Richard J. Scarfone, MD

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Richard J Scarfone, MD, FAAP, is a CHOP pediatric emergency medicine physician at the Main Hospital and Virtua Voorhees. He is the Medical Director of Emergency Preparedness for the Division of Emergency Medicine and Co- Director of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr Scarfone is the co-leader of the education curriculum pillar of the Center for Diagnostic Excellence.

Areas of Expertise: Resident and fellow education with a focus on cognitive psychology in medical decision making
Locations: Main Hospital; CHOP at Virtua Voorhees Hospital
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Buffalo School of Medicine, Buffalo, NY

Residency

Pediatrics - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Fellowship

Pediatric Emergency Medicine - Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Board Certification

Pediatric Emergency Medicine – American Board of Pediatrics
Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics

Titles and Academic Titles

Medical Director, Emergency Preparedness, Division of Emergency Medicine

Co-Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program

Co-Leader, Education Pillar, Center for Diagnostic Excellence

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2021

Scarfone RJ, Nagler, J. Cognitive Errors in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021;37(2):96-103. DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002342. 2021;37(8):397-402.

Gala PK, Scarfone RJ, Murray A, Balamuth F. Eliminating Lumbar Puncture for Low-Risk Febrile Infants: A Quality Improvement Initiative. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021;37(8):397-402. DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002494.

Sampayo EM, Agrawal P, Mittiga MR, Klasner A, Kim I, Scarfone RJ, Chang TP. Understanding graduating pediatric emergency medicine fellow priorities for career pathways and faculty recruitment for academic or community emergency departments. AEM Education and Training 2021;5(1):12-18.

2018

Abaya R, Delgado EM, Scarfone RJ, Reardon AM, Rodio B, Simpkins D, Mehta V, Hayes K, Zorc JJ. Improving efficiency of pediatric emergency asthma treatment by using metered dose inhaler. Journal of Asthma 2018;56(10),1079-1086 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2018.1514629

2017

Scarfone RJ, Murray A, Gala P, Balamuth F. Lumbar puncture for all febrile infants 29-56 days old: a retrospective cohort reassessment study. J Peds 2017;187:200-205.

Paras E, Butler M, Maguire BF, Scarfone, RJ. Emergency preparedness for a mass gathering: the 2015 papal visit to Philadelphia. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:267-276

2015

Marchese RF, Mistry RD, Scarfone RJ, Chen AE. Identification of optic disk elevation and the crescent sign using point-of-care ultrasound in children. Pediatr Emerg Care 2015;31:304-307.

2012

Fieldston, ES, Scarfone RJ, Biggs LM, Coffin S Zorc, JJ. Pediatric Integrated Delivery System’s Experience With Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1). Am J Manag Care. 2012;18(10):635-644.

2011

Scarfone RJ, Coffin S, Fieldston ES, et al. Hospital-based pandemic influenza preparedness and response: strategies to increase surge capacity. Pediatric Emerg Care, 2011;6:565-572.

Upham BD, Mollen CJ, Scarfone RJ, Seiden J, Chew A, Zorc JJ. Nebulized budesonide added to standard pediatric emergency department treatment of acute asthma: a randomized, double-blind trial. Acad Emerg Med. 2011;18(7):665-73.

Scarfone RJ, Coffin S, Fieldston ES, et al. Hospital-based pandemic influenza preparedness and response: strategies to increase surge capacity. Pediatric Emerg Care, 2011;565-572.

Books

Fleisher and Ludwig’s 5-Minute Pediatric Emergency Medicine Consult. Hoffman RJ, Wang VJ, and Scarfone RJ (eds). 1st ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2012.

Chapters

2020

Scarfone RJ, Cho C. Ill-appearing infants (younger than 90 days of age): Causes. In: UpToDate, Post, TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2020.

2019

Scarfone RJ. Asthma. In Hoffman RJ, Wang VJ, Scarfone RJ, Godambe SA, Nagler J (eds). Fleisher and Ludwig’s 5-Minute Pediatric Emergency Medicine Consult. 2nd ed.,Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia, 2019, 56-57.

2018

Scarfone RJ. Wheezing in infants and children. In Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine Manual, 8th edition, McGraw-Hill Education, 2018, 379-384.

2017

Scarfone RJ, Seiden JA. Pediatric respiratory emergencies: lower airway obstruction. In Marx JA (ed), Rosen’s Emergency Medicine Concepts and Clinical Practice, 9th ed., Mosby Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2017, pp.2081-2086.

2016

Scarfone RJ, Chen AC. Pain: Joints. In Shaw KN, Bachur RG (eds), Fleisher and Ludwig Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 7th ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2016, pp. 377-382.

Scarfone RJ, Madsen JM, Cieslak TJ, Henretig FH, Eitzen EM. Biological and chemical terrorism. In Shaw KN, Bachur RG (eds), Fleisher and Ludwig Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 7th ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2016, Chapter 136.

Scarfone RJ, Gala PK, Funari MK. Fever in infants. In Shaw KN, Bachur RG (eds), Fleisher and Ludwig Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 7th ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2016, pp. 585-588.

