TY - JOUR T1 - Cardiology JF - Archives of Disease in Childhood JO - Arch Dis Child SP - A52 LP - A55 VL - 94 IS - Suppl 1 A2 - , Y1 - 2009/03/01 UR - http://adc.bmj.com/content/94/Suppl_1/A52.abstract N2 - S. Thyagarajan, A. Chavan, W. Kelsall, S. Latifi. Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UKBackground: Approximately 1% of patients with cardiac problems are admitted to non-cardiac paediatric intensive care units (PICU) in the UK every year.1 The Paediatric Intensive Care Society standards document specifies that PICU should have access to specialty services such as paediatric cardiology within 2 h and have a 24-h on-site cover.2Aims: To review local workload and conduct a survey of other similar, non-cardiac units across the UK to assess compliance with recommended standards.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the indications and outcomes of children referred for cardiology opinions over a 4-year period in our non-cardiac PICU. Patients were identified from the unit database. We then conducted an e-mail survey of the lead consultants in other UK non-cardiac PICU to determine the provision of cardiology services to critically ill children.Results: Over the study period there were 1835 admissions to our PICU, 62 (3.4%) were referred to the single paediatrician with expertise in cardiology who provides cardiology services locally. Of these referrals, 26 (42%) patients had abnormal echo findings. 13 (21%) were transferred to a cardiac unit and underwent surgery. All nine (15%) cases with arrythmias were managed locally. 15 primarily non-cardiac PICU were identified from the PICAnet database. All 15 units had either a paediatrician with cardiology interest, consultant intensivist, echo technician or radiologist available to perform echocardiography. Their immediate availability was dependent on being on call. Only one unit had round-the-clock cover. A further seven (47%) units could manage paediatric cardiology input within 24 h. Telemedicine links were only used in one unit.Conclusions: The local admission rate is in line with national figures. Very few PICU meet the recommended standards and services are dependent on chance. Whereas telemedicine has been utilised in other areas, … ER -