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Handley SC, Salazar EG, Kunz SN, Lorch SA, Edwards EM. Transfer Patterns Among Infants Born at 28 to 34 Weeks' Gestation. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023063118. [PMID: 38268423 PMCID: PMC10827647 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-063118] [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] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although postnatal transfer patterns among high-risk (eg, extremely preterm or surgical) infants have been described, transfer patterns among lower-risk populations are unknown. The objective was to examine transfer frequency, indication, timing, and trajectory among very and moderate preterm infants. METHODS Observational study of the US Vermont Oxford Network all NICU admissions database from 2016 to 2021 of inborn infants 280/7 to 346/7 weeks. Infants' first transfer was assessed by gestational age, age at transfer, reason for transfer, and transfer trajectory. RESULTS Across 467 hospitals, 294 229 infants were eligible, of whom 12 552 (4.3%) had an initial disposition of transfer. The proportion of infants transferred decreased with increasing gestational age (9.6% [n = 1415] at 28 weeks vs 2.4% [n = 2646] at 34 weeks) as did the median age at time of transfer (47 days [interquartile range 30-73] at 28 weeks vs 8 days [interquartile range 3-16] at 34 weeks). The median post menstrual age at transfer was 34 or 35 weeks across all gestational ages. The most common reason for transfer was growth or discharge planning (45.0%) followed by medical and diagnostic services (30.2%), though this varied by gestation. In this cohort, 42.7% of transfers were to a higher-level unit, 10.2% to a same-level unit, and 46.7% to a lower-level unit, with indication reflecting access to specific services. CONCLUSIONS Over 4% of very and moderate preterm infants are transferred. In this population, the median age of transfer is later and does not reflect immediate care needs after birth, but rather the provision of risk-appropriate care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C. Handley
- Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth G. Salazar
- Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah N. Kunz
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Scott A. Lorch
- Division of Neonatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Erika M. Edwards
- Vermont Oxford Network, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Pediatrics, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
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Veldman A, Krummer S, Schwabe D, Diefenbach M, Fischer D, Schmitt-Kästner S, Rohrbeck C, Pannu R. Safety and Feasibility of Long-Distance Aeromedical Transport of Neonates and Children in Fixed-Wing Air Ambulance. J Pediatr Intensive Care 2023; 12:235-242. [PMID: 37565016 PMCID: PMC10411161 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731681] [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: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In cases of critical injury or illness abroad, fixed-wing air ambulance aircraft is employed to repatriate children to their home country. Air ambulance aircraft also transport children to foreign countries for treatment not locally available and newborns back home that have been born prematurely abroad. In this retrospective observational study, we investigated demographics, feasibility, and safety and outcomes of long-distance and international aeromedical transport of neonates and children. The study included 167 pediatric patients, 56 of those preterm neonates. A total of 41 patients were ventilated, 45 requiring oxygen prior to the transport, 57 transferred from an intensive care unit (ICU), and 48 to an ICU. Patients were transported by using Learjet 31A, Learjet 45, Learjet 55, and Bombardier Challenger 604, with a median transport distance of 1,008 nautical miles (NM), median transport time of 04:45 hours (median flight time = 03:00 hours), flight time ≥8 hours in 15 flights, and transport time ≥8 hours in 29 missions. All transports were accompanied by a pediatric physician/nurse team. An increase in FiO 2 during the transport was documented in 47/167 patients (28%). Therapy escalation (other than increased oxygen) was reported in 18 patients, and technical adverse events in 3 patients. No patient required CPR or died during the transport. Clinical transport outcome was rated by the accompanying physician as unchanged in 163 transports, improved in 4, and deteriorated in none. In summary, international, long-distance transport of neonatal and pediatric patients performed by experienced and well-equipped transport teams is feasible. Neither major adverse events nor physician-rated clinical deteriorations were observed in this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Veldman
- Jetcall Air Ambulance, Idstein, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Vincenz Hospital, Limburg, Germany
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stefanie Krummer
- Jetcall Air Ambulance, Idstein, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Vincenz Hospital, Limburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Doris Fischer
- Jetcall Air Ambulance, Idstein, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Vincenz Hospital, Limburg, Germany
