Reduction of radial-head subluxation in children by triage nurses in the emergency department: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Radial-head subluxation is an easily identified and treated injury. We investigated whether triage nurses in the emergency department can safely reduce radial-head subluxation at rates that are not substantially lower than those of emergency department physicians.

Methods

We performed an open, noninferiority, cluster-randomized control trial. Children aged 6 years and younger who presented to the emergency department with a presentation consistent with radial-head subluxation and who had sustained a known injury in the previous 12 hours were assigned to either nurse-initiated or physician-initiated treatment, depending on the day. The primary outcome was the proportion of children who had a successful reduction (return to normal arm usage). We used a noninferiorit

SUBMITTER: Dixon A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4050023 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature