Pediatric Community

  • 1.  Length based tape and LNA

    Posted 20 days ago

    For those who use length based resuscitation tape- do you competency LNA/nurse tech on how to obtain the weight? Or is it done only by nurses. 
    Tracey. 



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    Tracey Croteau, BSN, RN, CPEN,CEN,TCRN
    Pediatric ED Unit Educator
    Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator
    Elliot Hospital
    Manchester, NH
    Tcroteau2@elliot-hs.org
    603-851-0037
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  • 2.  RE: Length based tape and LNA

    Posted 17 days ago
      |   view attached

    Hi Tracey

    Unique question - I love it - Moral of the story, in my travels playing peds emergency educator across the country, I've not heard of LNA/nurse tech's specifically "measuring the kid."  However, as more & more states are now using Broselow or Handtevy for not only ALS, but BLS services as well, I don't see a reason why not.  Several states now have it as part of their EMS protocols for EMS to not only specifically include the "color zone" if using Broselow, or certainly the age, if using Handtevy, in their written EMS report. But interestingly, I've also come across areas that in the EMS "radio report" (back when they used radios...), that part of the expected report is "what color zone is the kid" (sick or not sick, doesn't matter, all kids get measured & the color zone/age is part of verbal report).  Handtevy uses age as the primary determinent for meds, equipment, etc., however, Handtevy does offer a length-based tape for use as well in the event that the age of the child is not known.  So, moral of the story in my humble opinion, as long as the provider remembers "red to the head & head to the heels (not the toes)", there's not a reason that LNA/nurse tech's should'nt be able to use the tapes to determine a color zone as well.

    Cheers

    Scott

    p.s. pic of handtevy & broselow tapes with red arrow/measure here attached



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    Scott DeBoer RN,MSN,CPEN,EMT-P
    Pediatric emergency/transport nurse educator
    Co-Founder
    Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions
    Reunion, Florida
    888-280-PEDS (7337)
    Scott@PediEd.com
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  • 3.  RE: Length based tape and LNA

    Posted 16 days ago

    Hi, Tracey,

    While I agree with Scott's reasoning, I notice that you specifically asked if they should be required to complete a competency. To me, that can be a tricky situation. Requiring a competency DOES ensure they are using it correctly. LNAs and nurse techs are strictly prohibited from using the tape to calculate, select, or verify medication dosages, as medication administration falls entirely outside their clinical scope of practice. Nurse techs can stretch the physical tape next to a pediatric patient to find their color zone, but cannot use it for other purposes. If you plan on including this as a competency for them, be sure that your hospital policy is explicitly written to reflect this separation into your pediatric readiness and triage protocols. I would include language such as " Any color zone or estimated weight obtained by a nurse tech must be immediately verified by the primary triage or trauma RN before clinical decisions are executed." 



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    Penny Blake, MSN Ed, RN, CEN
    CCRN Alumnus
    EMSC Liaison/ED Pediatric Readiness Coordinator
    Florida Emergency Nurses Association
    National ENA Committee 2026-2028
    Per Diem Clinical Educator NICU and Pediatric Services
    PBHN
    North Palm Beach FL
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  • 4.  RE: Length based tape and LNA

    Posted 15 days ago

    Penny, to no surprise, great insights for which I humbly agree

    Cheers

    Scott

    ps - penny - might you share again the link to monday's Basics of Broselow/Handling Handtevy webinar as it's very applicable to this thread



    ------------------------------
    Scott DeBoer RN,MSN,CPEN,EMT-P
    Pediatric emergency/transport nurse educator
    Co-Founder
    Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions
    Reunion, Florida
    888-280-PEDS (7337)
    Scott@PediEd.com
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Length based tape and LNA

    Posted 15 days ago