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Kodiak T, Quinn M, Zekas L. Current state of home health in children with medical complexity. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 77:180-182. [PMID: 38531175 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home health services are a right for children in the US, but higher survival rates of extremely preterm infants have led to an increase in children with medical complexity (CMC) and therefore an increased demand for home health services. Unfortunately, an adequately trained and compensated workforce to support medially complex children at home does not exist. METHODS After identifying the existing research, common themes were identified. This article was written to give an overview of these themes and highlight specific supporting data. RESULTS A lack of resources in the home health arena and the financial barriers that accompany them, as well as the clear impact this issue has on the health and well-being of families and caregivers, were frequently present in the literature. CONCLUSIONS Reasonable next steps for research and advocacy include a focus on recruitment and retention of home health nurses, as well as training specific to the level of skill required to adequately care for CMC. Further research is needed, as in our search we found several unexplored, unassessed avenues that could help health care professionals understand the problem more fully. These steps are necessary if we want CMC to live the healthiest life available to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Kodiak
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, USA.
| | - Megan Quinn
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, USA
| | - Linda Zekas
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, USA
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Pulcini CD, Luan X, Brooks ES, Hogan A, Penrose T, Kenyon CC, Rubin DM. Pediatric Population Management Classification for Children with Medical Complexity. Popul Health Manag 2024; 27:192-198. [PMID: 38613470 PMCID: PMC11322619 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2023.0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Improving the overall care of children with medical complexity (CMC) is often beset by challenges in proactively identifying the population most in need of clinical management and quality improvement. The objective of the current study was to create a system to better capture longitudinal risk for sustained and elevated utilization across time using real-time electronic health record (EHR) data. A new Pediatric Population Management Classification (PPMC), drawn from visit diagnoses and continuity problem lists within the EHR of a tristate health system, was compared with an existing complex chronic conditions (CCC) system for agreement (with weighted κ) on identifying CCMC, as well as persistence of elevated charges and utilization from 2016 to 2019. Agreement of assignment PPMC was lower among primary care provider (PCP) populations than among other children traversing the health system for specialty or hospital services only (weighted κ 62% for PCP vs. 82% for non-PCP). The PPMC classification scheme, displaying greater precision in identifying CMC with persistently high utilization and charges for those who receive primary care within a large integrated health network, may offer a more pragmatic approach to selecting children with CMC for longitudinal care management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian D. Pulcini
- Department of Emergency Medicine & Pediatrics, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Xianqun Luan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth S. Brooks
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Annique Hogan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tina Penrose
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chen C. Kenyon
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David M. Rubin
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Millar K, Rodd C, Rempel G, Cohen E, Sibley KM, Garland A. The Clinical Definition of Children With Medical Complexity: A Modified Delphi Study. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023064556. [PMID: 38804054 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-064556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Children with medical complexity (CMC) comprise a subgroup of children with severe chronic diseases. A conceptual definition for CMC has been formulated, but there is no agreement on criteria to fulfill each of the 4 proposed domains: diagnostic conditions, functional limitations, health care use, and family-identified needs. Our objective with this study was to identify a standardized definition of CMC. METHODS Through a scoping review of the CMC literature, we identified potential criteria to fulfill each domain. These were incorporated into an electronic survey that was completed by a geographic and professionally varied panel of 81 American and Canadian respondents with expertise in managing CMC (response rate 70%) as part of a 4-iteration Delphi procedure. Respondents were asked to vote for the inclusion of each criterion in the definition, and for those with quantitative components (eg, hospitalization rates), to generate a consensus threshold value for meeting that criterion. The final criteria were analyzed by a committee and collapsed when situations of redundancy arose. RESULTS Of 1411 studies considered, 132 informed 55 criteria for the initial survey, which was presented to 81 respondents. Consensus for inclusion was reached on 48 criteria and for exclusion on 1 criterion. The committee collapsed those 48 criteria into 39 final criteria, 1 for diagnostic conditions, 2 for functional limitations, 13 for health care use, and 23 for family needs. CONCLUSIONS These results represent the first consensus-based, standardized definition of CMC. Standardized identification is needed to advance understanding of their epidemiology and outcomes, as well as to rigorously study treatment strategies and care models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eyal Cohen
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Allan Garland
- Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Gerber DM, Coller RJ. Standardizing Medical Complexity: Fruitful, Formidable, or Futile? Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023065014. [PMID: 38804060 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-065014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Gerber
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ryan J Coller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
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Sidra M, Sebastianski M, Ohinmaa A, Rahman S. Reported costs of children with medical complexity-A systematic review. J Child Health Care 2024; 28:377-401. [PMID: 35751147 DOI: 10.1177/13674935221109683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Examining reported costs for Children with Medical Complexity (CMCs) is essential because costing and resource utilization studies influence policy and operational decisions. Our objectives were to (1) examine how authors identified CMCs in administrative databases, (2) compare reported costs for the CMC population in different study settings, and (3) analyze author recommendations related to reported costs. We undertook a systematic search of the following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica dataBase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library with a focus on CMCs as a heterogeneous group. The most common method used n = 11 (41%) to identify the CMC population in administrative data was the Complex Chronic Conditions methodology. The majority of included studies reported on health care service costs n = 24 (89%). Only n = 3 (11%) of the studies included costs from the family perspective. Author recommendations included standardizing how costs are reported and including the family perspective when making care delivery or policy decisions. Health system administrators and policymakers must consider the limitations of reported costs when assessing local costing studies or comparing costs across jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sidra
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Meghan Sebastianski
- Alberta Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Knowledge Synthesis Platform, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Arto Ohinmaa
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sholeh Rahman
- Alberta Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Knowledge Synthesis Platform, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Harvey AR, Meehan E, Merrick N, D'Aprano AL, Cox GR, Williams K, Gibb SM, Mountford NJ, Connell TG, Cohen E. Comprehensive care programmes for children with medical complexity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 5:CD013329. [PMID: 38813833 PMCID: PMC11137836 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013329.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with medical complexity (CMC) represent a small, but growing, proportion of all children. Regardless of their underlying diagnosis, by definition, all CMC have similar functional limitations and high healthcare needs. It has been suggested that improving aspects of healthcare delivery for CMC improves health- and quality of life-related outcomes for children and their families and reduces healthcare-related expenditure. As a result, dedicated comprehensive care programmes have been established at many hospitals to meet the needs of CMC; however, it is unclear if such programmes are effective. OBJECTIVES Our main objective was to assess the effectiveness of comprehensive care programmes that aim to improve care coordination and other aspects of health care for CMC and to assess whether the effectiveness of such programmes differs according to the programme setting and structure. We aimed to assess their effectiveness in relation to child and parent health, functioning, and quality of life, quality of care, number of healthcare encounters, unmet healthcare needs, and total healthcare-related costs. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL in May 2023. We also searched reference lists, trial registries, and the grey literature. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and non-randomised trials, controlled before-after studies, and interrupted time series studies were included. Studies that compared enrolment in a comprehensive care programme with non-enrolment in such a programme/treatment as usual were included. Participants were children that met the criteria for the definition of CMC, which is: having (i) a chronic condition, (ii) functional limitations, (iii) increased health and other service needs, and (iv) increased healthcare costs. Studies that included the following types of outcomes were included: health; quality of care; utilisation, coverage and access; resource use and costs; equity; and adverse outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data, assessed the risk of bias in each included study, and evaluated the certainty of evidence according to GRADE criteria. Where possible, data were represented in forest plots and pooled. We were unable to undertake a meta-analysis for comparisons and outcomes, so we used a structured synthesis approach. MAIN RESULTS We included four studies with a total of 912 CMC as participants. All included studies were randomised controlled trials conducted in hospitals in the USA or Canada. Participants varied across the included studies; however, all four studies included children with complex and chronic illness and high healthcare needs. While the primary aim of the intervention was similar across all four studies, the components of the interventions differed: in the four studies, the intervention involved some element of care coordination; in two of the studies, it involved the child receiving care from a multidisciplinary team, while in one study, the intervention was primarily centred on access to an advanced practice nurse care coordinator and another study involved nurse a practitioner-paediatrician dyad partnering with families. The risk of bias in the four studies varied across domains, with issues primarily relating to the lack of blinding of participants, personnel, and outcome assessors, inadequate allocation concealment, and incomplete outcome data. Comprehensive care for CMC compared to usual care may make little to no difference to child health, functioning, and quality of life at 12 or 24 months (three studies with 404 participants) and we assessed the evidence for the outcomes in this category (child health-related quality of life and functional status) as being of low certainty. For CMC, comprehensive care probably makes little or no difference to parent health, functioning, and quality of life compared to usual care at 12 months (one study with 117 participants) and we assessed the evidence for this outcome as being of moderate certainty. Comprehensive care for CMC compared to usual care may slightly improve child and family satisfaction with, and perceptions of, care and service delivery at 12 months (three studies with 453 participants); however, we assessed the evidence for these outcomes as being of low certainty. For CMC, comprehensive care probably makes little or no difference to the number of healthcare encounters (emergency department visits) and the number of hospitalised days (hospital admissions) compared to usual care at 12 months (three studies with 668 participants), and we assessed the evidence for these outcomes as being of moderate certainty. Three of the included studies (668 participants) reported cost outcomes and had conflicting results, with one study reporting significantly lower healthcare costs at 12 months in the intervention group compared to the control group, one reporting no differences between groups, and the other study reporting a greater increase in total healthcare costs in the intervention group compared to the control group. Overall, comprehensive care may make little or no difference to overall healthcare costs in CMC; however, the methods used to measure total healthcare costs varied across studies and the certainty of the evidence relating to this outcome is low. No studies assessed the costs to the family. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The findings of this review should be treated with caution due to the limited amount and quality of the published research that was available to be included. Overall, the certainty of the evidence for the effectiveness of comprehensive care for CMC ranged from low to moderate across outcomes and there is currently insufficient evidence on which to draw strong conclusions. There is a need for more high-quality randomised trials with consistency of the target population and intervention components, methods of reporting outcomes, and follow-up periods, as well as full cost analyses, taking into account both costs to the family and costs to the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne R Harvey
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elaine Meehan
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicole Merrick
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anita L D'Aprano
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Georgina R Cox
- Neurodevelopment and Disability, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katrina Williams
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan M Gibb
- Neurodevelopment and Disability, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicki J Mountford
- Complex Care Hub, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tom G Connell
- General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eyal Cohen
- Paediatrics and Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Gray SH. Managing menstruation for medically complex paediatric patients. Arch Dis Child 2024:archdischild-2024-326968. [PMID: 38811058 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2024-326968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Physicians who care for children and adolescents need evidence-based information about how to manage menses for medically complicated patients. The use of many hormonal medications for menstrual management is considered 'off-label' because many of these medications have indications only for contraception. A growing body of evidence supports the use of particular medications or strategies for a wide variety of medical conditions, but this information has been slow to reach all paediatric patients, perhaps in part because of the off-label nature of prescribing. Specialists skilled in hormone management are in short supply and often not immediately available for consultation, and they may also be inexperienced prescribing for medically complex paediatric patients. Misconceptions about the necessity of menstruation or concerns regarding use of contraceptives in young patients may also limit the use of medically indicated off-label hormonal regimens. This review will outline current patient-centred strategies to inform physicians' choices about when and how to intervene medically to improve quality of life for medically complex girls with problematic periods-whether by making periods more predictable, preventing ovulation, reducing pain or eliminating menses altogether.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan H Gray
- Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA
- Teen and Young Adult Health Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Harris KW, Ray KN, Yu J. Family Caregivers of Children With Medical Complexity: Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life and Experiences of Care Coordination. Acad Pediatr 2024; 24:605-612. [PMID: 38061581 PMCID: PMC11056298 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the longitudinal association between family experiences of care coordination (FECC) and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) for family caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC). METHODS A longitudinal survey of family caregivers of CMC was completed between July 2018 and June 2020. Baseline data were collected at initial contact with a regional complex care center; follow-up data were collected 12 to 16 months later. Assessed receipt of care coordination and caregiver HR-QOL via FECC questionnaire and Center for Disease Control's HR-QOL-14 measure, respectively. Baseline and follow-up results were compared via McNemar's and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Relationships between changes in FECC and changes in HR-QOL were examined using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Of 185 eligible, 136 caregivers enrolled and completed baseline surveys (74%) and 103 (76% initial sample) follow-up surveys. Caregivers reported significant improvements in 8 of 9 FECC measures after 1 year of care within a complex care center (all P < .05). In contrast, caregiver HR-QOL (general health status, unhealthy days, symptom days) remained stable over the study period (all P > .05) except for monthly days of poor sleep (baseline vs follow-up median; 16 vs 15 [P = .05]). At both timepoints, >20% participants rated their general health status as fair-to-poor, and >50% reported frequent poor sleep and fatigue. No significant associations were observed between changes in FECC and changes in HR-QOL. CONCLUSIONS After receiving 1 year of care through a complex care center, CMC family caregivers report improvement in care coordination but not in HR-QOL. Caregivers' continued mentally unhealthy days and negative mental symptom days highlight the need for a directed intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly W Harris
- Division of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care (KW Harris and J Yu), Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pa.
| | - Kristin N Ray
- Division of General Academic Pediatrics (KN Ray), Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pa.
| | - Justin Yu
- Division of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care (KW Harris and J Yu), Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Hodgson S, Noack K, Griffiths A, Hodgins M. Between equilibrium and chaos, with little restitution: a narrative analysis of qualitative interviews with clinicians and parent carers of children with medical complexity. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:504. [PMID: 38654202 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10973-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with medical complexity (CMC) comprise 1% of the paediatric population, but account for over 30% of health service costs. Lack of healthcare integration and coordination for CMC is well-documented. To address this, a deep understanding of local contextual factors, experiences, and family-identified needs is crucial. The aim of this research was to investigate the lived experiences of CMC, their families, and healthcare staff, focusing on understanding the dynamics of care coordination and the challenges faced in providing integrated care, in order to inform the development of effective, family-centred models of care. METHODS In April to July 2022, 31 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents/guardians of CMC and healthcare professionals who care for CMC. Interviews explored complex paediatric care and care coordination barriers. An inductive thematic analysis was undertaken. Themes were then further explored using Frank's narrative approach. RESULTS Through analysis, we identified that the restitution typology was absent from both staff and parent/guardian narratives. However, we uncovered narratives reflective of the chaos and quest typologies, depicting overwhelming challenges in managing complex medical needs, and proactive efforts to overcome barriers. Importantly, a novel typology termed 'equilibrium' was uncovered. Narratives aligning with this typology described medical complexity as a balance of power and a negotiation of roles. Within the equilibrium typology, illness trajectory was described as a series of negotiations or balancing acts between healthcare stakeholders, before finally reaching equilibrium. Participants described seeking a balance, where their expertise is respected, whilst maintaining the ability to rely on professional guidance and support. These insights provide a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted narratives shaping care experiences for CMC and their families. CONCLUSIONS Our research delineates multifaceted challenges within the care landscape for CMC, their families, and healthcare staff. Embracing the equilibrium narrative typology highlights the criticality of tailored, integrated care models. This necessitates prioritising clear role delineation and communication among caregivers, implementing support systems addressing the challenges of continuous caregiving, and integrating parents/guardians as essential members of the care team. These insights advocate for pragmatic and sustainable strategies to address the unique needs of CMC and their families within healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kirsten Noack
- Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia
| | | | - Michael Hodgins
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Glick AF, Yin HS, Silva B, Modi AC, Huynh V, Goodwin EJ, Farkas JS, Turock JS, Famiglietti HS, Dickson VV. Pediatrician perspectives on barriers and facilitators to discharge instruction comprehension and adherence for parents of children with medical complexity. J Hosp Med 2024; 19:278-286. [PMID: 38445808 PMCID: PMC10987266 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High rates of posthospitalization errors are observed in children with medical complexity (CMC). Poor parent comprehension of and adherence to complex discharge instructions can contribute to errors. Pediatrician views on common barriers and facilitators to parent comprehension and adherence are understudied. OBJECTIVE To examine pediatrician perspectives on barriers and facilitators experienced by parents in comprehension of and adherence to inpatient discharge instructions for CMC. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a qualitative, descriptive study of attending pediatricians (n = 20) caring for CMC in inpatient settings (United States and Canada) and belonging to listservs for pediatric hospitalists/complex care providers. We used purposive/maximum variation sampling to ensure heterogeneity (e.g., hospital, region). MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES A multidisciplinary team designed and piloted a semistructured interview guide with pediatricians who care for CMC. Team members conducted semistructured interviews via phone or video call. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed. We analyzed transcripts using content analysis; codes were derived a priori from a conceptual framework (based on the Pediatric Self-Management Model) and a preliminary transcript analysis. We applied codes and identified emerging themes. RESULTS Pediatricians identified three themes as barriers and facilitators to discharge instruction comprehension and adherence: (1) regimen complexity, (2) access to the healthcare team (e.g., inpatient team, outpatient pediatrician, home nursing) and resources (e.g., medications, medical equipment), and (3) need for a family centered and health literacy-informed approach to discharge planning and education. Next steps include the assessment of parent perspectives on barriers and facilitators to discharge instruction comprehension and adherence for prents of CMC and the development of intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander F. Glick
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - H. Shonna Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin Silva
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Avani C. Modi
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Vincent Huynh
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily J. Goodwin
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Farkas
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Julia S. Turock
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hannah S. Famiglietti
- Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Victoria V. Dickson
- University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York, New York, USA
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11
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Quinn J, Bodenstab HM, Wo E, Parrish RH. Medication Management Through Collaborative Practice for Children With Medical Complexity: A Prospective Case Series. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2024; 29:119-129. [PMID: 38596413 PMCID: PMC11001202 DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-29.2.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Care coordination for children and youth with special health care needs and medical complexity (CYSHCN-CMC), especially medication management, is difficult for providers, parents/caregivers, and -patients. This report describes the creation of a clinical pharmacotherapy practice in a pediatric long-term care facility (pLTCF), application of standard operating procedures to guide comprehensive medication management (CMM), and establishment of a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) to guide drug therapy. METHODS In a prospective case series, 102 patients characterized as CYSHCN-CMC were included in this pLTCF quality improvement project during a 9-month period. RESULTS Pharmacists identified, prevented, or resolved 1355 drug therapy problems (DTP) with an average of 13 interventions per patient. The patients averaged 9.5 complex chronic medical conditions with a -median length of stay of 2815 days (7.7 years). The most common medications discontinued due to pharmacist assessment and recommendation included diphenhydramine, albuterol, sodium phosphate enema, ipratropium, and metoclopramide. The average number of medications per patient was reduced from 23 to 20. A pharmacoeconomic analysis of 244 of the interventions revealed a monthly direct cost savings of $44,304 ($434 per patient per month) and monthly cost avoidance of $48,835 ($479 per patient per month). Twenty-eight ED visits/admissions and 61 clinic and urgent care visits were avoided. Hospital -readmissions were reduced by 44%. Pharmacist recommendations had a 98% acceptance rate. CONCLUSIONS Use of a CPA to conduct CMM in CYSHCN-CMC decreased medication burden, resolved, and prevented adverse events, reduced health care-related costs, reduced hospital readmissions and was well-accepted and implemented collaboratively with pLTCF providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jena Quinn
- Perfecting Peds (JQ, HMB, EW), Haddon Heights, NJ
| | - Heather Monk Bodenstab
- Perfecting Peds (JQ, HMB, EW), Haddon Heights, NJ
- Medical Affairs (HMB), Sobi, Waltham, MA
| | - Emily Wo
- Perfecting Peds (JQ, HMB, EW), Haddon Heights, NJ
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Song IG, Kim YS, Kim MS, Lee JW, Cho YM, Lim Y, Kwon SK, Suh DI, Park JD. Healthcare service use and medical outcomes of tracheostomy-dependent children: a nationwide study. BMJ Paediatr Open 2024; 8:e002377. [PMID: 38508660 PMCID: PMC10952918 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2023-002377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the rising trend of tracheostomies in children, there is a lack of comprehensive resources for families to navigate the challenges of living with a tracheostomy, emphasising the need for evidence-based support in understanding postoperative care and long-term adjustments. This study aimed to examine the pattern of using healthcare services and nationwide medical outcomes in children who underwent a tracheotomy before the age of 2 years. METHODS This retrospective study used the National Health Insurance System database from 2008 to 2016 and included all children codified with tracheotomy procedure codes before their second birthday. Healthcare utilisation, such as medical costs, number of hospital visits, home healthcare nursing and medical diagnoses on readmission, in the first 2 years after tracheotomy was evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors affecting mortality. RESULTS In total, 813 patients were included in this study. Their use of healthcare services and the accompanying expenses were higher than the national medians for similar age groups; however, both metrics decreased in the second year. The major causes of admission within 2 years of surgery were respiratory and neurological diseases. The mortality rate within 2 years was 37.8%. Higher risks of mortality were associated with having two or more complex chronic conditions. Use of home healthcare nursing services was associated with a lower mortality risk. CONCLUSION Paediatric patients with more complex chronic conditions tended to have higher mortality rates within 2 years after surgery. However, receiving home healthcare nursing was significantly associated with a reduced risk of death. Many causes of hospitalisation may be preventable with education and supportive care. Therefore, further research for establishing an integrated care system for these patients and their caregivers is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Gyu Song
- Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemun-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - You Sun Kim
- Department of Paediatrics, National Medical Center, Jung, Korea (the Republic of)
- Department of Paediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Min Sun Kim
- Department of Paediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
- Seoul National University Children's Hospital Integrated Care Center, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Ji Weon Lee
- Seoul National University Children's Hospital Integrated Care Center, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Yoon-Min Cho
- National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Youna Lim
- Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Seong Keun Kwon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Dong In Suh
- Department of Paediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - June Dong Park
- Department of Paediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
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Akgun-Dogan O, Tuc Bengur E, Ay B, Ozkose GS, Kar E, Bengur FB, Bulut AS, Yigit A, Aydin E, Esen FN, Ozdemir O, Yesilyurt A, Alanay Y. Impact of deep phenotyping: high diagnostic yield in a diverse pediatric population of 172 patients through clinical whole-genome sequencing at a single center. Front Genet 2024; 15:1347474. [PMID: 38560291 PMCID: PMC10978702 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1347474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Pediatric patients with undiagnosed conditions, particularly those suspected of having Mendelian genetic disorders, pose a significant challenge in healthcare. This study investigates the diagnostic yield of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in a pediatric cohort with diverse phenotypes, particularly focusing on the role of clinical expertise in interpreting WGS results. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Acibadem University's Maslak Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, involving pediatric patients (0-18 years) who underwent diagnostic WGS testing. Clinical assessments, family histories, and previous laboratory and imaging studies were analyzed. Variants were classified and interpreted in conjunction with clinical findings. Results: The cohort comprised 172 pediatric patients, aged 0-5 years (62.8%). International patients (28.5%) were from 20 different countries. WGS was used as a first-tier approach in 61.6% of patients. The diagnostic yield of WGS reached 61.0%, enhanced by reclassification of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) through reverse phenotyping by an experienced clinical geneticist. Consanguinity was 18.6% of the overall cohort. Dual diagnoses were carried out for 8.5% of solved patients. Discussion: Our study particularly advocates for the selection of WGS as a first-tier testing approach in infants and children with rare diseases, who were under 5 years of age, thereby potentially shortening the duration of the diagnostic odyssey. The results also emphasize the critical role of a single clinical geneticist's expertise in deep phenotyping and reverse phenotyping, which contributed significantly to the high diagnostic yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Akgun-Dogan
- Division of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Application and Research Center (ACURARE), Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Genome Studies, Health Sciences Institute, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ecenur Tuc Bengur
- Division of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Beril Ay
- School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Gulsah Sebnem Ozkose
- Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Application and Research Center (ACURARE), Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Genome Studies, Health Sciences Institute, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Emre Kar
- School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Aybike S. Bulut
- Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Application and Research Center (ACURARE), Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Genome Studies, Health Sciences Institute, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ayca Yigit
- Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Application and Research Center (ACURARE), Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Genome Studies, Health Sciences Institute, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Eylul Aydin
- Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Application and Research Center (ACURARE), Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Genome Studies, Health Sciences Institute, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Ozkan Ozdemir
- Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Application and Research Center (ACURARE), Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Division of Medical Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Yasemin Alanay
- Division of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs Application and Research Center (ACURARE), Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Genome Studies, Health Sciences Institute, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Türkiye
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14
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Flasch EA. Health Equity and Children With Medical Complexity/Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs: A Scoping Review. J Pediatr Health Care 2024; 38:210-218. [PMID: 38429032 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
A scoping review was conducted to systematically map the research on children with medical complexity and children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) surrounding health equity. Fifteen articles were reviewed with focus on: access to care, quality of life and well-being, and insurance challenges/financing. Findings suggest CYSHCN require more and different types of services than those for typically developing children and youth, yet the current system is not ensuring access to these services. It is important to understand the unique perspectives, challenges, and opportunities of and for this population to better inform policy, research, and practice.
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15
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DeForest PK. Navigating Difficult Conversations in Caring for Children with Medical Complexity. Pediatr Ann 2024; 53:e99-e103. [PMID: 38466332 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20240109-04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Pediatricians are faced with a multitude of difficult tasks each day for a variety of age groups. Providing medical care and support to children with medical complexity and their families adds additional challenges, including management of polypharmacy, therapies, complications, and difficult conversations. The relationship a family has with their pediatrician is extremely special and valuable. As such, pediatricians may find themselves guiding parents through decision-making without the proper training or tools. They may struggle with navigating the conversations to assist families in reaching a helpful conclusion. This article reviews three difficult situations that families of children with medical complexity may face and three different readily available and valuable frameworks to assist with navigating those difficult conversations. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(3):e99-e103.].
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16
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Sasaki K, Wakimizu R. Development and validation of a Japanese version of The Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale-Parent Form (JQDTS-PF): A cross-sectional observational study. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 75:133-139. [PMID: 38157784 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in medical care have enabled home treatment and advanced medical care for children with chronic illnesses. Nurses are not only required to teach their caregivers skills but also understand the families' needs and identify their anxieties in discharge teaching. However, no measure is currently available in Japan to evaluate the quality of discharge teaching provided by nurses. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale Parent-Form (JQDTS-PF) developed by Weiss et al. METHODS: A Japanese version of the scale was created after obtaining permission from the original author. The questionnaire was then distributed to caregivers of children discharged from hospitals in Japan who required some form of medical care after discharge. FINDINGS The study population comprised 113 respondents (response rate: 93.3%). The reliability of the scale was 0.88 for "need," 0.86 for "receive," and 0.93 for "delivery." Significant positive correlations were found between the JQDTS-PF subscale and the Japanese version of Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (JRHDS-PF). Significant correlations were also found between child and family characteristics and subscales of the JQDTS-PF. DISCUSSION The developed Japanese version of the scale was found to be sufficiently reliable. Validity of the scale was also sufficiently confirmed by correlation analysis, which yielded results similar to those of previous studies. APPLICATION TO PRACTICE This scale would be useful in improving and evaluating the quality of discharge teaching by nurses in Japan in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Sasaki
- Department of Child Health and Development Nursing, Doctoral Program in Nursing Science, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba-city 305-8575, Japan.
| | - Rie Wakimizu
- Department of Child Health and Development Nursing, Division of Health Innovation and Nursing, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba-city 305-8575, Japan.
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17
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Gleason E, Malik K, Sannar E, Kamara D, Serrano V, Augustyn M. Challenging Case: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Demystifying Chronic Sleep Impairment in an Infant with a Complex Medical and Behavioral Profile. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2024; 45:e176-e179. [PMID: 38290114 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000001251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
CASE X is a 22-month-old White male infant with a complex medical history, including diagnoses of FBXO11 mutation, hypotonia, restrictive lung disease and mild intermittent asthma, laryngotracheomalacia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), feeding difficulties with a history of aspiration, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and developmental delays. X's medical presentation has resulted in multiple prior medical admissions for respiratory failure due to acute illnesses, procedures and treatments including gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tube dependence, supraglottoplasty to reshape tissues of the upper larynx, and the use of biphasic positive airway pressure (BiPAP) at night and room air during the day when he is at baseline. In addition, he has nocturnal events characterized by significant agitation, screaming, crying, body stiffening and limb movements with pauses in breathing, mouth breathing, restless sleep, and difficulty waking in the morning with concomitant daytime fatigue despite above treatments for OSA. There is no history of congenital heart disease or sudden unexplained death. Family history is noncontributory because parents are negative for the FBXO11 variant.X's sleep disruption has led to significant sleep deficits for both X and his caregivers, who spend much of the night strategizing on how to console him. X has undergone several sleep studies, starting when X was aged 4 months, at several children's hospitals across the nation to determine the cause of his chronic sleep disturbance, which yielded limited information and treatment success. As an infant, X received a medical workup and was subsequently treated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for reflux. At 12 months, he was diagnosed with disordered sleep with myoclonic jerks and started on melatonin and gabapentin for involuntary movements. At 13 months, gabapentin was weaned back because of intolerance, and at 15 months, nortriptyline and clonidine were started because of worsening symptoms to target potential neuropathic pain. While most of his symptoms were at night, he had occasional daytime screaming episodes, particularly when experiencing illness. Gabapentin and clonidine were stopped because nortriptyline seemed most effective.At 17 months, the results from a sleep study led to a diagnosis of night terrors, and several clinicians agreed that X's sleep disruption was behavioral in nature. At this time, an infant mental health consultant met with a sleep psychologist on the family's behalf to support family in considering systematic desensitization therapy to increase tolerance to wearing his BiPAP mask, as well as other behavioral and sleep hygiene strategies, which were tried on several occasions and again, resulted in limited improvement in functioning.At 19 months, X's multidisciplinary team reconsidered a night terror diagnosis after a failed trial of clonazepam and pursued a differential diagnosis of periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). X trialed gabapentin again, but this time only a nighttime dose, per sleep medicine and psychiatry recommendation. While this brought some temporary relief from nighttime distress, despite increasing to the highest dose for age and weight (15 mg/kg/dose), this became less effective, and he was weaned off at 22 months. He had been on iron supplementation since age 6 months and received an iron infusion at 22 months because of persistently low ferritin levels and PLMD in sleep.At 24 months, X was briefly trialed on levetiracetam. While no evidence for seizures on EEG was present, this medication was chosen for involuntary movements and genetic risk for seizures. However, this medication was not useful. At 25 months, an evaluation with a movement disorder physiatrist resulted in a diagnosis of nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia, and he was started on baclofen, which has provided some, but not complete relief to nighttime symptoms. Parents are reporting he has more "good nights" than "bad nights," but "bad nights" come in stretches of a few days in length with no known trigger or relief.Most recently, X was evaluated by general genetics. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was pursued which revealed a pathogenic de novo variant in FBXO11 and provides a likely cause for his neurodevelopmental phenotype. However, he has some features not explained by FBX011; thus, reanalysis of his WES was performed and revealed a de novo variant of uncertain significance in RAF1. Because pathogenic variants in RAF1 have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and Noonan spectrum disorder, it was recommended that X be followed periodically in a cardiac genetics clinic. Family is well connected into the FBXO11 community, including supportive Facebook groups. Parents have shared that they do not feel X's breathing issues and pain fit with the phenotype of other children with FBXO11 mutations.X is also enrolled in a medical child care program to facilitate development and social-emotional functioning and receives learning, speech, occupational, physical, and feeding therapy while in attendance. Despite periods of absence due to contracting numerous viral illnesses over the past several months, X continues to make progress across developmental therapies and happily engages when at the program.What additional diagnostic tests and treatment should be considered to better understand X's medical and behavioral presentation? What are the implications of chronic sleep deprivation and stress on the behavior and development of infant with X's profile? What are important psychosocial considerations because it relates to children with medical complexity (CMC), particularly for X and his family to support caregiver, family, and X's quality of life and overall well-being?
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Gleason
- Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Colorado Medicine, Children's Hospital of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Kristina Malik
- Department of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, KidStreet & Special Care Clinic, Children's Hospital of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Elise Sannar
- Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Colorado Medicine, Children's Hospital of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Dana Kamara
- Department of Pediatrics, Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, University of Colorado Medicine, Children's Hospital of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Verenea Serrano
- Psychiatry, University of Colorado Medicine, Children's Hospital of Colorado, Aurora, CO
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18
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Oumarbaeva-Malone Y, Jurgens V, Rush M, Bloom M, Adusei-Baah C, Hall M, Shah N, Bhansali P, Parikh K. Care Models and Discharge Services for Children With Medical Complexity. Hosp Pediatr 2024; 14:102-107. [PMID: 38196385 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Children with medical complexity (CMC) are high health care utilizers prompting hospitals to implement care models focused on this population, yet practices have not been evaluated on a national level. Our objective with this study is to describe the presence and structure of care models and the use of discharge services for CMC admitted to freestanding children's hospitals across the nation. METHODS We distributed an electronic survey to 48 hospitals within the Pediatric Health Information System exploring the availability of care models and discharge services for CMC. Care models were grouped by type and number present at each institution. Discharge services were grouped by low (never, rarely), medium (sometimes), and high (most of the time, always) frequency use. RESULTS Of 48 eligible hospitals, 33 completed the survey (69%). There were no significant differences between responders and non-responders for both hospital and patient characteristics. Most participants identified an outpatient care model (67%), whereas 21% had no dedicated care model for CMC in the inpatient or outpatient setting. High-frequency discharge services included durable medical equipment delivery, medication delivery, and communication with outpatient provider before discharge. Low-frequency discharge services included the use of a structured handoff tool for outpatient communication, personalized access plans, inpatient team follow-up with family after discharge, and the use of discharge checklists. CONCLUSIONS Children's hospitals vary largely in care model structure and discharge services. Future work is needed to evaluate the associations between care models and discharge services for CMC with various health care outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Oumarbaeva-Malone
- Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC
| | - Valerie Jurgens
- Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC
| | - Margaret Rush
- Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC
| | - Miriam Bloom
- Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC
| | - Charity Adusei-Baah
- Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC
| | | | - Neha Shah
- Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC
| | - Priti Bhansali
- Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC
| | - Kavita Parikh
- Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
- The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC
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Welke N, Lagatta J, Leuthner S, Acharya K. Three-Year Post-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Health Care Utilization Among Infants with Congenital Anomalies. J Pediatr 2024; 265:113779. [PMID: 37852433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe 3-year post-neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) health care use among children with congenital anomalies discharged home from a level IV NICU. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review of children with congenital anomalies enrolled in a previous prospective cohort study from 201 to 2020. We assessed hospital readmission rate, number of surgeries, and durable medical equipment (DME) use by type of anomaly. RESULTS Among 166 infants enrolled in the original study, 158 survived to NICU discharge. One-third of the cohort had a genetic anomaly. Six of 158 patients (4%) died before 3 years of age. More than one-half the children were readmitted within the first 2 years of life, and one-third were readmitted in the third year of life. Readmissions were greatest for those with multiple, musculoskeletal, and central nervous system anomalies and lowest for abdominal-wall defects. Approximately one-half the children underwent surgeries, and this proportion remained constant over the 3-year time. Sixty-two percent of patients received DME at discharge, with gastrostomy tubes being the most common. Gastrostomy tubes were still present in 75% of the patients at 3 years of age. CONCLUSION Children with congenital anomalies are at risk for increased health care use during early childhood. Those with multiple anomalies, a genetic syndrome, musculoskeletal, and central nervous system anomalies and those discharged with DME are at greatest risk whereas those with abdominal-wall defects are at lowest risk. Provider awareness, high-quality discharge training, parent psychological support, greater assimilation of families in the NICU, and telehealth may be some strategies to better support these families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Welke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Joanne Lagatta
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Steven Leuthner
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Krishna Acharya
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
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Henderson CM, Boss RD. Establishing Goals of Care in Serious and Complex Pediatric Illness. Pediatr Clin North Am 2024; 71:71-82. [PMID: 37973308 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2023.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of children are living for months and years with serious/complex illness characterized by long-term prognostic uncertainty, intensive interactions with medical systems, functional limitations, and often home medical technologies that shape the child's and family's quality of life. These families face many medical decision points that require intentional and iterative discussions about goals of care. Threats to cohesive goals of care include prognostic uncertainty, diffusion of medical responsibility, individual family context, and blended goals of care. This article offers strategies for addressing each of these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie M Henderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Renee D Boss
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, 200 North Wolfe Street, Suite 2019, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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21
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Corden TE, Bartelt T, Johaningsmeir S, Ehlenbach ML, Coller RJ, Warner GG, Loman E, Steele CA, Granger R, McAtee R, Gordon J. Developing a Sustainable Care Delivery Payment Model for Children With Medical Complexity. Hosp Pediatr 2024; 14:e75-e82. [PMID: 38105673 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Children with medical complexity (CMC) are a small but growing population representing <1% of all children while accounting for >30% of childhood health care expenditure. Complex care is a relatively new discipline that has emerged with goals of improving CMC care, optimizing CMC family function, and reducing health care costs. The provision of care coordination services is a major function of most complex care programs. Unfortunately, most complex care programs struggle to achieve financial sustainability in a predominately fee-for-service environment. The article describes how 2 programs in Wisconsin worked with their state Medicaid payer through a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Health Care Innovation Award to develop a sustainable complex care payment model, and the value the payment model is currently bringing to stakeholders. Key elements of the process included: Developing a relationship between payer and clinicians that allowed for an understanding of each's viewpoint, use of an accepted clinical service model, and an effort to measure cost of care for the service provided supported by time-study methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy E Corden
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | | | - Sarah Johaningsmeir
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Mary L Ehlenbach
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
- American Family Children's Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ryan J Coller
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
- American Family Children's Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Gemma G Warner
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
- American Family Children's Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Emily Loman
- Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Medicaid, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Craig A Steele
- Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Medicaid, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Rebecca Granger
- Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Medicaid, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Rebecca McAtee
- Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Medicaid, Madison, Wisconsin
- Optum, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - John Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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22
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Randolph G, Coleman C, Allshouse C, Plant B, Kuo DZ. Measuring What Matters to Children With Medical Complexity and Their Families. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023063424C. [PMID: 38165239 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-063424c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network to Advance Care for Children with Medical Complexity (CMC CoIIN) was designed with a foundational commitment to partnership with family leaders to codesign and improve systems of care and supports for CMC and their families - this fundamental commitment was essential to the CMC CoIIN's measurement strategy. In this paper, we examine key learnings from partnering with family leaders from interdisciplinary state teams in the CMC CoIIN to identify and define quantitative quality improvement measures to improve care and support for CMC and their families, including quality of life, well-being, and flourishing; unmet health needs; and support systems such as medical home, patient and family engagement, and shared plans of care. Codesigning the CMC CoIIN measurement strategy with family leaders greatly enhanced our measurement approach and provided numerous unique learning opportunities for the CMC CoIIN's project team and state teams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg Randolph
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Benjamin Plant
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dennis Z Kuo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
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23
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Nageswaran S, Dailey-Farley H, Golden SL. Telehealth for Children With Medical Complexity During the COVID Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Exploring Caregiver Experiences. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2024; 63:53-65. [PMID: 37840305 DOI: 10.1177/00099228231204707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Children with medical complexity (CMC) receive care from many clinicians. Our objective is to describe caregivers' experiences about telehealth for CMC. This qualitative study conducted in North Carolina involves semistructured interviews with 23 caregivers of CMC (15 English; 8 Spanish). Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Five themes were identified: (1) telehealth allayed caregivers' fears about their children's exposure to COVID-19 and mitigated the challenges with in-person visits during the pandemic. (2) Telehealth reduced the logistical challenges of in-person visits for CMC, enabled providers to see children in their home environment, and prevented appointment cancelations. (3) System inaccessibility, technical problems, and providers' inability to deliver telehealth were challenges. (4) Inadequate evaluation of the child and caregiver-provider communication were limitations. (5) Caregivers were satisfied with telehealth, found variability in telehealth offering, and wished telehealth continued to remain an option. Telehealth is a viable option for outpatient care delivery for CMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savithri Nageswaran
- Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Heather Dailey-Farley
- Department of Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Chow CP, Hill DA, Dehority W, Greene EA. Understanding the Procedural Skills Needed in Rural Pediatric Practices: A Survey of Rural Pediatric Providers in the State of New Mexico. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION AND CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT 2024; 11:23821205241229772. [PMID: 38327826 PMCID: PMC10848801 DOI: 10.1177/23821205241229772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is little data evaluating procedural skills in current rural pediatric practices. In order to prepare a cadre of pediatricians to work in rural settings, we require an understanding of the unique procedural skills needed by rural pediatric providers. Our objective was to determine how often pediatricians performed various procedural skills, determine the importance of these skills to current practice, and how they differ between rural and urban pediatric providers. METHODS A survey evaluating pediatrician utilization of the 13 required Accreditation Council Graduate Medical Education procedural skills in current practice was developed and distributed to pediatric providers in New Mexico. Descriptive statistics were used to profile participants and describe survey responses. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences by urban setting or IHS. Fisher's exact test was employed to assess differences if cell sizes were less than five. All p-values were two sided with alpha=.05. Benjamini-Hochberg method was used to control for type 1 errors. RESULTS Fifty-two of 216 pediatric providers responded. The majority surveyed performed each of the 13 procedures less than monthly but competency in many of these procedures is important. Thirty-two respondents submitted free-text responses recommending competence with tracheostomy changes, gastrostomy-tube changes/cares, and circumcision. CONCLUSION Majority of surveyed pediatricians performed the required procedures less than monthly but deemed several procedures to be important. Rural pediatricians recommended specific procedural skills needed in rural practice. All trainees receive procedural skills training. However, trainees interested in rural practice may need additional training in specific skills different than their non-rural counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christal P. Chow
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Deirdre A. Hill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Walter Dehority
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
| | - E. Anne Greene
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
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Baumer NT, Hojlo MA, Pawlowski KG, Milliken AL, Lombardo AM, Sargado S, Soccorso C, Davidson EJ, Barbaresi WJ. Co-occurring conditions in Down syndrome: Findings from a clinical database. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2023; 193:e32072. [PMID: 37873945 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.32072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience a range of medical and neurodevelopmental conditions, necessitating systematic study of their occurrence and impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes. We describe the prevalence and relationships of medical, neurodevelopmental (ND), and mental health (MH) conditions in children with DS. We created a prospective clinical database of individuals with DS, integrated into the workflow of a specialty Down Syndrome Program at a specialty pediatric referral hospital. Conditions were collected through caregiver- and clinician report at clinical visits (N = 599). We calculated frequencies of medical, ND, and MH conditions and then assessed the relationship between medical, ND, and MH conditions using frequencies and comparative statistics. The most frequent co-occurring conditions were vision (72.5%), ear/hearing (71.0%), gastrointestinal (61.3%), respiratory (45.6%), and feeding (33.6%) problems, with variation in frequency by age. ND and MH conditions were reported in one quarter, most commonly autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Those with ND and MH conditions had greater frequency of medical conditions, with highest rates of vision, ear/hearing, and gastrointestinal issues, and CHD. Systematically collected clinical data in a large cohort of children with DS reveals high prevalence of several co-occurring medical, ND, and MH conditions. Clinical care requires an understanding of the complex relationship between medical conditions and neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole T Baumer