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Buss R, SenthilKumar G, Bouchard M, Bowder A, Marquart J, Cooke-Barber J, Vore E, Beals D, Raval M, Rich BS, Goldstein S, Van Arendonk K. Geographic barriers to children's surgical care: A systematic review of existing evidence. J Pediatr Surg 2022; 57:107-117. [PMID: 34963510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.11.024] [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: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ensuring that children have access to timely and appropriate surgical care is a vital component of comprehensive pediatric care. This study systematically reviews the existing evidence related to geographic barriers in children's surgery. METHODS Medline and Scopus databases were searched for any English language studies that examined associations between geographic burden (rural residence or distance to care) and a quantifiable outcome within pediatric surgical subspecialties. Two independent reviewers extracted data from each study. RESULTS From 6331 studies screened, 22 studies met inclusion criteria. Most studies were retrospective analyses and conducted in the U.S. or Canada (14 and three studies, respectively); five were conducted outside North America. In transplant surgery (seven studies), greater distance from a transplant center was associated with higher waitlist mortality prior to kidney and liver transplantation, although graft outcomes were generally similar. In congenital cardiac surgery (five studies), greater travel was associated with higher neonatal mortality and older age at surgery but not with post-operative outcomes. In general surgery (eight studies), rural residence was associated with increased rates of perforated appendicitis, higher frequency of negative appendectomy, and increased length of stay after appendectomy. In orthopedic surgery (one study), rurality was associated with decreased post-operative satisfaction. No evidence for disparate outcomes based upon distance or rurality was identified in neurosurgery (one study). CONCLUSIONS Substantial evidence suggests that geographic barriers impact the receipt of surgical care among children, particularly with regard to transplantation, congenital cardiac surgery, and appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radek Buss
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Gopika SenthilKumar
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Megan Bouchard
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Alexis Bowder
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - John Marquart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Jo Cooke-Barber
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, 3333 Burnet Ave. ML 2023, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Emily Vore
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University Medical Center, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Suite 2500, Huntington, WV 25701, United States
| | - Daniel Beals
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University Medical Center, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Suite 2500, Huntington, WV 25701, United States
| | - Mehul Raval
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Barrie S Rich
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cohen Children's Medical Center, 450 Lakeville Rd, North New Hyde Park, NY 11042, United States
| | - Seth Goldstein
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Kyle Van Arendonk
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States.
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Birth Location in Infants with Prenatally Diagnosed Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Pediatr Cardiol 2022; 43:301-307. [PMID: 34668072 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-021-02721-y] [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: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
There are conflicting data on how delivery location impacts outcomes in neonates with ductal-dependent heart disease. Our goal was to evaluate the impact of delivery location on hospital length of stay and survival in infants with prenatally diagnosed hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) after stage 1 palliation (S1P). A multicenter cohort study was performed utilizing the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative dataset for infants with prenatally diagnosed HLHS who underwent S1P from August 2016 to December 2018. Univariate comparisons of demographics, clinical, and outcome data were made and multivariable logistic regression was performed between groups stratified by distance from surgical center. A total of 790 patients from 33 centers were analyzed: 85% were born < 5 miles from the surgical center with 72% of those (486/673) born at the surgical center. Infants born < 5 miles from the surgical center were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to be male, white, full term, have no non-cardiac anomaly, and have commercial health insurance; they were significantly more likely to breastfeed pre-operatively, and less likely to have pre-operative cardiac catheterizations, pre-operative mechanical ventilation, or delayed surgery. There was no significant difference between groups in hospital length of stay, 30-day survival, or survival to hospital discharge. In this multicenter dataset, hospital length of stay and survival after S1P did not differ based on distance from birth location to surgical center. However, neonates born < 5 miles from the surgical center had lower rates of potentially modifiable pre-operative risk factors including mechanical ventilation and delays to surgery.
