181 research outputs found
Responding to unexpected infant deaths : experience in one English region
No full textNew national procedures for responding to the unexpected death of a child in England
require a joint agency approach to investigate each death and support the bereaved
family. As part of a wider population-based study of sudden unexpected deaths in
infancy (SUDI) we evaluated the implementation of this approach.
Methods: A process evaluation using a population-based study of all unexpected
deaths from birth to 2 years in the South West of England between January 2003 and
December 2006. Local police and health professionals followed a standardised
approach to the investigation of each death, supported by the research team set up to
facilitate this joint approach as well as collect data for a wider research project.
Results: We were notified of 155/157 SUDI, with a median time to notification of 2
hours. Initial multi-agency discussions took place in 93.5% of cases. A joint home
visit by police officers with health professionals was carried out in 117 cases, 75%
within 24 hours of the death. Time to notification and interview reduced during the 4
years of the study. Autopsies were conducted on all cases, the median time to autopsy
being 3 days. At the conclusion of the investigation, a local multi-agency case
discussion was held in 88% of cases. The median time for the whole process
(including family support) was 5 months.
Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that with appropriate protocols and
support, the joint agency approach to the investigation of unexpected infant deaths
can be successfully implemented
What do serious case reviews achieve?
No full textAlthough there had been some earlier public inquiries, the inquiry into the death of 7 year old Maria Colwell in 1973[1] was a critical episode in the history of child protection in the UK. It was this inquiry that led to the formalisation of inter-agency child protection procedures, the establishment of Area Child Protection Committees, and the creation of a child protection register. It also sparked off a long line of public inquiries into serious and fatal maltreatment, more recently superseded by statutory Serious Case Reviews (SCRs) carried out by Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs). The public outcries over the deaths of Victoria Climbié and Peter Connelly highlighted the fact that, in spite of all the time and resource spent on these reviews, the problems of severe child abuse have not gone away. This begs the question of whether we have truly learnt anything from the reviews and whether anything has changed as a result
Unexpected but not unexplained : investigating a case of sudden unexpected death in infancy
No full textArikamedu et le graffito naval d'Alagankulam. V. Begley, P. Francis, Jr., I. Mahadevan, K.V. Raman, S.E. Sidebotham, Κ. W. Slane, E. Lyding Will, The Ancient Port of Arikamedu. New Excavations and Researches 1989-1992 I (Mémoires archéologiques 22) (1996)
No full textTchernia André. Arikamedu et le graffito naval d'Alagankulam. V. Begley, P. Francis, Jr., I. Mahadevan, K.V. Raman, S.E. Sidebotham, Κ. W. Slane, E. Lyding Will, The Ancient Port of Arikamedu. New Excavations and Researches 1989-1992 I (Mémoires archéologiques 22) (1996). In: Topoi, volume 8/1, 1998. pp. 447-463
Developing effective child death review : a study of ‘early starter’ child death overview panels in England
No full textAim This qualitative study of a small number of child
death overview panels aimed to observe and describe
their experience in implementing new child death review
processes, and making prevention recommendations.
Methods Nine sites reflecting a geographic and
demographic spread were selected from Local
Safeguarding Children Boards across England. Data were
collected through a combination of questionnaires,
interviews, structured observations, and evaluation of
documents. Data were subjected to qualitative analysis.
Results Data analysis revealed a number of themes
within two overarching domains: the systems and
structures in place to support the process; and the
process and function of the panels. The data emphasised
the importance of child death review being
a multidisciplinary process involving senior professionals;
that the process was resource and time intensive; that
effective review requires both quantitative and
qualitative information, and is best achieved through
a structured analytic framework; and that the focus
should be on learning lessons, not on trying to apportion
blame. In 17 of the 24 cases discussed by the panels,
issues were raised that may have indicated preventable
factors. A number of examples of recommendations
relating to injury prevention were observed including
public awareness campaigns, community safety
initiatives, training of professionals, development of
protocols, and lobbying of politicians.
