51
|
Shumskiy I, Richardson T, Brar S, Hall M, Cox J, Crofton C, Peltz A, Samuels-Kalow M, Alpern ER, Neuman MI, Berry JG. Well-Child Visits of Medicaid-Insured Children with Medical Complexity. J Pediatr 2018; 199:223-230.e2. [PMID: 29752175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Well-child visits (WCVs) help optimize children's health. We measured annual WCVs for children with medical complexity (CMC) and correlated WCVs with hospitalizations. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective analysis of 93 121 CMC aged 1-18 years continuously enrolled in 10 state Medicaid programs in the Truven MarketScan Database between 2010 and 2014. CMC had a complex chronic condition or 3 or more chronic conditions of any complexity identified from International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes, and the use of 1 or more chronic medications. We measured the number of years with 1 or more WCVs. The χ2 test and logistic regression were used to assess the relationships of WCV-years with the children's characteristics and hospitalization. RESULTS Over 5 years, 13.4% of CMC had 0 WCVs; 17.3% had WCVs in 1 year, 40.8% had WCVs in 2-3 years, and 28.5% had WCVs in 4-5 years. Fewer children received WCVs in 4-5 years when enrolled in Medicaid fee-for-service compared with managed care (20.9% vs 31.5%; P < .001) and when enrolled due to a disability compared with another reason (18.2% vs 32.2%; P < .001). The percentage of CMC hospitalized decreased as the number of years receiving WCV increased (21.5% at 0 years vs 16.9% at 5 years; P < .001). The adjusted odds of hospitalization were higher in CMC with WCVs in 0-4 years compared with CMC with WCVs in all 5 years (OR range across years, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0-1.2] to 1.3 [95% CI, 1.3-1.4]). CONCLUSIONS Most Medicaid-insured CMC do not receive annual WCVs consistently over time. Children with fewer annual WCVs have a higher likelihood of hospitalization. Further investigation is needed to improve the use of WCVs in CMC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor Shumskiy
- Boston Combined Residency Program in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | | | - Sumeet Brar
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Matt Hall
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, KS
| | - Joanne Cox
- Complex Care Service, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Charis Crofton
- Complex Care Service, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Alon Peltz
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | | | - Elizabeth R Alpern
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Mark I Neuman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jay G Berry
- Complex Care Service, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Lindley LC, Cohrs AC, Keim-Malpass J, Leslie DL. Children Enrolled in Hospice Care Under Commercial Insurance: A Comparison of Different Age Groups. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2018; 36:123-129. [DOI: 10.1177/1049909118789868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although most children at end of life have commercial insurance, little is known about their demographic and clinical characteristics, what care they are receiving, and how much it costs. Objectives: To describe commercially insured children who enrolled in hospice care during their last year of life and to examine differences across age-groups. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using 2005 to 2014 data from the MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database from Truven Health Analytics. Variables were created for demographics, health, utilization, and spending. Analyses included χ2 and analysis of variance tests of differences. Results: Among the 17 062 children who utilized hospice, 49% had a preferred provider organization (PPO). Hospice length of stay averaged less than 5 days. Over 80% of children visited their primary care physician. Eight percent had hospital readmissions, and 38% had emergency department (ED) visits. Average expenditures were US$3686 per month or US$44 232 annually. The most common condition for children less than 1 year was cardiovascular (21.96%). Neuromuscular conditions were the most frequent (7.89%) in children aged 1 to 5 years, while malignancies (10.53% and 11.32%, respectively) were prevalent in ages 6 to 14 and 15 to 17. Children less than 1 year had the highest frequency of hospital readmissions (16.25%) with the lowest ED visits (28.67%) while incurring the highest expenses (US$11 211/month). Conclusions: The findings suggest that commercially insured children, who enroll in hospice, have flexible coverage with a PPO. Hospital readmissions and ED visits were relatively low for a population who was seriously ill. There were significant age-group differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa C. Lindley
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Austin C. Cohrs
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Jessica Keim-Malpass
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Nursing & School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Douglas L. Leslie
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
|
54
|
Nelson KE, Feinstein JA, Gerhardt CA, Rosenberg AR, Widger K, Faerber JA, Feudtner C. Emerging Methodologies in Pediatric Palliative Care Research: Six Case Studies. CHILDREN-BASEL 2018; 5:children5030032. [PMID: 29495384 PMCID: PMC5867491 DOI: 10.3390/children5030032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Given the broad focus of pediatric palliative care (PPC) on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children with potentially life-limiting illnesses and their families, PPC research requires creative methodological approaches. This manuscript, written by experienced PPC researchers, describes issues encountered in our own areas of research and the novel methods we have identified to target them. Specifically, we discuss potential approaches to: assessing symptoms among nonverbal children, evaluating medical interventions, identifying and treating problems related to polypharmacy, addressing missing data in longitudinal studies, evaluating longer-term efficacy of PPC interventions, and monitoring for inequities in PPC service delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Nelson
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada.
| | - James A Feinstein
- Adult and Child Consortium for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
- Division of General Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Cynthia A Gerhardt
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
- Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.
| | - Kimberley Widger
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P8, Canada.
| | - Jennifer A Faerber
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Chris Feudtner
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Zimmermann K, Cignacco E, Engberg S, Ramelet AS, von der Weid N, Eskola K, Bergstraesser E, Ansari M, Aebi C, Baer R, Popovic MB, Bernet V, Brazzola P, Bucher HU, Buder R, Cagnazzo S, Dinten B, Dorsaz A, Elmer F, Enriquez R, Fahrni-Nater P, Finkbeiner G, Frey B, Frey U, Greiner J, Hassink RI, Keller S, Kretschmar O, Kroell J, Laubscher B, Leibundgut K, Malaer R, Meyer A, Stuessi C, Nelle M, Neuhaus T, Niggli F, Perrenoud G, Pfammatter JP, Plecko B, Rupf D, Sennhauser F, Stade C, Steinlin M, Stoffel L, Thomas K, Vonarburg C, von Vigier R, Wagner B, Wieland J, Wernz B. Patterns of paediatric end-of-life care: a chart review across different care settings in Switzerland. BMC Pediatr 2018; 18:67. [PMID: 29452600 PMCID: PMC5816353 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-018-1021-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paediatric end-of-life care is challenging and requires a high level of professional expertise. It is important that healthcare teams have a thorough understanding of paediatric subspecialties and related knowledge of disease-specific aspects of paediatric end-of-life care. The aim of this study was to comprehensively describe, explore and compare current practices in paediatric end-of-life care in four distinct diagnostic groups across healthcare settings including all relevant levels of healthcare providers in Switzerland. METHODS In this nationwide retrospective chart review study, data from paediatric patients who died in the years 2011 or 2012 due to a cardiac, neurological or oncological condition, or during the neonatal period were collected in 13 hospitals, two long-term institutions and 10 community-based healthcare service providers throughout Switzerland. RESULTS Ninety-three (62%) of the 149 reviewed patients died in intensive care units, 78 (84%) of them following withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Reliance on invasive medical interventions was prevalent, and the use of medication was high, with a median count of 12 different drugs during the last week of life. Patients experienced an average number of 6.42 symptoms. The prevalence of various types of symptoms differed significantly among the four diagnostic groups. Overall, our study patients stayed in the hospital for a median of six days during their last four weeks of life. Seventy-two patients (48%) stayed at home for at least one day and only half of those received community-based healthcare. CONCLUSIONS The study provides a wide-ranging overview of current end-of-life care practices in a real-life setting of different healthcare providers. The inclusion of patients with all major diagnoses leading to disease- and prematurity-related childhood deaths, as well as comparisons across the diagnostic groups, provides additional insight and understanding for healthcare professionals. The provision of specialised palliative and end-of-life care services in Switzerland, including the capacity of community healthcare services, need to be expanded to meet the specific needs of seriously ill children and their families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karin Zimmermann
- Department Public Health (DPH), Nursing Science, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland. .,Paediatric Palliative Care, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Children's Research Center CRC, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland. .,Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Eva Cignacco
- Department Public Health (DPH), Nursing Science, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.,Health Division, University of Applied Sciences Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Engberg
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, 3500 Victoria Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Anne-Sylvie Ramelet
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare - IUFRS, University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 10, 1010, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Nurse Research Consultant, Department of Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas von der Weid
- Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, University Children's Hospital UKBB, Spitalstrasse 33, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katri Eskola
- Department Public Health (DPH), Nursing Science, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.,Triemli Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Bergstraesser
- Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
56
|