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret A Hojlo
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine G Pawlowski
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna L Milliken
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angela M Lombardo
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Sargado
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cara Soccorso
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily J Davidson
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William J Barbaresi
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Vo HH, Mercer AH, Jabre NA, Henderson CM, Boss RD, Wilfond BS. Parent Perspectives on the Child Experience of Pediatric Home Ventilation via Tracheostomy. Hosp Pediatr 2023; 13:1124-1133. [PMID: 37964652 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Parents facing the decision of whether to initiate pediatric mechanical ventilation via tracheostomy ("home ventilation") report wanting information about what to expect for life at home for their child. The study objective is to explore parent descriptions of the child experience of home ventilation to increase awareness for clinicians in the inpatient setting caring for these children. METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted using purposive sampling of parents with children who initiated home ventilation within the previous 5 years from 3 geographically diverse academic medical centers. RESULTS We interviewed 21 families from 3 geographic regions in the United States. About 75% of children had respiratory failure in the first year of life, 80% had medical complexity, and half had severe neurologic impairment. Five domains emerged regarding parent perceptions of their child's experience of home ventilation: (1) health and well-being; (2) development; (3) adaptation; (4) mobility and travel; and (5) relationships. Within each domain, several themes were identified. For each theme, there was a positive and negative subtheme to illustrate how the child's experience was modified by home ventilation. Parent descriptions were generally positive, however, in all domains and to varying degrees, parents expressed negative aspects of home ventilation. CONCLUSIONS By providing information about the realistic experiences of children using home ventilation, clinicians can support families in the inpatient setting as they face this complex decision. Balanced information about home ventilation is critical to enhancing clinician counseling so that families may benefit from the perspectives of experienced parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Hoa Vo
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Amanda H Mercer
- Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Carrie M Henderson
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
- Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Renee D Boss
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Benjamin S Wilfond
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
- Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
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Materula D, Currie G, Jia XY, Finlay B, Richard C, Yohemas M, Lachuk G, Estes M, Dewan T, MacEachern S, Gall N, Gibbard B, Zwicker JD. Measure what matters: considerations for outcome measurement of care coordination for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and medical complexity. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1280981. [PMID: 38026305 PMCID: PMC10656699 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1280981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Care Coordination (CC) is a significant intervention to enhance family's capacity in caring for children with neurodevelopmental disability and medical complexity (NDD-MC). CC assists with integration of medical and behavioral care and services, partnerships with medical and community-based supports, and access to medical, behavioral, and educational supports and services. Although there is some consensus on the principles that characterize optimal CC for children with NDD-MC, challenges remain in measuring and quantifying the impacts of CC related to these principles. Two key challenges include: (1) identification of measures that capture CC impacts from the medical system, care provider, and family perspectives; and (2) recognition of the important community context outside of a hospital or clinical setting. Methods This study used a multilevel model variant of the triangulation mixed methods design to assess the impact of a CC project implemented in Alberta, Canada, on family quality of life, resource use, and care integration at the broader environmental and household levels. At the broader environmental level, we used linked administrative data. At the household level we used quantitative pre-post survey datasets, and aggregate findings from qualitative interviews to measure group-level impacts and an embedded multiple-case design to draw comparisons, capture the nuances of children with NDD-MC and their families, and expand on factors driving the high variability in outcome measures. Three theoretical propositions formed the basis of the analytical strategy for our case study evidence to explore factors affecting the high variability in outcome measures. Discussion This study expanded on the factors used to measure the outcomes of CC and adds to our understanding of how CC as an intervention impacts resource use, quality of life, and care integration of children with NDD-MC and their families. Given the heterogeneous nature of this population, evaluation studies that account for the variable and multi-level impacts of CC interventions are critical to inform practice, implementation, and policy of CC for children with NDD-MC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dércia Materula
- School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Genevieve Currie
- School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Xiao Yang Jia
- School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Brittany Finlay
- School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Gina Lachuk
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Myka Estes
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Sarah MacEachern
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nadine Gall
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ben Gibbard
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jennifer D. Zwicker
- School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Teutsch S, Zurynski Y, Eslick GD, Deverell M, Christodoulou J, Leonard H, Dalkeith T, Johnson SLJ, Elliott EJ. Australian children living with rare diseases: health service use and barriers to accessing care. World J Pediatr 2023; 19:701-709. [PMID: 36653598 PMCID: PMC9848027 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-022-00675-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with rare diseases experience challenges at home and school and frequently require multi-disciplinary healthcare. We aimed to determine health service utilization by Australian children with rare diseases and barriers to accessing healthcare. METHODS Parents completed an online survey on health professional and emergency department (ED) presentations, hospitalization, and barriers to accessing services. Potential barriers to service access included residential location (city, regional, remote) and child health-related functioning, determined using a validated, parent-completed measure-of-function tool. RESULTS Parents of 462 children with over 240 rare diseases completed the survey. Compared with the general population, these children were more likely to be hospitalized [odds ratio (OR) = 17.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 15.50-19.20] and present to the ED (OR = 4.15, 95% CI = 3.68-4.68) or a family physician (OR = 4.14, 95% CI = 3.72-4.60). Child functional impairment was nil/mild (31%), moderate (48%) or severe (22%). Compared to children with nil/mild impairment, those with severe impairment were more likely to be hospitalized (OR = 13.39, 95% CI = 7.65-23.44) and present to the ED (OR = 11.16, 95% CI = 6.46-19.27). Most children (75%) lived in major cities, but children from regional (OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.72-4.55) and remote areas (OR = 9.09, 95% CI = 3.03-25.00) experienced significantly more barriers to healthcare access than children from major cities. Barriers included distance to travel, out-of-pocket costs, and lack of specialist medical and other health services. CONCLUSIONS Children with rare diseases, especially those with severe functional impairment have an enormous impact on health services, and better integrated multidisciplinary services with patient-centered care are needed. Access must be improved for children living in rural and remote settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzy Teutsch
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Kids Research, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| | - Yvonne Zurynski
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Kids Research, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Center for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, and NHMRC Partnership Centre in Health System Sustainability, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Guy D Eslick
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Kids Research, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Marie Deverell
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Kids Research, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Government Department of Health Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - John Christodoulou
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Helen Leonard
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Troy Dalkeith
- Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandra L J Johnson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth J Elliott
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Kids Research, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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Ramgopal S, Heneghan JA. Comparing two definitions of pediatric complexity among children cared for in general and pediatric emergency departments in a statewide sample. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2023; 4:e12950. [PMID: 37124473 PMCID: PMC10132184 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The number of children cared for in emergency departments (EDs) with medical complexity continues to rise. We sought to identify the concordance between 2 commonly used criteria of medical complexity among children presenting to a statewide sample of EDs. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of children presenting to a statewide sample of Illinois EDs between 2016 and 2021. We classified patients as having medical complexity when using 2 definitions (≥1 pediatric Complex Chronic Condition [CCC] or complex chronic disease using the Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm [PMCA]) and compared their overlap and clinical outcomes. Results Of 6,550,296 pediatric ED encounters, CCC criteria and PMCA criteria were met in 217,609 (3.3%) and 175,708 (2.7%) encounters, respectively. Among patients with complexity, 100,015 (34.1%) met both criteria, with moderate agreement (κ = 0.49). Children with complexity by CCC had similar rates of presentation to a pediatric hospital (16.3% vs 14.8%), admission (28.5% vs 33.7%), ICU stay (10.0% vs 10.1%), and in-hospital mortality (0.5% vs 0.5%) compared to children with complexity by PMCA. The most common visit diagnoses for children with CCCs were related to sickle cell disease with crisis (3.9%), abdominal pain (3.6%), and non-specific chest pain (2.7%). The most common diagnoses by PMCA were related to depressive disorders (4.9%), sickle cell disease with crisis (4.8%), and seizures (3.2%). Conclusions and Relevance The CCC and PMCA criteria of multisystem complexity identified different populations, with moderate agreement. Careful selection of operational definitions is required for proper application and interpretation in clinical and health services research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Ramgopal
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Department of PediatricsNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Julia A. Heneghan
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Minnesota Masonic Children's HospitalUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
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Honcoop A, McCulloh RJ, Kerns E, Lowndes B, Simon T, McCawley N, Flores R, Clarke M. An assessment of information needs and workflows for emergency service providers and caregivers of children with medical complexity. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:453. [PMID: 37158902 PMCID: PMC10166030 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09366-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of Project Austin, an initiative to improve emergency care for rural children who are medically complex (CMC), is to provide an Emergency Information Form (EIF) to their parents/caregivers, to local Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Departments. EIFs are standard forms recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that provide pre-planned rapid response instructions, including medical conditions, medications, and care recommendations, for emergency providers. Our objective is to describe the workflows and perceived utility of the provided emergency information forms (EIFs) in the acute medical management of CMC. METHODS We sampled from two key stakeholder groups in the acute management of CMC: four focus groups with emergency medical providers from rural and urban settings and eight key informant interviews with parents/caregivers enrolled in an emergency medical management program for CMC. Transcripts were thematically analyzed in NVivo© by two coders using a content analysis approach. The thematic codes were combined into a codebook and revised the themes present through combining relevant themes and developing of sub-themes until they reached consensus. RESULTS All parents/caregivers interviewed were enrolled in Project Austin and had an EIF. Emergency medical providers and parents/caregivers supported the usage of EIFs for CMC. Parents/caregivers also felt EIFs made emergency medical providers more prepared for their child. Providers identified that EIFs helped provide individualized care, however they were not confident the data was current and so felt unsure they could rely on the recommendations on the EIF. CONCLUSION EIFs are an easy way to engage parents, caregivers, and emergency medical providers about the specifics of a care for CMC during an emergency. Timely updates and electronic access to EIFs could improve their value for medical providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubree Honcoop
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Emile St, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Russell J McCulloh
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Emile St, Omaha, NE, USA
- Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ellen Kerns
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Emile St, Omaha, NE, USA
- Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Bethany Lowndes
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Emile St, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tiffany Simon
- Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | | | - Martina Clarke
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, 42nd and Emile St, Omaha, NE, USA
- University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
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Litt JS, Campbell DE. High-Risk Infant Follow-Up After NICU Discharge: Current Care Models and Future Considerations. Clin Perinatol 2023; 50:225-238. [PMID: 36868707 DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Preterm infants are at heightened risk for chronic health problems and developmental delays compared with term-born peers. High-risk infant follow-up programs provide surveillance and support for problems that may emerge during infancy and early childhood. Although considered standard of care, program structure, content, and timing are highly variable. Families face challenges accessing recommended follow-up services. Here, the authors review common models of high-risk infant follow-up, describe novel approaches, and outline considerations for improving the quality, value, and equity of follow-up care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Litt
- Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
| | - Deborah E Campbell
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Weiler Einstein Campus, 1601 Tenbroeck Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
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DiDomizio PG, Millar MM, Olson L, Murphy N, Moore D. Palliative Care Needs Assessment for Pediatric Complex Care Providers. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 65:73-80. [PMID: 36384179 PMCID: PMC10445479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Children with medical complexity (CMC) are often cared for by both complex care and palliative care pediatric teams. No prior research has investigated the relationship between these two disciplines. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this article is to investigate challenges that complex care programs face in caring for children with medical complexity (CMC), as well as to explore whether identified challenges could be met through collaboration with pediatric palliative care or additional training for complex care teams. METHODS Medical providers who self-identified as providing clinical care to children with medical complexity were asked to complete an online anonymous survey. Subjects were recruited through a Complex Care listerv. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS 85 subjects completed the survey, of whom 87.1% (n=74) were physicians, and 12.0% (n=11) were nurse practitioners. Subjects reported several challenges in caring for CMC, including symptom management, establishing goals of care, advance care planning, and coordination of care. A majority of subjects reported benefitting from palliative care consultative assistance in each subject area. Most subjects described their relationship with palliative care as a close partnership with frequent overlap. CONCLUSIONS The evolving field of pediatric complex care is associated with an array of challenges in caring for CMC. Many of these challenges include competency areas where palliative care providers receive concerted training. Our research suggests greater palliative care involvement in the CMC population can benefit complex care teams and patients, given the expertise palliative providers can bring to the population and the discipline of complex care.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Galen DiDomizio
- Department of Pediatrics (P .D.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
| | - Morgan M Millar
- Department of Internal Medicine (M. M.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Lenora Olson
- Department of Family Medicine (L. O.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Nancy Murphy
- Department of Pediatrics (N, M., D. M.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Capecchi Drive SLC Utah
| | - Dominic Moore
- Department of Pediatrics (N, M., D. M.), University of Utah School of Medicine, Capecchi Drive SLC Utah
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Kenney PO, Chang AJ, Krabill L, Hicar MD. Decreased Clinical Severity of Pediatric Acute COVID-19 and MIS-C and Increase of Incidental Cases during the Omicron Wave in Comparison to the Delta Wave. Viruses 2023; 15:180. [PMID: 36680220 PMCID: PMC9863387 DOI: 10.3390/v15010180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
This study describes differences in clinical presentation in hospitalized children with acute COVID-19 and MIS-C between the Delta and Omicron (BA.1.1) waves in a tertiary children's hospital. This retrospective cohort study with case adjudication of hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2-positive testing or MIS-C diagnosis occurred during the Delta and Omicron waves, from August 2021 until February 2022. There were no differences noted by race, but both waves disproportionally affected black children (24% and 25%). Assigned by a three-person expert panel, incidental diagnoses were higher in the Omicron wave (34% versus 19%). Hospitalization rates of non-incidental cases were higher during Omicron (3.8 versus 5.9 per 1000 PCR-positive community cases). Respiratory-related admissions were prominent during Delta, while Omicron clinical presentations varied, including a high number of cases of croup and seizures. Length of stay and ICU use during Omicron was significantly less than Delta for MIS-C and acute cases. Estimation of vaccination efficacy for preventing hospital admissions was 85.1-91.7% in the early Omicron period. Our estimates suggest that a protective role for vaccination continues into the Omicron wave. The high rate of incidental cases during the Omicron wave should be considered when reviewing more cursory summative data sets. This study emphasizes the need for continued clinical suspicion of COVID-19 even when lower respiratory symptoms are not dominant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick O. Kenney
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | | | - Lorna Krabill
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Mark D. Hicar
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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Yamoah J, Brown L. Understanding the types of social support that can mitigate parental burnout in mothers of children with medical complexity. Child Care Health Dev 2022. [PMID: 36460012 DOI: 10.1111/cch.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parental burnout is characterized by exhaustion, emotional distancing and a sense of ineffectiveness in the parenting role. Parents of children with medical complexity (CMC) face various challenges due to their child's diagnosis. Specifically, mothers of CMC experience more parental burnout symptoms than mothers of children without healthcare needs. Multiple studies have identified interventions for mitigating caregiver stress in parents of CMC. However, social support is of interest to organizations that provide services geared towards the family unit's social-emotional wellbeing. This article aims to explore the role of social support in mitigating parental burnout in mothers of CMC. It also aims to offer guidance to community-based organizations, practitioners, and mental health advocates on how to best allocate resources to provide social support opportunities for mothers of CMC. METHODS A qualitative case study approach was utilized to explore the role of social support in mitigating parental burnout in mothers of CMC. A sample of five mothers of CMC participated in an interview regarding the role of social support in mitigating parental burnout. Within-case analysis was used to identify overarching themes, followed by cross-case analysis to determine similarities among participants' experience. RESULTS Three salient themes emerged from the participants' interviews: isolation, types of social support, and the benefits of helping others. Types of social support included four subcategories: church support, practical support, mental health support and respite/childcare support. CONCLUSIONS Results of the study indicated that active engagement in specific types of social support was critical in mitigating parental burnout and feelings of isolation in mothers of CMC. Furthermore, results revealed that mothers of CMC experience positive benefits from helping others. These findings encourage community-based organizations to focus on maximizing partnerships with churches and other non-profit organizations to develop strategic programmes for mitigating parental burnout in mothers of CMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaymi Yamoah
- Department of Education, Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida, USA.,Out of Zion Inc., Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Laura Brown
- Department of Education, Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida, USA
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Neal JT, Monuteaux MC, Porter JJ, Hudgins JD. The Effect of COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Orders on the Rate of Pediatric Foreign Body Ingestions. J Emerg Med 2022; 63:729-737. [PMID: 36289021 PMCID: PMC9472683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2022.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Foreign body ingestions are a common presentation in the emergency department (ED), particularly in young children. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns had an effect on the proportion of foreign body ingestions. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of the Pediatric Health Information System for patients younger than 19 years who were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes for foreign body ingestion. We analyzed patients in the following three groups: young children (younger than 5 years), school-aged children (5-12 years), and adolescents (13 years and older), using an interrupted time series analysis. Our primary outcome was the difference in proportion of foreign body ingestions. We compared 1 year after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 13, 2020 to March 31, 2021) with the previous 3 years (March 1, 2017 to March 12, 2020). RESULTS Total pediatric ED encounters decreased in the post period (p < 0.01); 4902 patients per year presented for foreign body ingestion pre-COVID-19 shutdown vs. 5235 patients per year post-COVID-19 shutdown. In all three age groups (young children, school-age children, and adolescents), there was a higher proportion of foreign body ingestions post-COVID-19 shutdown (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p = 0.028, respectively), driven primarily by the decrease in total ED encounters. In the youngest age group (younger than 5 years), there was also a significant increase in slope for foreign body ingestions post-COVID-19 (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of foreign body ingestions increased after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily driven by an overall decrease in total ED volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey T. Neal
- Reprint Address: Jeffrey T. Neal, MD, Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
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Noritz G, Davidson L, Steingass K. Providing a Primary Care Medical Home for Children and Youth With Cerebral Palsy. Pediatrics 2022; 150:e2022060055. [PMID: 36404756 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-060055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disorder of childhood, with prevalence estimates ranging from 1.5 to 4 in 1000 live births. This clinical report seeks to provide primary care physicians with guidance to detect children with CP; collaborate with specialists in treating the patient; manage associated medical, developmental, and behavioral problems; and provide general medical care to their patients with CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garey Noritz
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and
| | - Lynn Davidson
- The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Katherine Steingass
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and
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A parent first: Exploring the support needs of parents caring for a child with medical complexity in Australia. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 67:e48-e57. [PMID: 36192287 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In a recent paediatric nursing research priority setting study, youth, parents and healthcare professionals included 'practical and emotional support' among the top ten areas to focus on. The aim of this study was to explore the support needs of parents who have a child with medical complexity living in the family home. DESIGN Exploratory with a qualitative inductive approach. METHODS Semi-structured interviews with 12 mothers of children living with heterogenous medical complexity. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The COREQ checklist was used as a reporting guide. RESULTS Three themes were tied together by the finding that participants identified as 'a parent first'. The first theme represents the early days where participants desired emotional and practical support for becoming a parent of a child with medical complexity. In the second theme, participants desired more support for the discharge home from the hospital. In the last theme, participants described high levels of knowledge and expertise in relation to their child's unique needs and desired highly accessible support for keeping their child out of hospital. CONCLUSION Parents' support needs change over time and are similar despite the heterogeneity of their children's medical complexity. Parents seek services that support an independent family life and are responsive to their confidence and competence in caring for their child at home. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Interventions should be tailored to the changing support needs of parents over time.
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Smiley Y, Silberholz E, Bekele E, Brodie N. Caregiver stress and social determinants of health in key populations: immigrant parents, parents of children with medical complexity, and adolescent parents. Curr Opin Pediatr 2022; 34:521-530. [PMID: 35993274 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To examine the five domains of social determinants of health - economic stability, education access, healthcare access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context - and how these relate to caregiver stress in under-resourced populations. RECENT FINDINGS Socioeconomic and family factors are increasingly understood as drivers of child health. Caregiver stress can impact family stability and child wellbeing. Immigrant parents, caregivers of children with medical complexity, and adolescent parents experience stressors due to the unique needs of their families. These groups of parents and caregivers also face various challenges identified as social determinants of health. Interventions to mitigate these challenges can promote resilience, care coordination, and community-based supports. SUMMARY Current research describes caregiver stress in key populations, how caregiver stress affects children, and approaches to minimize and mitigate these effects. Pediatric providers can implement best practices to support families who are navigating stress due to caregiving and social determinants of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Smiley
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Elizabeth Silberholz
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - ElShadey Bekele
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Nicola Brodie
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia
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Al Kaissi A, Ryabykh S, Nassib N, Bouchoucha S, Benjemaa L, Rejeb I, Hizem S, Kenis V, Grill F, Kircher SG, Shboul M, Ben Chehida F. Craniofacial Malformations as Fundamental Diagnostic Tools in Syndromic Entities. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12102375. [PMID: 36292064 PMCID: PMC9600391 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12102375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A long list of syndromic entities can be diagnosed immediately through scrutinizing the clinical phenotype of the craniofacial features. The latter should be assisted via proper radiological interpretations. Patients and Methods: Different children aged from 1 month to 12 years were referred to our departments seeking orthopedic advice. Primarily, all received variable false diagnoses in other institutes. Two unrelated boys of one month and 12 months were falsely diagnosed as having positional plagiocephaly associated with contractures of idiopathic origin. Two unrelated boys of 14 months and 2 years were diagnosed with pseudo-hydrocephalus and non-specific syndrome, and were referred to explore their skeletal development. Two unrelated girls of 4 years old and 12 years old presented with multiple contractures were referred because of progressive scoliosis. A 4-year-old girl was referred with a false provisional diagnosis of facial diplegia. All children underwent detailed clinical, radiological and tomographic phenotypic characterizations and genetic testing, respectively. Results: Idaho syndrome (craniosynostosis associated with multiple dislocations) was the final diagnosis in the two unrelated boys with plagiocephaly and multiple contractures. Two children falsely diagnosed with pseudo-hydrocephalus and non-specific syndrome, were diagnosed with Silver–Russell syndrome (RSS). Contractural arachnodactyly Beals (CAB) was confirmed as the definitive diagnosis in the two unrelated girls with progressive scoliosis and multiple contractures. Parry–Romberg syndrome (PRS) associated with congenital lumbar kyphosis was the final diagnosis of the girl with the diagnosis of facial diplegia. Hypomethylation of ICR1 was confirmed in the RSS patients. Whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed a heterozygous mutation in the PRS patients. WES and array-CGH showed that no relevant variants or copy number variations (CNV) were identified in the CAB patients. Conclusions: On the one hand, newborn children can manifest diverse forms of abnormal craniofacial features, which are usually associated with either major or minor dysmorphic stigmata. A cleft lip/ palate is a major craniofacial malformation, and frontal bossing or a disproportionate craniofacial contour can be falsely considered as a transient plagiocephaly, which is spontaneously resolved by time. On the other hand, many physicians fall into the problem of deeming a countless number of diseases, such as contractures, as an idiopathic or non-specific syndrome. The latter stems from limited clinical experience. Therefore, failing to establish between the onset of the deformity and other inexplicit abnormal features that the patient or their immediate families or relatives carry is the final outcome. In this study, we used, for the first time, a reconstruction CT scan to further delineate the congenital disruption of the craniofacial anatomy and the other skeletal malformation complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al Kaissi
