Which way forward for the care of critically ill children?
NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination
Record ID 31999008330
English
Authors' objectives:
This report is an appraisal of the British Paediatric Association Working Party report 'The care of critically ill children'. This report recommended several major changes including an increase in the number of paediatric intensive care facilities, larger units and more specialist trained nurses.
Authors' recommendations:
There is a significant diversity of professional opinion over detailed recommendations in this area. This reflects the lack of reliable research evidence. The available evidence does not allow significant statements to be made about the best way to organise, staff and otherwise resource the care of critically ill children. Of particular note is the lack of British research in this area.
Changes should be informed by better information based upon comprehensive and accurate data collection. Units currently providing regular care for critically ill children should collect standard outcome and severity data. This will allow a more informed discussion of possible variations in the survival of children between units. Change in the care of critically ill children should be carried out in a controlled manner which can be evaluated and options for change should be subjected to critical scrutiny and be adequately costed.
The authors believe that while the BPA report is a useful source of information and summarises the views of a range of professional groups, it does not constitute sufficient basis for determining national or local policy for the care of critically ill children in Britain.
Authors' methods:
Critical appraisal
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/CRD_Reports/crdreport1.pdf
Year Published:
1995
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England
MeSH Terms
- Child
- Critical Illness
- Delivery of Health Care
- Critical Care
- Intensive Care Units, Pediatric
Contact
Organisation Name:
University of York
Contact Address:
University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,
Contact Name:
crd@york.ac.uk
Contact Email:
crd@york.ac.uk
Copyright:
Centre for Reviews and Dissemination
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.