Pediatric Ventilator Management in the Emergency Department

Pediatric mechanical ventilation is first initiated by emergency physicians (EPs) when performing active airway management in a critically ill or injured child. When initiating and adjusting mechanical ventilation, the child has unique anatomy and physiology to consider. The EP is the first to respond to ventilator alarm triggers and the initial medical provider to resuscitate the ventilated pediatric patient who is deteriorating while in the emergency department. This article uses cases to provide a framework to initiate and troubleshoot mechanical ventilation of pediatric patients in the emergency department.