- National Medical Research Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics n.a. G.A. Ilizarov, 640032 Kurgan, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Sergey Ryabykh
- National Medical Research Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics n.a. G.A. Ilizarov, 640032 Kurgan, Russia
| | - Nabil Nassib
- Department of Paediatric Orthopedics, Children Hospital, Tunis 1029, Tunisia
| | - Sami Bouchoucha
- Department of Paediatric Orthopedics, Children Hospital, Tunis 1029, Tunisia
| | - Lamia Benjemaa
- Department of Human Genetics, Mongi Slim Hospital, Tunis 2046, Tunisia
| | - Imen Rejeb
- Department of Human Genetics, Mongi Slim Hospital, Tunis 2046, Tunisia
| | - Syrine Hizem
- Department of Human Genetics, Mongi Slim Hospital, Tunis 2046, Tunisia
| | - Vladimir Kenis
- Pediatric Orthopedic Institute n.a. H. Turner, Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Neuroorthopaedics and Systemic Disorders, 196605 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Franz Grill
- Orthopedic Hospital of Speising, Pediatric Department, 1130 Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Gerit Kircher
- Department of Medical Patho-Chemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mohammad Shboul
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
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Genna C, Thekkan KR, Geremia C, Di Furia M, Campana A, Dall'Oglio I, Tiozzo E, Gawronski O. Parents' process of recognition and response to clinical deterioration of their children with medical complexity at home: A grounded theory. J Clin Nurs 2022. [PMID: 36101491 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM To explore the process of recognition and response to clinical deterioration of children with medical complexity at home by their parents. BACKGROUND Children with medical complexity are characterised by known chronic conditions associated with frailty and functional limitations, dependence on healthcare services and high use of technology and resources. Their medical complexity often leads to the onset of complications. Targeted care ensures timely recognition and response to clinical deterioration at home, thus avoiding serious sequelae, inappropriate hospitalisations and improving quality of life. Evidence on parents' process of the recognition and response to clinical deterioration at home is limited. DESIGN Qualitative study using a Grounded Theory methodology. METHOD Seven online focus groups were conducted with parents and healthcare providers experienced in their care. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed through open, axial and selective coding, using a constant comparative iterative method. The COREQ guidelines guided the reporting of this work. RESULTS Four categories and one core category were identified: (1) Awareness of the unique and shared characteristics of children with medical complexity; (2) Parents' care maintenance and management; (3) Parents' care monitoring; (4) Parents' response to clinical deterioration and (5) Seeking the Shift of Agency, the core category as the foundation of the Process of Recognition and rEsponse of PAREnts to Deterioration (PRE-PARE-D) theory. CONCLUSION The role of parents of children with medical complexity is evolving into active care leaders, by developing care management and care monitoring competences and negotiating care with healthcare providers. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The shift of agency from healthcare providers to parents requires education and counselling pathways to promote the development of parent's self-efficacy, competencies and empowerment in the care management of their children. Home care delivery for children with medical complexity should aim at sustaining this partnership between healthcare providers and parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia Genna
- Professional Development, Continuing Education and Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Kiara Ros Thekkan
- Professional Development, Continuing Education and Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Geremia
- Department of Emergency, Acceptance and General Paediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Di Furia
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Campana
- Department of Emergency, Acceptance and General Paediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Immacolata Dall'Oglio
- Professional Development, Continuing Education and Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Tiozzo
- Professional Development, Continuing Education and Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Orsola Gawronski
- Professional Development, Continuing Education and Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Godoy-Molina E, Fernández-Ferrández T, Ruiz-Sánchez JM, Cordón-Martínez A, Pérez-Frías J, Navas-López VM, Nuñez-Cuadros E. Escala para la identificación del paciente pediátrico crónico complejo (Escala PedCom). Estudio piloto. An Pediatr (Barc) 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Marquez C, Thompson R, Feinstein JA, Orth LE. Identifying opportunities for pediatric medication therapy management in children with medical complexity. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2022; 62:1587-1595.e3. [PMID: 35527209 PMCID: PMC9464681 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite potential benefits of medication therapy management (MTM) for complex pediatric patients, implementation of pediatric MTM services is rare. OBJECTIVES To describe how a standardized pediatric MTM model identifies potential interventions and their impact on medication regimen complexity index (MRCI) scores in children with medical complexity (CMC) and polypharmacy. METHODS This retrospective proof-of-concept study included pediatric patients receiving primary care in a large outpatient primary care medical home for CMC within a tertiary freestanding children's hospital from August 2020 to July 2021. Medication profiles of established patients aged 0-18 years with at least 5 active medications at the time of the index visit were assessed for medication-related concerns, potential interventions, and potential impact of proposed interventions on MRCI scores. RESULTS Among 100 patients, an average of 3.4 ± 2.6 medication-related concerns was identified using the pediatric MTM model. Common medication-related concerns (>25% of patients) included inappropriate or unnecessary therapy, suboptimal therapy, undertreated symptom, adverse effect, clinically impactful drug-drug interaction, or duplication of therapy. A total of 97% had opportunities for 5.0 ± 2.9 potential interventions. Most common proposed interventions included drug discontinuation trial (69%), patient or caregiver education (55%), dosage form modification (51%), dose modification (49%), and frequency modification (46%). The mean baseline MRCI score was 32.6 (95% CI 29.3-35.8) among all patients. MRCI scores decreased by a mean of 4.9 (95% CI 3.8-5.9) after application of the theoretical interventions (P < 0.001). Mean potential score reduction was not significantly affected by patient age or number of complex chronic conditions. Potential impact of the proposed interventions on MRCI score was significantly greater in patients with higher baseline medication counts (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Most CMC would likely benefit from a pharmacist-guided pediatric MTM service. A standardized review of active medication regimens identified multiple medication-related concerns and potential interventions for nearly all patients. Proposed medication interventions would significantly reduce medication regimen complexity as measured by MRCI. Further prospective evaluation of a pharmacist-guided pediatric MTM service is warranted.
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Sandhu S, Ming DY, Crew C, Morreale MC, Cleveland S, Lail J, deJong NA. Identifying Priorities to Improve the System of Care for Children With Complex Health Needs in North Carolina: Process and Outcomes of Systematic Stakeholder Engagement. Acad Pediatr 2022; 22:1041-1048. [PMID: 35091096 PMCID: PMC9314463 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with complex health needs (CCHN) have both medical (eg, chronic conditions) and health-related social needs (eg, potentially adverse social determinants of health) that require ongoing health care and support from multiple community service providers. National standards developed for populations defined by health needs (CYSHCN) provide a framework for stakeholders to plan system-level improvements in care delivery for CCHN, but improvement efforts should reflect the priorities of their families and providers. This article describes a process of prioritizing system-level efforts to improve the health and well-being of CCHN and families in North Carolina (NC), using systematic stakeholder engagement and modified Delphi expert ratings. METHODS We surveyed stakeholders with experience caring for CCHN using an open-ended, 3-item instrument to identify opportunities to improve systems of care. Using directed qualitative content analysis, we synthesized responses into a master list of potential improvement topics. Using a modified Delphi approach, a 16-member advisory committee rated all topics for importance and urgency, on 9-point Likert scales over 2 rounds; then ratings for each topic were ranked (low, medium, high) to establish relative priority. RESULTS Forty seven individuals from 31 counties around NC provided survey responses, yielding 59 improvement topics in 10 domains. Through the modified Delphi method process, 21 topics (36%) received the highest rankings, largely representing access to community- and home-based services, equity, and enhancement of the pediatric workforce. CONCLUSIONS Priorities identified by stakeholders will inform advocacy, policy, and improvement efforts. Next steps for the coalition include developing improvement projects to implement stakeholder-recommended actions for the highest-priority topics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahil Sandhu
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, 100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - David Y. Ming
- Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC Box 100800, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carter Crew
- Children’s Health and Discovery Initiative, Duke University School of Medicine, 701 Main Street Durham, North Carolina 27701, USA
| | - Madlyn C. Morreale
- Legal Aid of North Carolina, 224 S. Dawson St., Raleigh, North Carolina 27601, USA,Department of Pediatrics, UNC School of Medicine, 231 MacNider Hall, CB 7225, 321 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Shea Cleveland
- Family Resource Center South Atlantic Family to Family Health Information Center, Derrick W. Byrd. 3825 Barrett Drive. Suite 104. Raleigh, North Carolina 27609, USA,Family Support Network of North Carolina, 325 Pittsboro St, UNC Campus Box 3550, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Jennifer Lail
- Jennifer Lail, LLC, 511 S Mangum St #1096, Durham, North Carolina 27701, USA
| | - Neal A. deJong
- Department of Pediatrics, UNC School of Medicine, 231 MacNider Hall, CB 7225, 321 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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Pulcini CD, Dubuque A, Lamberson M, Macy ML, Mistry RD, Pruitt CM, Schnadower D, Zorc JJ, Stevens MW. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians' Perspectives on Emergency Care of Children With Medical Complexity: A Multi-institution Mixed-Methods Assessment. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:e1423-e1427. [PMID: 35436769 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with medical complexity (CMC) compose 1% of the pediatric population but account for 20% of pediatric emergency department (ED) visits. Previous descriptions of challenges and interventions to ensure quality of care are limited. Our objective was to elicit pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians' perspectives on challenges and opportunities for improvement of emergency care of CMC, with a focus on emergency information forms (EIFs). METHODS We conducted a web-based survey of PEM physicians participating the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Emergency Medicine Survey listserv. The survey was designed using an expert panel, and subsequently piloted and revised to an 18-item survey. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS One hundred fifty-one of 495 respondents (30%) completed the survey. Most respondents (62.9%) reported caring for >10 CMC per month. Whereas overall medical fragility and time constraints were major contributors to the challenges of caring for CMC in the ED, communication with known providers and shared care plans were identified as particularly helpful. Most respondents did not report routine use of EIFs. Anticipated emergencies/action plan was deemed the most important component of EIFs. CONCLUSIONS Most PEM physicians view the care for CMC in the ED as challenging despite practicing in high-resource environments. Further research is needed to develop and implement strategies to improve care of CMC in the ED. Understanding experiences of providers in general ED settings is also an important next step given that 80% of CMC present for emergency care outside of major children's hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian D Pulcini
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery and Pediatrics
| | - Amy Dubuque
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
| | - Miles Lamberson
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
| | - Michelle L Macy
- Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | | | | | - David Schnadower
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Joseph J Zorc
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Martha W Stevens
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery and Pediatrics
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A scale for the identification of the complex chronic pediatric patient (PedCom Scale): A pilot study. ANALES DE PEDIATRÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2022; 97:155-160. [PMID: 35871152 DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The complex chronic condition (CCC) is an increasingly prevalent reality in pediatrics. However, having a CCC does not necessarily mean being a complex chronic patient (CCP). From this perspective, we developed an instrument (PedCom Scale) that would facilitate the identification of the CCP. MATERIAL AND METHODS Initially, general aspects for the classification of patients as CCP were defined. Subsequently, the items of the scale were developed, scoring them from 0.5 to 4 points. We performed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the internal consistency was studied using alpha-Cronbach. Concordance was evaluated by intra- and inter-observer study. The gold standard was the classification performed by two evaluators after assessing the patient's medical history. The cut-off point for considering the patient as a CCP was established using the ROC curve. RESULTS The initial version included 43 items with a global content validity index (CVI) of 0.94. A total of 180 patients were included. After the CFA, one item was eliminated, so the final version consists of 42 items with an CVI of 0.95. The alpha-Cronbach value was 0.723. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the test-retest analysis was 0.998 and 0.996 for the inter-observer study. The cut-off point for considering a patient as a CCP was established at 6.5 points, with this results we obtained a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 94%. CONCLUSIONS The PedCom Scale is an easy-to-use tool focused on the identification of the CCP. In our sample, it presented satisfactory levels of internal consistency and adequate levels of intra- and inter-observer agreement, with good sensitivity and specificity for the identification of the CCP.
