Paediatric resuscitation - by phone

Objective: To ascertain the training and knowledge of paediatric resuscitat ion amongst all paediatric residents in New Zealand. Method: A validated national telephone survey. Results: interviews were conducted with 96 out of a possible 109 paediatric residents. Most had been qualified less than 5 years and a third had recei ved some training in paediatric resuscitation in the last year. The initial dose of intravenous adrenaline was known by 61% but only 10% knew the reco mmended ten-fold increase in subsequent doses. Recognition of the importanc e of cervical spine management in trauma was poor. Correct resuscitation fl uids and volumes were selected by 90%, though infusion rates were frequentl y too slow. Residents with paediatric qualifications and greater experience scored significantly higher. Conclusion: Many junior paediatric staff are inadequately prepared for resu scitating children. We believe improved regular training is required and th at the introduction of a nation-wide Advanced Paediatric Life Support cours e, subsequent to the completion of this survey, will lead to improved stand ards. Its effectiveness needs to be audited.