New edition of Monash Paediatric Emergency Medication Book released

The second edition of the “Paediatric Emergency Medication Book” has just been released.

Published by Monash Health, the book is a weight-based guide to medication doses for resuscitation and intubation, and emergency management of seizures, arrhythmias, sepsis, asthma, anaphylaxis and electrolyte disorders.

The book, a collaborative effort between Paediatric Emergency Physician and Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor Simon Craig and Nicole Dirnbauer, Assistant Deputy Director of Pharmacy, Monash Children's Services, is an update of the original 2014 release. 

Major changes in the new edition include additional sections on acute behavioural disturbance and procedural sedation / premedication. Additional content has also been added for treatment of acute gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as peripheral administration of vasoactive drugs.

Associate Professor Simon Craig

“Resuscitation of a young child is a rare event, and can be highly stressful,” said Dr Craig. 

“Children require weight-based dosing of all emergency medications, however, most staff are unfamiliar with the necessary drug calculations,
and serious medication errors can occur.”

 “We developed the book in response to a critical incident relating to a significant medication error a few years ago. Since then, the book has been purchased by hospitals all over Australia, and has been adopted by Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) Australia. The new edition is based upon feedback from doctors and nurses who use the resource in a variety of clinical settings.”

Ms Nicole Dirnbauer

Proceeds from the book’s sales are used to support the Monash Children’s Paediatric Resuscitation Committee and Paediatric Emergency Medicine research at Monash Health.

You can order a copy of the book HERE.