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Heneghan JA, Goodman DM, Ramgopal S. Demographic and Clinical Differences Between Applied Definitions of Medical Complexity. Hosp Pediatr 2022; 12:654-663. [PMID: 35652303 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2021-006432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify the degree of concordance and characterize demographic and clinical differences between commonly used definitions of multisystem medical complexity in children hospitalized in children's hospitals. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional cohort study of children <21 years of age hospitalized at 47 US Pediatric Health Information System-participating children's hospitals between January 2017 to December 2019. We classified patients as having multisystem complexity when using 3 definitions of medical complexity (pediatric complex chronic conditions, pediatric medical complexity algorithm, and pediatric chronic critical illness) and assessed their overlap. We compared demographic, clinical, outcome, cost characteristics, and longitudinal healthcare utilization for each grouping. RESULTS Nearly one-fourth (23.5%) of children hospitalized at Pediatric Health Information System-participating institutions were identified as meeting at least 1 definition of multisystem complexity. Children with multisystem complexity ranged from 1.0% to 22.1% of hospitalized children, depending on the definition, with 31.2% to 95.9% requiring an ICU stay during their index admission. Differences were seen in demographic, clinical, and resource utilization patterns across the definitions. Definitions of multisystem complexity demonstrated poor agreement (Fleiss' κ 0.21), with 3.5% of identified children meeting all 3. CONCLUSIONS Three definitions of multisystem complexity identified varied populations of children with complex medical needs, with poor overall agreement. Careful consideration is required when applying definitions of medical complexity in health services research, and their lack of concordance should result in caution in the interpretation of research using differing definitions of medical complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Heneghan
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Sriram Ramgopal
- Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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47
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Hamilton H, West AN, Ammar N, Chinthala L, Gunturkun F, Jones T, Shaban-Nejad A, Shah SH. Analyzing Relationships Between Economic and Neighborhood-Related Social Determinants of Health and Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay for Critically Ill Children With Medical Complexity Presenting With Severe Sepsis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:789999. [PMID: 35570956 PMCID: PMC9099028 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.789999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Of the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), we evaluated socioeconomic and neighborhood-related factors which may affect children with medical complexity (CMC) admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Shelby County, Tennessee with severe sepsis and their association with PICU length of stay (LOS). We hypothesized that census tract-level socioeconomic and neighborhood factors were associated with prolonged PICU LOS in CMC admitted with severe sepsis in the underserved community. Methods This single-center retrospective observational study included CMC living in Shelby County, Tennessee admitted to the ICU with severe sepsis over an 18-month period. Severe sepsis CMC patients were identified using an existing algorithm incorporated into the electronic medical record at a freestanding children's hospital. SDoH information was collected and analyzed using patient records and publicly available census-tract level data, with ICU length of stay as the primary outcome. Results 83 encounters representing 73 patients were included in the analysis. The median PICU LOS was 9.04 days (IQR 3.99–20.35). The population was 53% male with a median age of 4.1 years (IQR 1.96–12.02). There were 57 Black/African American patients (68.7%) and 85.5% had public insurance. Based on census tract-level data, about half (49.4%) of the CMC severe sepsis population lived in census tracts classified as suffering from high social vulnerability. There were no statistically significant relationships between any socioeconomic and neighborhood level factors and PICU LOS. Conclusion Pediatric CMC severe sepsis patients admitted to the PICU do not have prolonged lengths of ICU stay related to socioeconomic and neighborhood-level SDoH at our center. A larger sample with the use of individual-level screening would need to be evaluated for associations between social determinants of health and PICU outcomes of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter Hamilton
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Alina N West
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Nariman Ammar
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Oak-Ridge National Laboratory Center for Biomedical Informatics, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Lokesh Chinthala
- Clinical Trials Network of Tennessee, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Fatma Gunturkun
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Oak-Ridge National Laboratory Center for Biomedical Informatics, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Tamekia Jones
- Departments of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States.,Children's Foundation Research Institute Biostatistics Core, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Arash Shaban-Nejad
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Oak-Ridge National Laboratory Center for Biomedical Informatics, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Samir H Shah
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, TN, United States
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48
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Azzopardi C, Cohen E, Pépin K, Netten K, Birken C, Madigan S. Child Welfare System Involvement Among Children With Medical Complexity. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2022; 27:257-266. [PMID: 34219484 PMCID: PMC9003756 DOI: 10.1177/10775595211029713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Children with medical complexity may be at elevated risk of experiencing child maltreatment and child welfare system involvement, though empirical data are limited. This study examined the extent of child welfare system involvement among children with medical complexity and investigated associated health and social factors. A retrospective chart review of children with medical complexity (N = 208) followed at a pediatric hospital-based complex care program in Canada was conducted. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios using logistic regression were computed. Results showed that nearly one-quarter (23.6%) had documented contact with the child welfare system, most commonly for neglect; of those, more than one-third (38.8%) were placed in care. Caregiver reported history of mental health problems (aOR = 3.19, 95%CI = 1.55-6.56), chronic medical conditions (aOR = 2.86, 95%CI = 1.09-7.47), and interpersonal violence or trauma (aOR = 17.58, 95%CI = 5.43-56.98) were associated with increased likelihood of child welfare system involvement, while caregiver married/common-law relationship status (aOR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.16-0.74) and higher number of medical technology supports (aOR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.57-0.99) were associated with decreased likelihood. Implications for intervention and prevention of maltreatment in children with high healthcare needs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corry Azzopardi
- Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Program, Division of Paediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eyal Cohen
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karine Pépin
- Department of Paediatric, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kathy Netten
- Department of Social Work, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine Birken
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheri Madigan
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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49
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Pulcini CD, Coller RJ, Macy ML, Alpern E, Harris D, Rodean J, Hall M, Chung PJ, Berry JG. Low-Resource Emergency Department Visits for Children With Complex Chronic Conditions. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:e856-e862. [PMID: 34009894 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reducing emergency department (ED) use in children with complex chronic conditions (CCC) is a national health system priority. Emergency department visits with minimal clinical intervention may be the most avoidable. We assessed characteristics associated with experiencing such a low-resource ED visit among children with a CCC. METHODS A retrospective study of 271,806 ED visits between 2014 and 2017 among patients with a CCC in the Pediatric Health Information System database was performed. The main outcome was a low-resource ED visit, where no medications, laboratory, procedures, or diagnostic tests were administered and the patient was not admitted to the hospital. χ2 Tests and generalized linear models were used to assess bivariable and multivariable relationships of patients' demographic, clinical, and health service characteristics with the likelihood of a low- versus higher-resource ED visit. RESULTS Sixteen percent (n = 44,111) of ED visits among children with CCCs were low-resource. In multivariable analysis, the highest odds of experiencing a low- versus higher-resource ED visit occurred in patients aged 0 year (vs 16+ years; odds ratio [OR], 3.9 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 3.7-4.1]), living <5 (vs 20+) miles from the ED (OR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.7-1.8]), and who presented to the ED in the day and evening versus overnight (1.5 [95% CI, 1.4-1.5]). CONCLUSIONS Infant age, living close to the ED, and day/evening-time visits were associated with the greatest likelihood of experiencing a low-resource ED visit in children with CCCs. Further investigation is needed to assess key drivers for ED use in these children and identify opportunities for diversion of ED care to outpatient and community settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian D Pulcini
- From the Department of Surgery and Pediatrics, University of Vermont Medical Center and Children's Hospital, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT
| | - Ryan J Coller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - Michelle L Macy
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Elizabeth Alpern
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | | | | | | | - Paul J Chung
- Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, Departments of Pediatrics and Health Policy & Management, UCLA RAND Health, RAND Corporation, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jay G Berry
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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50
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Diskin C, Malik K, Gill PJ, Rashid N, Chan CY, Nelson KE, Thomson J, Berry J, Agrawal R, Orkin J, Cohen E. Research priorities for children with neurological impairment and medical complexity in high-income countries. Dev Med Child Neurol 2022; 64:200-208. [PMID: 34462917 PMCID: PMC9291325 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM To identify the highest-priority clinical research areas related to children with neurological impairment and medical complexity among clinicians and caregivers. METHOD A modified, three-stage Delphi study using online surveys and guided by a steering committee was completed. In round 1, clinicians and family caregivers suggested clinical topics and related questions that require research to support this subgroup of children. After refinement of the suggestions by the steering committee, participants contributed to 1 (family caregivers) or 2 (clinicians) subsequent rounds to develop a prioritized list. RESULTS A diverse international expert panel consisting of 49 clinicians and 12 family caregivers provided 601 responses. Responses were distilled into 26 clinical topics comprising 126 related questions. The top clinical topics prioritized for research were irritability and pain, child mental health, disorders of tone, polypharmacy, sleep, aspiration, behavior, dysautonomia, and feeding intolerance. The clinician expert panel also prioritized 10 specific research questions. INTERPRETATION Study findings support a research agenda for children with neurological impairment and medical complexity focused on addressing clinical questions, prioritized by an international group of clinicians and caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Diskin
- Division of Paediatric MedicineDepartment of PaediatricsThe Hospital for Sick ChildrenUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Kristina Malik
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Colorado School of MedicineAuroraCOUSA,Special Care ClinicChildren’s Hospital ColoradoAuroraCOUSA
| | - Peter J Gill
- Division of Paediatric MedicineDepartment of PaediatricsThe Hospital for Sick ChildrenUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada,Child Health Evaluative SciencesSickKids Research InstituteTorontoOntarioCanada,Institute for Health Policy, Management and EvaluationUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada,Centre for Evidence‐Based MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Nada Rashid
- The Hospital for Sick ChildrenTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Carol Y Chan
- Child Health Evaluative SciencesSickKids Research InstituteTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Katherine E Nelson
- Division of Paediatric MedicineDepartment of PaediatricsThe Hospital for Sick ChildrenUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada,Child Health Evaluative SciencesSickKids Research InstituteTorontoOntarioCanada,Institute for Health Policy, Management and EvaluationUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Joanna Thomson
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOHUSA,Division of Hospital MedicineCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Jay Berry
- Division of General PediatricsChildren’s Hospital BostonBostonMAUSA,Department of PediatricsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Rishi Agrawal
- Department of PediatricsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA,Division of Hospital‐Based MedicineDepartment of PediatricsAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of ChicagoNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoILUSA,Section of Chronic DiseaseLa Rabida Children’s HospitalChicagoILUSA
| | - Julia Orkin
- Division of Paediatric MedicineDepartment of PaediatricsThe Hospital for Sick ChildrenUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada,Child Health Evaluative SciencesSickKids Research InstituteTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Eyal Cohen
- Division of Paediatric MedicineDepartment of PaediatricsThe Hospital for Sick ChildrenUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada,Child Health Evaluative SciencesSickKids Research InstituteTorontoOntarioCanada,Institute for Health Policy, Management and EvaluationUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada,Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy ChildrenUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada,CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability ResearchMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
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