2013

Scarfone RJ, Seiden JA: Pediatric respiratory emergencies: lower airway obstruction. In Marx JA (ed), Rosen’s Emergency Medicine Concepts and Clinical Practice, 8th ed., Mosby Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2013, pp.2117-2128.

2012

Chao D, Scarfone RJ: Depression. In Hoffman RJ, Wang VJ, and Scarfone RJ (eds). Fleisher and Ludwig’s 5-Minute Pediatric Emergency Medicine Consult. 1st ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2012, 242-243.

Chao D, Scarfone RJ: Psychosis. In Hoffman RJ, Wang VJ, and Scarfone RJ (eds). Fleisher and Ludwig’s 5-Minute Pediatric Emergency Medicine Consult. 1st ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2012, 782-783.

2010

Scarfone RJ. Cardioversion and defibrillation. In: UpToDate, Rose, BD (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2010.

Scarfone RJ, Seiden JA: Pediatric respiratory emergencies: lower airway obstruction. In Marx JA (ed), Rosen’s Emergency Medicine Concepts and Clinical Practice, 7th ed., Mosby Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2010, pp.2115-2126.

Scarfone RJ: Pain-Joints. In Fleisher GR, Ludwig S (eds), Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 6th ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2010, pp. 468-473.

Scarfone RJ: Emergency department recognition and management of victims of biological and chemical terrorism. In Fleisher GR, Ludwig S (eds), Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 6th ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2010, pp. 125-152.

2008

Scarfone RJ: Airway adjuncts, oxygen delivery, and suctioning the upper airway. In Henretig FM, King CC (eds), Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Procedures, 2nd ed., Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2008, pp. 93-108.

Scarfone RJ: Cardioversion and defibrillation. In Henretig FM, King CC (eds), Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Procedures, 2nd ed., Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2008, pp. 300-311.

Scarfone RJ: Sedation and analgesia. In Selbst SM, Cronan K (eds), Pediatric Emergency Medicine Secrets, 2nd ed., Hanley and Belfus, Philadelphia, 2008, pp. 607-615.

2007

Scarfone RJ, Cho C. The septic appearing infant. In: UpToDate, Rose, BD (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2007.

2006

Scarfone RJ: Joint pain. In Fleisher GR, Ludwig S (eds), Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 5th ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2006, pp. 519-523.

Scarfone RJ: Leg pain. In Pohl CA (ed), Pediatrics On Call, Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, New York, 2006, pp. 271-276.

Scarfone RJ: Vomiting. In Pohl CA (ed), Pediatrics On Call, Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, New York, 2006, pp. 435-441.

Scarfone RJ. Management of acute asthma exacerbations in children. In: UpToDate, Rose, BD (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2006.

2004

Scarfone RJ: Intussusception and lethargy. In Baren J, Alpern ER, eds. Emergency Medicine Pearls, Hanley & Belfus, Inc., Philadelphia, 2004, pp.16-18.

Scarfone RJ: Methemoglobinemia and dehydration. Emergency Medicine Pearls, Hanley & Belfus, Inc., Philadelphia, 2004, pp. 46-48.

2002

Scarfone RJ: Joint pain. In Fleisher GR, Ludwig S, Silverman BK (eds), Synopsis of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 4th ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2002, pp.183-187.

2001

Scarfone RJ: Sedation and analgesia. In Selbst SM, Cronan K (eds), Pediatric Emergency Medicine Secrets, 1st ed.,Hanley and Belfus, Philadelphia, 2001, pp. 385-391.

2000

Scarfone RJ: Joint pain in children. In Fleisher GR, Ludwig S (eds), Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 4th ed., Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2000, pp.467-471.

1999

Scarfone RJ, Fuchs SF: Management of acute asthma in children. In Kaliner M, Brenner BE (eds), Clinical Allergy and Immunology: Emergency Asthma, 1st ed., Marcel Dekker, New York 1999, pp. 429-441.

1997

Scarfone RJ: Airway adjuncts, oxygen delivery, and suctioning the upper airway. In Henretig FM, King CC (eds), Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Procedures, 1st ed., Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 1997, pp. 101-118.

Scarfone RJ: Cardioversion and defibrillation. In Henretig FM, King CC (eds), Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Procedures, 1st ed., Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 1997, pp. 313-326.

1994

Scarfone RJ: Chest Pain. In Schidlow DV, Smith DS (eds), A Practical Guide to Pediatric Respiratory Diseases, 1st ed., Hanley and Belfus, Inc., Philadelphia, 1994, pp. 53-60.

Awards and Honors

Victor Vaughn Award for Excellence in Teaching, Awarded by the Pediatric Resident Staff, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
Faculty Teaching Honor Roll, Awarded by the Pediatric Resident Staff, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Teacher of the Year Award, Awarded by the Pediatric Resident Staff, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Editorial and Academic Positions

Academic and Institutional Committees

Emergency Preparedness Committee
Emergency Medicine Executive Committee
ED Febrile Infant QI Committee
ED Asthma QI Committee
ED Influenza QI Committee
Co-chair, Education Pillar, Chair’s Initiative for Center for Diagnostic Excellence
Co-chair, Recruitment and Retention Pillar, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee