Recurrent themes from paediatric mortality and morbidity: a network perspective 2021-2023

We write to raise awareness of common themes from paediatric death/incidents of harm from a network perspective. The governance group within Thames Valley & Wessex Paediatric Critical Care Operational Delivery Network formed in 2017. Our multidisciplinary body (paediatricians, trainees, paediatric intensivists and paediatric nurses) provides external support to paediatric serious incident investigations at network NHS trusts. We compose anonymised, one-page learning summaries approved at Trust level and shared to disseminate learning. Persistent tachycardia (PT) was the most common theme (60%) identified (figure 1). We believe PT is an under acknowledged sign within healthcare with limited studies to date and no formally accepted definition. In one study,1 8% of children were discharged tachycardic with an increased risk of hospital reattendance and intervention. A more recent study2 suggests PT ‘...is not associated with an increased risk of serious bacterial infection...’ (SBI) as children who remained...

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - March 19, 2024 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Aldridge, P., Baldock, A. J., Baird, J., Elson, A., McGregor, S., Thames Valley & Wessex Operational Delivery Network Paediatric Critical Care Governance Group Tags: PostScript Source Type: research