PAT

Rapid (30-second) across-the-room assessment to categorize severity and type of pediatric illness

Indication

Rapid (30-second) across-the-room assessment to categorize severity and type of pediatric illness

id: appearance; label: Appearance (TICLS: Tone, Interactiveness, Consolability, Look/gaze, Speech/cry); type: options; options: label: Normal; value: 0; label: Abnormal; value: 1
id: breathing; label: Work of Breathing; type: options; options: label: Normal; value: 0; label: Abnormal (retractions, nasal flaring, tripod, grunting, stridor/wheezing); value: 1
id: circulation; label: Circulation to Skin; type: options; options: label: Normal; value: 0; label: Abnormal (pallor, mottling, cyanosis); value: 1

function(score, vals) { var a = parseInt(vals.appearance); var b = parseInt(vals.breathing); var c = parseInt(vals.circulation); if (a === 0 && b === 0 && c === 0) return { risk: 'Stable', tier: 'Stable', action: 'All three sides normal. Child appears well. Standard triage and evaluation.', color: 'green' }; if (a === 0 && b === 1 && c === 0) return { risk: 'Respiratory Distress', tier: 'Respiratory Distress', action: 'Increased work of breathing but good appearance. Primary respiratory problem. Administer O2, bronchodilators, positioning.', color: 'yellow' }; if (a === 1 && b === 1 && c === 0) return { risk: 'Respiratory Failure', tier: 'Respiratory Failure', action: 'Abnormal appearance + increased WOB = decompensating. Prepare for intervention. BVM, advanced airway may be needed.', color: 'red' }; if (a === 1 && b === 0 && c === 1) return { risk: 'Shock', tier: 'Compensated/Decompensated Shock', action: 'Abnormal appearance + poor perfusion. Volume resuscitation. Identify and treat cause of shock.', color: 'red' }; if (a === 1 && b === 0 && c === 0) return { risk: 'CNS/Metabolic', tier: 'CNS or Metabolic Dysfunction', action: 'Abnormal appearance without respiratory or circulatory problem. Consider glucose, sepsis, ingestion, seizure, head injury.', color: 'yellow' }; return { risk: 'Cardiopulmonary Failure', tier: 'Cardiopulmonary Failure', action: 'Multiple abnormal sides. Immediate resuscitation. Activate team.', color: 'red' }; }

PAT is done from the doorway in 30 seconds BEFORE touching the child
TICLS mnemonic for Appearance: Tone, Interactiveness, Consolability, Look/gaze, Speech/cry
An abnormal appearance is the most concerning finding — it indicates the brain is not receiving adequate support

APLS/PEPP: Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals. Last reviewed: 2024-11-01