Patterns of Care at the End of Life for Children and Young Adults with Life-Threatening Complex Chronic Conditions. J Pediatr 2018; 193:196-203.e2. [PMID: 29174080 PMCID: PMC5794525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.09.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize patterns of care at the end of life for children and young adults with life-threatening complex chronic conditions (LT-CCCs) and to compare them by LT-CCC type. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional survey of bereaved parents (n = 114; response rate of 54%) of children with noncancer, noncardiac LT-CCCs who received care at a quaternary care children's hospital and medical record abstraction. RESULTS The majority of children with LT-CCCs died in the hospital (62.7%) with more than one-half (53.3%) dying in the intensive care unit. Those with static encephalopathy (AOR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.98), congenital and chromosomal disorders (AOR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.09-0.91), and pulmonary disorders (AOR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.77) were significantly less likely to die at home compared with those with progressive central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Almost 50% of patients died after withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining therapies, 17.5% died during active resuscitation, and 36% died while receiving comfort care only. The mode of death varied widely across LT-CCCs, with no patients with pulmonary disorders dying receiving comfort care only compared with 66.7% of those with CNS progressive disorders. A majority of patients had palliative care involvement (79.3%); however, in multivariable analyses, there was distinct variation in receipt of palliative care across LT-CCCs, with patients having CNS static encephalopathy (AOR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.68) and pulmonary disorders (AOR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-.09) significantly less likely to have palliative care involvement than those with CNS progressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS Significant differences in patterns of care at the end of life exist depending on LT-CCC type. Attention to these patterns is important to ensure equal access to palliative care and targeted improvements in end-of-life care for these populations.
Collapse
|
57
|
Zaal-Schuller IH, Willems DL, Ewals FVPM, van Goudoever JB, de Vos MA. Considering quality of life in end-of-life decisions for severely disabled children. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2018; 73:67-75. [PMID: 29268163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2017.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-of-life decisions (EoLDs) are very difficult to make. How parents and physicians incorporate quality of life (QoL) considerations into their end-of-life decision making (EoLDM) for children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) remains unknown. AIMS To determine which elements contribute to QoL according to parents and physicians, how QoL is incorporated into EoLDM and how parents and physicians discuss QoL considerations in the Netherlands. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the physicians and parents of 14 children with PIMD for whom an EoLD had been made within the past two years. RESULTS Parents and physicians agreed on the main elements that contribute to QoL in children with PIMD. The way in which QoL was incorporated differed slightly for different types of decisions. Parents and physicians rarely discussed elements contributing to the child's QoL when making EoLDS. CONCLUSIONS and Implications Although QoL was highly important during EoLDM for children with PIMD, parents and physicians did not fully explore the elements that contribute to the child's QoL when they made EoLDs. We recommend the development of a communication tool that will help parents and physicians discuss elements that contribute to QoL and the consequences these elements have for upcoming decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I H Zaal-Schuller
- Section of Medical Ethics, Department of General Practice, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - D L Willems
- Section of Medical Ethics, Department of General Practice, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - F V P M Ewals
- Intellectual Disability Medicine, Department of General Practice, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - J B van Goudoever
- Department of Paediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam & Department of Paediatrics, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - M A de Vos
- Section of Medical Ethics, Department of General Practice, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Wang L, Si L, Cocker F, Palmer AJ, Sanderson K. A Systematic Review of Cost-of-Illness Studies of Multimorbidity. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2018; 16:15-29. [PMID: 28856585 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-017-0346-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The economic burden of multimorbidity is considerable. This review analyzed the methods of cost-of-illness (COI) studies and summarized the economic outcomes of multimorbidity. METHODS A systematic review (2000-2016) was performed, which was registered with Prospero, reported according to PRISMA, and used a quality checklist adapted for COI studies. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed COI studies on multimorbidity, whereas the exclusion criterion was studies focusing on an index disease. Extracted data included the definition, measure, and prevalence of multimorbidity; the number of included health conditions; the age of study population; the variables used in the COI methodology; the percentage of multimorbidity vs. total costs; and the average costs per capita. RESULTS Among the 26 included articles, 14 defined multimorbidity as a simple count of 2 or more conditions. Methodologies used to derive the costs were markedly different. Given different healthcare systems, OOP payments of multimorbidity varied across countries. In the 17 and 12 studies with cut-offs of ≥2 and ≥3 conditions, respectively, the ratios of multimorbidity to non-multimorbidity costs ranged from 2-16 to 2-10. Among the ten studies that provided cost breakdowns, studies with and without a societal perspective attributed the largest percentage of multimorbidity costs to social care and inpatient care/medicine, respectively. CONCLUSION Multimorbidity was associated with considerable economic burden. Synthesising the cost of multimorbidity was challenging due to multiple definitions of multimorbidity and heterogeneity in COI methods. Count method was most popular to define multimorbidity. There is consistent evidence that multimorbidity was associated with higher costs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Wang
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research and University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Lei Si
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research and University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Fiona Cocker
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research and University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- School of Medicine and University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Andrew J Palmer
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research and University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kristy Sanderson
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research and University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Foster CC, Jacob-Files E, Arthur KC, Hillman SA, Edwards TC, Mangione-Smith R. Provider Perspectives of High-Quality Pediatric Hospital-to-Home Transitions for Children and Youth With Chronic Disease. Hosp Pediatr 2017; 7:649-659. [PMID: 29038132 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2017-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe health care providers' and hospital administrators' perspectives on how to improve pediatric hospital-to-home transitions for children and youth with chronic disease (CYCD). METHODS Focus groups and key informant interviews of inpatient attending physicians, primary care physicians, pediatric residents, nurses, care coordinators, and social workers were conducted at a tertiary care children's hospital. Key informant interviews were performed with hospital administrators. Semistructured questions were used to elicit perceptions of transitional care quality and to identify key structures and processes needed to improve transitional care outcomes. Transcripts of discussions were coded to identify emergent themes. RESULTS Participants (N = 22) reported that key structures needed to enhance transitional care were a multidisciplinary team, inpatient provider-patient continuity, hospital resource availability, an interoperative electronic health record, and availability of community resources. Key processes needed to achieve high-quality transitional care included setting individualized transition goals, involving parents in care planning, establishing parental competency with home care tasks, and consistently communicating with primary care physicians. Providers identified a lack of reliable roles and processes, insufficient assessment of patient and/or family psychosocial factors, and consistent 2-way communication with community providers as elements to target to improve transitional care outcomes for CYCD. CONCLUSIONS Many key structures and processes of care perceived as important to achieving high-quality transitional care outcomes for CYCD have the opportunity for improvement at the institution studied. Engaging key stakeholders in designing quality improvement interventions to address these deficits in the current care model may improve transitional care outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn C Foster
- Departments of Pediatrics and .,Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; and
| | - Elizabeth Jacob-Files
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; and
| | - Kimberly C Arthur
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; and
| | - Stephanie A Hillman
- Department of Patient and Family Experience, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Todd C Edwards
- Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rita Mangione-Smith
- Departments of Pediatrics and.,Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; and
| |
Collapse
|
60
|
Ananth P, Melvin P, Berry JG, Wolfe J. Trends in Hospital Utilization and Costs among Pediatric Palliative Care Recipients. J Palliat Med 2017; 20:946-953. [PMID: 28453361 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2016.0496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND Few previous studies have explored how pediatric palliative care (PPC) influences hospital utilization. We evaluated this among PPC recipients in a single center. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of 109 patients ≥2 years of age who received PPC consultation at a large quaternary children's hospital from April 2009 to September 2010. We assessed frequencies of hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) visits, use of intensive interventions, and hospital costs. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare outcomes in the two years before and after PPC consultation, stratifying by whether a patient survived two or more years following PPC enrollment. RESULTS Median age at PPC consultation was 13 years (interquartile range 6-18); 56.0% were male (n = 61), 69.7% white non-Hispanic (n = 76). Fifty-nine percent (n = 64) of patients died during the study period. Overall, annual hospital admission rates decreased from 4.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.0-5.4) before PPC consultation to 3.7 (95% CI 3.4-4.4) after (p = 0.025). Annual ED visits decreased from 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.2) to 0.6 (95% CI 0.4-0.8) (p = 0.030). Survivors had significantly decreased hospital admissions [rate ratio (RR) 0.57 (95% CI 0.45-0.73), p < 0.001] and ED visits [RR 0.33 (95% CI 0.20-0.54), p < 0.001]. Decedents had increased intensive care unit use (p = 0.029) but decreased operations (p = 0.002); survivors experienced no change in these outcomes after PPC consultation. Hospital costs remained stable for all (p = 0.929). DISCUSSION PPC involvement may contribute to decreased hospital and ED use, without escalating costs. These outcomes are most evident in survivors. Hence, PPC may have a measurable long-term impact on hospital use in seriously ill children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Ananth
- 1 Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center , Boston, Massachusetts.,6 Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patrice Melvin
- 2 Center for Patient Safety and Quality Research, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jay G Berry
- 3 Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.,5 Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.,6 Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- 4 Division of Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , Boston, Massachusetts.,5 Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.,6 Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
61
|
Berry JG, Glotzbecker M, Rodean J, Leahy I, Hall M, Ferrari L. Comorbidities and Complications of Spinal Fusion for Scoliosis. Pediatrics 2017; 139:peds.2016-2574. [PMID: 28153850 PMCID: PMC5330399 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-2574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES General pediatricians and hospitalists are increasingly summoned to optimize the comorbid conditions of children with medical complexity (CMC) undergoing major surgery. We assessed the relationship between specific chronic conditions of CMC and hospital resource use with spinal fusion for scoliosis, an operation with high cost and morbidity. METHODS Retrospective analysis of 7252 children age ≥5 years with an underlying complex chronic condition undergoing spinal fusion between January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2014 in 41 children's hospitals. Hospital length of stay (LOS), cost, and 30-day readmission rate were compared across comorbid conditions by using linear and logistic regression accounting for demographic characteristics and clustering of patients by hospital. RESULTS Fifty-nine percent of children had ≥4 comorbid conditions. As the number of chronic conditions increased from 1-3 to ≥10, median LOS increased 60% (5 [interquartile range (IQR), 4-7] to 8 [IQR, 5-13] days); median hospital cost increased 53% ($52 319 [IQR, $37 937-71 513] to $80 429 [IQR, $58 602-$111 965]); and readmission rates increased 293% (5.4% to 15.8%) (P < .001 for all). In multivariable analysis, conditions strongly associated with LOS and cost were chronic respiratory insufficiency (LOS: +2.1 days; cost: +$12 070; and bladder dysfunction (LOS: +0.8 days; cost: +$4014) (P < .001 for all). Readmission likelihood was highest with bladder dysfunction (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.0) and epilepsy (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.5). CONCLUSIONS Chronic respiratory insufficiency, bladder dysfunction, and epilepsy had significant associations with hospital resource use for CMC undergoing spinal fusion. Pediatricians, patients, and families may find it useful to consider these conditions when striving to benefit the children's perioperative health and outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jay G. Berry
- Complex Care Service, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine
| | | | | | - Izabela Leahy
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Matt Hall
- Children’s Hospital Association, Overland Park, Kansas
| | - Lynne Ferrari
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| |
Collapse
|
62
|
Rosenberg AR, Wolfe J, Wiener L, Lyon M, Feudtner C. Ethics, Emotions, and the Skills of Talking About Progressing Disease With Terminally Ill Adolescents: A Review. JAMA Pediatr 2016; 170:1216-1223. [PMID: 27749945 PMCID: PMC5636611 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.2142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE For clinicians caring for adolescent patients living with progressive, life-threatening illness, discussions regarding prognosis, goals of care, and treatment options can be extremely challenging. While clinicians should respect and help to facilitate adolescents' emerging autonomy, they often must also work with parents' wishes to protect patients from the emotional distress of hearing bad news. OBSERVATIONS We reviewed the ethical justifications for and against truth-telling, and we considered the published ethical and practice guidance, as well as the perspectives of patients, parents, and clinicians involved in these cases. We also explored particular challenges with respect to the cultural context, timing, and content of conversations at the end of adolescents' lives. In most cases, clinicians should gently but persistently engage adolescents directly in conversations about their disease prognosis and corresponding hopes, worries, and goals. These conversations need to occur multiple times, allowing significant time in each discussion for exploration of patient and family values. While truth-telling does not cause the types of harm that parents and clinicians may fear, discussing this kind of difficult news is almost always emotionally distressing. We suggest some "phrases that help" when clinicians strive to deepen understanding and facilitate difficult conversations with adolescents, parents, and other family members. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The pediatrician's opportunities to engage in difficult conversations about poor prognosis may be rare, but such conversations can be crucial. These discussions affect how patients live at the end of their lives, how they die, and how their families go on. Improved understanding of basic principles of communication, as well as augmented understanding of patient, family, and clinician perspectives may better enable us to navigate these important conversations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abby R. Rosenberg
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Seattle, Washington2Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington3Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts5Department of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lori Wiener
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Maureen Lyon
- Center for Translational Science, Children’s National Health System, Children’s Research Institute, Washington, DC8George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Chris Feudtner
- Pediatric Advanced Care Team and Department of Medical Ethics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania10Departments of Pediatrics, Medical Ethics, and Health Policy, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| |
Collapse
|
63
|
Lindley LC. Multiple Complex Chronic Conditions and Pediatric Hospice Utilization among California Medicaid Beneficiaries, 2007-2010. J Palliat Med 2016; 20:241-246. [PMID: 27797636 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2016.0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 42,000 children die each year in the United States, including many with multiple complex chronic conditions (MCCCs), but little is known about whether the presence of MCCCs influences families to utilize pediatric hospice care. OBJECTIVE The study objective was to examine the relationship between MCCCs and pediatric hospice utilization among Medicaid beneficiaries. METHODS A retrospective, longitudinal cohort design was conducted with 2007-2010 California Medicaid data to examine the relationship between MCCCs (i.e., two or more MCCCs) and pediatric hospice utilization (i.e., hospice enrollment, hospice length of stay). Multivariate logistic regression with year fixed effects examined the effect of MCCCs on hospice enrollment, and negative binomial model with year fixed effects explored the relationship between MCCCs and hospice length of stay. RESULTS More than 10% of children enrolled in hospice care with an average length of stay of approximately three days. In the study sample, 48.6% of the children had MCCCs. MCCCs were not significantly related to hospice enrollment. However, children with MCCCs (incidence rate ratios = 4.25, p < 0.01) were associated with an increase in the number of days in hospice care. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that children with MCCCs have limited hospice care utilization at end of life. Future research is needed to explore barriers to hospice care for children with MCCCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa C Lindley
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee
| |
Collapse
|
64
|
Caring for Long-Stay Critically Ill Children and Infants Refers Back to the Fundamentals of Patient- and Family-Centered Care. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2016; 17:575-6. [PMID: 27261652 DOI: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000000746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
65
|
|