would start a campaign to ban them, thinking they're no good.

I guess to summarize it, do folks out there reading this think that in a first-responder, non-ALS setting that a pedi AED is cost-effective?

[RoryEl]

A Pedi AED is news to me. Monophasic units were restricted to 12 y/o or older, and the newer biphasic units are rated for 8 or older. How would you automate the joules for different weights in a pedi AED? I'm sceptical.

[ADSNWFLD]

I think it's a total waist of money, and will only confuse people. An AED doesn't know how large the person is. I could see adult units put on peds and ped units being placed on adults. The public just isn't that good at handling emergencies. Lets keep it simple.

And as it has already been mentioned most kids are in asystole. So the AED won't work anyway.

[swatemt]

Where I work we actually carry special pads for our Zoll 1600 that automatically change the Joules on our machines. There are still restrictions as to weight and age, but the machine with start with the lowest joules recommended for the peds pad and work its way up until it decides that the joules is enough for the patient. I too have not had to use them and am not sure that I would ever want to...but they are on our trucks and we are trained to use them!