本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛TORONTO, June 4 /CNW/ - Dr. Bert Lauwers, Associate Deputy Chief Coroner
and Chair, today announced the release of the combined 2008 Report of the
Paediatric Death Review Committee and the Deaths Under Five Committee.
Working under the leadership of the Office of the Chief Coroner for
Ontario, the purpose of the Paediatric Death Review Committee and the Deaths
Under Five Committee is to assist the Office of the Chief Coroner in the
investigation and review of deaths of children and to make recommendations to
help prevent deaths in similar circumstances. Committee members include
coroners, medical and child welfare experts, police, Crown attorneys and
pathologists.
The 2008 report contains data from deaths reviewed in 2007. In 2007, the
Paediatric Death Review Committee examined the circumstances surrounding the
deaths of 91 children between the ages of 0 and 18 years. The Deaths Under
Five Committee reviewed 117 deaths. The purpose of the reviews is to
objectively analyze the circumstances leading up to, and surrounding the
deaths and to develop recommendations aimed at preventing deaths in similar
circumstances. The review does not assign blame or responsibility. Most of the
recommendations suggested by the committees through the reviews are focused on
promoting best practices within the child welfare and medical systems, and
educating the public on child safety measures.
The results noted in the 2008 report are consistent with those of
previous years, which have shown that the most vulnerable ages for paediatric
deaths are for infants under 12 months and children aged 12 to 18 years. The
involvement of a Children's Aid Society did not appear to be a factor in the
majority of child deaths. In cases where there was involvement by a Children's
Aid Society, most deaths could not have been foreseen or prevented by the
agency.
Upon review of the cases presented to the Paediatric Death Review
Committee and Deaths Under Five Committee, common themes for the prevention of
similar deaths emerged. The following themes identified in the 2008 report are
consistent with the findings of previous years and should be of particular
interest to parents, caregivers, child welfare agencies, health-care
professionals and government ministries:

<<
1. Unsafe sleeping environments - Infants should sleep alone and on a
surface specifically designed for infant sleep. The Paediatric Death
Review Committee stresses the importance of not bed-sharing,
particularly with infants under the age of 12 months. Examples of
unsafe sleeping environments include: adult beds, couches, armchairs
and infant swings. The sleeping environment should not contain bumper
pads, toys, pillows or covers designed for adults.

2. Sleeping positions - Infants should be placed on their backs on a firm
mattress in a crib when put down to sleep.

3. Bathtub safety - In an ongoing effort to prevent bathtub drownings, it
is recommended that infants and toddlers have constant and
uninterrupted supervision while bathing. While the use of bathtub
seats and rings may provide parents and caregivers with a greater
sense of security, these devices do not replace the need for constant
supervision. Children should never be left unattended in a bathtub for
any period of time.

4. Adolescent suicide - There is a continuing and concerning trend of
adolescent suicide in the province. Recommendations have been made
towards providing additional research, support, funding and services
to address the recurring issues facing young people who lack the hope
and resources necessary to meet their social and mental health needs.
>>

"We believe the recommendations suggested through the case reviews and
noted within the 2008 report are extremely important towards improving safety
and reducing the number of preventable deaths of children within our
province," said Dr. Lauwers.
The 2008 Report of the Paediatric Death Review Committee and the Deaths
Under Five Committee is being released today at a conference hosted by the
Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies and Children's Mental Health
Ontario. The report is available online at: www.oacas.org and www.ontca.ca.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net