The scope of practice for a pediatrician is broad, and continues to
expand. The clinician must understand physiology, disease processes, and
interventions in patients ranging in age from neonates to young adults.
Moreover, as a result of medical progress, children with chronic and
complicated illnesses are seen in general pediatrics settings for their
regular childhood care. The evolving knowledge base is matched by a growing
repertoire of technical procedures for delivering healthcare. General
pediatricians must be proficient in many of these and conversant in many
others to properly counsel the families for whom they provide care.
The intent of Current Procedures: Pediatrics is
to provide a comprehensive review of technical medical procedures applicable
to pediatric patients. The content of the book particularly targets the
general pediatrician but is also appropriate for other practitioners taking
care of children, as well as medical students and residents. The material
focuses exclusively on procedures and is not meant to be a comprehensive
textbook of pediatric medicine. Rather, the aim is to provide a clinically
useful, accessible guide with step-by-step instructions in an easy-to-use
format.
The text is divided into three parts; the
first covers the ABCs: airway stabilization, assisted breathing,
and circulatory support and vascular access. The second part contains
the rest of the alphabet—procedures organized by organ system. It
encompasses those most likely to be used by general pediatricians. Each
chapter focuses on a specific procedure, accompanied by instructive
illustrations and presented in a standard format featuring:
• Indications
• Contraindications
• Equipment needed
• Risks
• Pearls and tips
• Patient preparation and positioning
• Review of anatomy
• Step-by-step procedure instructions
• Monitoring
• Complications
• Caveats
• Follow-up
The innovative third part addresses a need unmet in other
similar texts. In recognition of the fact that generalists will often be the
clinicians suggesting subspecialty evaluation and providing initial
counseling to families, this text offers an overview of a number of
subspecialty procedures. The generalist, while not actually performing the
procedure, may need information (a general overview, reasons for referral,
indications, risks, and benefits) to demystify the patient's and family's
encounter with the subspecialist. This part is organized by organ system and
comprises a wide range of procedures, such as echocardiography, endoscopy,
and electroencephalography. Finally, the appendix lists recommended
equipment for a general pediatrics office.
The
chapter authors are recognized authorities in their field and have drawn on
their experience, as well as the published literature, to offer complete,
lucid discussions of each procedure. We hope this text will become a
well-thumbed reference kept in the most easily reached section of the
bookshelf. We welcome the comments of our readers in improving and revising
future editions.
Denise M. Goodman, MD, MSc
Thomas P. Green, MD
Sharon M. Unti, MD
Elizabeth
C. Powell, MD, MPH