Divisional Overview

The Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine has primary responsibility for the care of patients at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Emergency Department and is a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.

Clinical Services
In the past year over 40,000 children were seen in our Emergency Department, including approximately 137 trauma stats and 180 trauma minors. 12% of our visits result in 56% of the yearly admissions to the hospital including over 400 PICU admissions. The PEM Division coordinates and is responsible for medical control to our transport team for all pediatric referrals that need our team’s assistance. 24 hours a day a member of the department is on site and available for assistance in patient care, discussion for the need to transfer, and needed transport team support

Medical Education
As an institution of medical education, numerous trainees of varying levels of pediatric exposure receive training in our Emergency Department. We are proud to have offered over 18 years of PACTS/PALS courses to over 6,400 physicians, nurses, EMT’s, paramedics, respiratory therapists. We now have a WEB PALS course, making onsite time commitment and access to this educational venue much more user friendly to the health care provider. It should be noted that observational experiences are available in our emergency department.

Click here for information on our Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship program

Research
James Gerard, MD, Steven P. Laffey, MD, Anthony J. Scalzo, MD, et al led a research study into Web Based PAL’s as an internet-based course designed to teach the didactic portion of the AHA’s Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course via the internet.

Students who complete the on-line portion of the PALS course must then complete a 1-day practical skills and testing session at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The program proved to be quite successful. The AHA has taken this program over and it is being used nationally.

Other ongoing research studies include:
• Therapy of Cutaneous Abscesses
• Troponin I in Pediatric Trauma Patients
• Safety & Efficacy of a Codeine and Midazolam for Painful Procedures in Children
• Canine Bite Flora
• Use of Absorbable Sutures on Facial Lacerations in Children

ER Staff Physicians
Ann Dimaio, MD
Tim Staed, MD
Jason Gutting, MD
Dan Schlesinger, MD

Fellows
Kathy Lehman-Huskamp, MD
Kristi Kinder, DO
Steven Krebs, MD
Medical Secretary
PEM Fellowship Program Coordinator
Danette Kurtzeborn

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