Guidance for compassionate restraint of small children to prevent injuries with epinephrine autoinjectors.

Abstract

Without securing a child properly, injuries can happen with the use of pediatric epinephrine autoinjectors (EAI), and lacerations and embedded needles have been reported. Health care providers should ensure that instruction is provided to parents on how to hold a child during an injection with an EAI. To demonstrate the compassionate restraint of small children during an allergic emergency to ensure the safe use of an EAI. A patient was used to illustrate a compassionate restraint technique during a mock injection with an EAI. One possible technique was illustrated here to reinforce the need for complete, yet compassionate restraint of small children during the use of an EAI. The exact position intended to be used by parents or caregivers will need to be practiced with their children to ensure a safe injection in the event of an allergic emergency. Reinforcement of proper EAI use and visual guidance that illustrate compassionate restraint can potentially prevent EAI-related injuries.