Pediatric Community

  • 1.  Infants Low Temp and ESI Danger VS

    Posted 14 hours ago

    Hello,

    Recently we had a newborn, less than 10 days old into our ED and the temperature at triage was 36.4*C rectally.

    This raised red flags for me that they were not brought back and an ESI 2 because of the association between low temperatures in young infants and sepsis.


    Looking at the ESI criteria, they only call out elevated temperatures in pediatrics, not drops in temperature.

    Does anyone have guidelines or policy in place on how low is too low for a rectal temperature on an infant who is ill - not talking a hypothermic situation with a cold water drowning or exposure event.

    Thank you!



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    Elizabeth Leming BSN;BA;CCRN
    Clinical Practice Specialist
    Children's Minnesota
    St Paul MN
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  • 2.  RE: Infants Low Temp and ESI Danger VS

    Posted 12 hours ago

    This is a great catch, and I never realized the low temps were not on the ESI. 

    For my facility, we say these are "danger vital signs"



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    Amanda Yarber, RN
    Pediatric Trauma PI and Emergency Care Coordinator
    Niswonger Children's Hospital
    Ballad Health
    Johnson City, TN
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    Original Message