Pediatric Emergency Medicine Legal Expert

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

My name is Ashley Saucier and I hold active board certifications in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. I have over 15 years experience working as a pediatric emergency medicine physician, treating over 50,000 patients and working at 2 different pediatric trauma centers over that time. I have worked at pediatric academic centers throughout my career, teaching over 100 residents in the fields of emergency medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine. I have extensive experience in pediatric emergency medicine and pediatric trauma. My expertise includes, but is not limited to pediatric trauma, abuse, injuries, common childhood illnesses, seizures, and chronic diseases. A typical shift involves treating between 15-25 patients, depending on acuity and presenting problem. Pediatric Emergency Medicine specialists are required to be proficient in all all pediatric subspecialties, trauma, pediatric surgical presentations, and general pediatrics. Medical presentations may include: fever, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, rash, trouble breathing, cough, nasal congestion, seizures, pain, mental/behavioral health concerns. Surgical/trauma presentations may include: broken bones, car accidents, all-terrain vehicle accidents, falls, gunshot wounds, blunt force trauma, penetrating trauma. Care of each patient includes: 1. An initial assessment, including obtaining a history from the parent, patient or other responsible party presenting with the child. 2. Physical examination of the patient. 3.Formulating a plan based on the history and physical exam obtained. This may include ordering medications, labs, and imaging studies, or calling consultants. 4. Repeat assessments, depending on the acuity of the patient and their response to potential interventions. 5. After a careful analysis of labs, imaging, and/or interventions, a decision must be made regarding the patient’s final disposition. In pediatrics, this occurs as a shared decision-making process with the parents or guardians to assure the best care for the child. Throughout the time of caring for each patient, additional patients are assessed in a timely manner. The careful balance of multiple patients requires excellent time management and attention to detail. Patients who are critical on arrival to the emergency department require more interventions rapidly. Patients arriving marked abnormalities in breathing, circulation, and neurologic status receive immediate attention from the physician as well as several members of the nursing staff. These patients take priority over the more stable patients in the emergency department. Based on my expertise in pediatric emergency medicine, I am able to work with legal teams to provide reviews and consultation for both plaintiffs and defendants in civil and criminal cases in an objective and thorough manner. Actively Board Certified, Pediatrics Actively Board Certified, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Masters in Healthcare Administration Fellow, American College of Emergency Physicians Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics Board Member, Louisiana American College of Emergency Physicians