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Purkey NJ, Ma C, Lee HC, Hintz SR, Shaw GM, McElhinney DB, Carmichael SL. Timing of Transfer and Mortality in Neonates with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome in California. Pediatr Cardiol 2021; 42:906-917. [PMID: 33533967 PMCID: PMC7857096 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-021-02561-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Maternal race/ethnicity is associated with mortality in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). We investigated whether maternal race/ethnicity and other sociodemographic factors affect timing of transfer after birth and whether timing of transfer impacts mortality in infants with HLHS. We linked two statewide databases, the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative and records from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, to identify cases of HLHS born between 1/1/06 and 12/31/11. Cases were divided into three groups: birth at destination hospital, transfer on day of life 0-1 ("early transfer"), or transfer on day of life ≥ 2 ("late transfer"). We used log-binomial regression models to estimate relative risks (RR) for timing of transfer and Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for mortality. We excluded infants who died within 60 days of life without intervention from the main analyses of timing of transfer, since intervention may not have been planned in these infants. Of 556 cases, 107 died without intervention (19%) and another 52 (9%) died within 28 days. Of the 449 included in analyses of timing of transfer, 28% were born at the destination hospital, 49% were transferred early, and 23% were transferred late. Late transfer was more likely for infants of low birthweight (RR 1.74) and infants born to US-born Hispanic (RR 1.69) and black (RR 2.45) mothers. Low birthweight (HR 1.50), low 5-min Apgar score (HR 4.69), and the presence of other major congenital anomalies (HR 3.41), but not timing of transfer, predicted neonatal mortality. Late transfer was more likely in neonates born to US-born Hispanic and black mothers but was not associated with higher mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha J. Purkey
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Chen Ma
- Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Henry C. Lee
- Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Susan R. Hintz
- Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Gary M. Shaw
- Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Doff B. McElhinney
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA ,Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Suzan L. Carmichael
- Division of Neonatology and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA ,Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
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Johnson JT, Scholtens DM, Kuang A, Feng XY, Eltayeb OM, Post LA, Marino BS. Does Value Vary by Center Surgical Volume for Neonates With Truncus Arteriosus? A Multicenter Study. Ann Thorac Surg 2020; 112:170-177. [PMID: 32768429 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.05.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Truncus arteriosus is a congenital heart defect with high resource use, cost, and mortality. Value assessment (outcome relative to cost) can improve quality of care and decrease cost. This study hypothesized that truncus arteriosus repair at a high-volume center would result in better outcomes at lower cost (higher value) compared with a low-volume center. METHODS This study retrospectively analyzed a multicenter cohort of neonates undergoing truncus arteriosus repair (2004 to 2015) by using the Pediatric Health Information Systems database. Multivariate quantile, logistic, and negative binomial regression models were used to evaluate total hospital cost, in-hospital mortality, ventilation days, intensive care unit length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and days of inotropic agent use by center volume (high-volume >3/year) and age at repair while adjusting for sex, ethnicity, race, genetic abnormality, prematurity, low birth weight, concurrent interrupted arch repair, and truncal valve repair. RESULTS Of 1024 neonates with truncus arteriosus, 495 (48%) were treated at high-volume centers. Costs at the 75th percentile were lower at high-volume vs low-volume centers by $28,456 (P = .02) at all ages at repair. Patients at high-volume centers had lower median postoperative ventilation days (5 days vs 6 days; P < .001), intensive care unit LOS (13 days vs 19 days; P < .001), hospital LOS (23 days vs 28 days; P = .02), and inotropic agent use (3 days vs 4 days; P = .004). In-hospital mortality did not differ by center volume. CONCLUSIONS In neonates undergoing truncus arteriosus repair, costs are lower and outcomes are better at high-volume centers, thus resulting in higher value at all ages of repair. Value-based interventions should be considered to improve outcomes and decrease cost in truncus arteriosus care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce T Johnson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Denise M Scholtens
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alan Kuang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Xiang Yu Feng
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Osama M Eltayeb
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lori A Post
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Bradley S Marino
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Louis C, Swartz MF, Simon BV, Cholette JM, Atallah-Yunes N, Wang H, Gensini F, Alfieris GM. Modified Repair of Type I and II Truncus Arteriosus Limits Early Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reoperation. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018; 30:199-204. [DOI: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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