Conclusions The results of this study have helped to
inform the subsequent establishment of child death
overview panels across England. To operate effectively,
panels need a clear remit and purpose, robust structures
and processes, and committed personnel. A multiagency
approach contributes to a broader understanding
of and response to children’s deaths
Heat transfer modeling: an inductive approach
No full textThis innovative text emphasizes a "less-is-more" approach to modeling complicated systems such as heat transfer by treating them first as "1-node lumped models" that yield simple closed-form solutions. The author develops numerical techniques for students to obtain more detail, but also trains them to use the techniques only when simpler approaches fail. Covering all essential methods offered in traditional texts, but with a different order, Professor Sidebotham stresses inductive thinking and problem solving as well as a constructive understanding of modern, computer-based practice. Readers learn to develop their own code in the context of the material, rather than just how to use packaged software, offering a deeper, intrinsic grasp behind models of heat transfer. Developed from over twenty-five years of lecture notes to teach students of mechanical and chemical engineering at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, the book is ideal for students and practitioners across engineering disciplines seeking a solid understanding of heat transfer. This book also: · Adopts a novel inductive pedagogy where commonly understood examples are introduced early and theory is developed to explain and predict readily recognized phenomena · Introduces new techniques as needed to address specific problems, in contrast to traditional texts’ use of a deductive approach, where abstract general principles lead to specific examples · Elucidates readers’ understanding of the "heat transfer takes time" idea—transient analysis applications are introduced first and steady-state methods are shown to be a limiting case of those applications · Focuses on basic numerical methods rather than analytical methods of solving partial differential equations, largely obsolete in light of modern computer power · Maximizes readers’ insights to heat transfer modeling by framing theory as an engineering design tool, not as a pure science, as has been done in traditional textbooks · Integrates practical use of spreadsheets for calculations and provides many tips for their use throughout the text examples
Patterns of child death in England and Wales
No full textIn the past century, child mortality has fallen to very low rates in all developed countries. However, rates between and within countries vary widely, and factors can be identified that could be modified to reduce the risk of future deaths. An understanding of the nature and patterns of child death and of the factors contributing to child deaths is essential to drive preventive initiatives. We discuss the epidemiology of child deaths in England and Wales. We use available data, particularly that of death registration and other available datasets, and published literature to emphasise issues relevant to reduction of child deaths in developed countries. We examine the different patterns of mortality at different ages in five broad categories of death: perinatal causes, congenital abnormalities, acquired natural causes, external causes, and unexplained deaths. For each category, we explore what is known about the main causes of death and some of the contributory factors. We then explain how this knowledge might be used to help to drive prevention initiatives
Child death in high-income countries
No full textAlthough high income countries have made substantial progress towards reducing child mortality over recent decades, rates vary markedly between and within countries, and modifiable factors continue to be identified in many deaths. A series of three articles in The Lancet has described the epidemiology of child mortality and a standardised approach to child death reviews in high income countries. Patterns of child mortality at different ages are delineated into five broad categories: perinatal, congenital, acquired natural, external, and unexplained; while contributory factors are described across four broad domains: factors intrinsic to the child, the physical environment, the social environment, and service delivery. This commentary attempts to draw on the conclusions of these three articles and make practical recommendations on strategies in three key areas with perhaps the greatest potential to further reduce child mortality in high income countries: perinatal conditions, particularly preterm birth; acquired natural conditions, such as sepsis or acute respiratory problems; and external causes, including road traffic fatalities
What do bereaved parents want from professionals after the sudden death of their child : a systematic review of the literature
No full textBackground
The death of a child is a devastating event for parents. In many high income countries, following an unexpected death, there are formal investigations to find the cause of death as part of wider integrated child death review processes. These processes have a clear aim of establishing the cause of death but it is less clear how bereaved families are supported. In order to inform better practice, a literature review was undertaken to identify what is known about what bereaved parents want from professionals following an unexpected child death.
Methods
This was a mixed studies systematic review with a thematic analysis to synthesize findings. The review included papers from Europe, North America or Australasia; papers had to detail parents’ experiences rather than professional practices.
Results
The review includes data from 52 papers, concerning 4000 bereaved parents. After a child has died, parents wish to be able to say goodbye to them at the hospital or Emergency Department, they would like time and privacy to see and hold their child; parents may bitterly regret not being able to do so. Parents need to know the full details about their child’s death and may feel that they are being deliberately evaded when not given this information. Parents often struggle to obtain and understand the autopsy results even in the cases where they consented for the procedure. Parents would like follow-up appointments from health care professionals after the death; this is to enable them to obtain further information as they may have been too distraught at the time of the death to ask appropriate questions or comprehend the answers. Parents also value the emotional support provided by continuing contact with health-care professionals.
Conclusion
All professionals involved with child deaths should ensure that procedures are in place to support parents; to allow them to say goodbye to their child, to be able to understand why their child died and to offer the parents follow-up appointments with appropriate health-care professionals
- …
