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Balbale SN, Cho M, Raval MV, Close SM. Role of patient and family engagement in quality improvement for pediatric surgery. Semin Pediatr Surg 2023; 32:151281. [PMID: 37094531 DOI: 10.1016/j.sempedsurg.2023.151281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, the role of quality improvement (QI) in pediatric surgery has grown substantially. Patient and family engagement can help to maximize the impact of QI by enhancing safety and patient outcomes. Yet, broader, systematic efforts to actively involve patients and families in QI initiatives remain a persistent gap in pediatric surgery. To address this gap, we propose an agenda centered on three key goals for future quality improvement efforts: (1) building partnerships with patients and their families; (2) expanding the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and novel, cross-disciplinary research methods; and (3) engaging patients and families consistently across all stages of pediatric surgical care. Fulfilling this agenda will be essential in shifting our mindset to view QI as a collective that involves patients, families, clinicians, and payers in continuous, system-wide opportunities to evaluate and improve care. Actively listening to and collaborating with patients and families may also help renew our focus on narrowing the gap between current practice and the best possible practice for children undergoing surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salva N Balbale
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine; Department of Medical Social Sciences; Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Department of Surgery; & Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Institute of Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Health Services Research & Development, Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL.
| | | | - Mehul V Raval
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Sharron M Close
- Department of Pediatric Advanced Practice Nursing, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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Close S, Blake SC, Davis TT, Balbale SN, Perry JE, Weingard R, Ingram MC, Schäfer W, Strople J, Raval MV. Implementation of Enhanced Recovery Protocols for Gastrointestinal Surgery in Children: Practical Tools From Key Stakeholders. J Surg Res 2023; 284:204-212. [PMID: 36586313 PMCID: PMC9911379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.11.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We explored patient, caregiver, and provider recommendations for development of a tool kit to implement enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) for pediatric patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. ERPs are widely used for adults to decrease hospital length of stay, hospital costs, and complications while hastening patient recovery after surgery. With limited data available for ERPs among pediatric populations informed modification of adult ERPs is needed to facilitate successful implementation for pediatric surgery. METHODS Using a qualitative research design, semistructured interviews were conducted with hospital-based teams including surgeons, anesthesiologists, gastroenterologists, nursing, and physician assistants. Four in-person focus groups were held at two pediatric hospitals with patients and caregivers. Codes were developed and applied to interview and focus groups transcripts for structural content analysis. Thematic analysis guided by the Active Implementation Framework, included recommendations that informed ERP implementation tool kit development. RESULTS Key components of the ERP tool kit included the need for a structured and systematic approach, leadership support from key champions, and buy-in from surgical partners and hospital management. Providers identified the need for multimodal educational materials on ERP elements for staff and patients; use of uniform checklists, care sets and an electronic repository to collect outcome data for quality assurance assessment. Patients and caregivers endorsed expansion of the team to include child-life specialists, nutritionists, and patient-parent supporters to help navigate the surgical experience. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to leverage key input from patients, caregivers, and providers to identify practical components for an ERP implementation tool kit for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharron Close
- Department of Pediatric Advanced Practice Nursing, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Sarah C Blake
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Teaniese Tina Davis
- Center for Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Salva N Balbale
- Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Institute of Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Joseph E Perry
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Reed Weingard
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Martha-Conley Ingram
- Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Institute of Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Willemijn Schäfer
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jennifer Strople
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mehul V Raval
- Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Institute of Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Smith CJ, Raval MV, Simon MA, Henry MCW. Addressing pediatric surgical health inequities through quality improvement efforts. Semin Pediatr Surg 2023; 32:151280. [PMID: 37147217 DOI: 10.1016/j.sempedsurg.2023.151280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Concepts of healthcare quality and health equity should be inextricably linked but are often pursued separately. Quality improvement (QI) can serve as a powerful means to eliminate health inequities by adopting an equity-focused lens to diagnose and address baseline disparities among pediatric populations using targeted interventions. QI and pediatric surgery practitioners should integrate concepts of equity at every stage of formulating a QI project including conceptualization, planning, and execution. Early adaptation of an equity conscious perspective using QI methodology can prevent exacerbation of preexisting disparities while improving overall outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charesa J Smith
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery, Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Mehul V Raval
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, & Education in Surgery, Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Melissa A Simon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Health Equity Transformation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marion C W Henry
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Davis TL, Schäfer WLA, Blake SC, Close S, Balbale SN, Perry JE, Zarate RP, Ingram M, Strople J, Johnson JK, Holl JL, Raval MV. A qualitative examination of barriers and facilitators of pediatric enhanced recovery protocol implementation among 18 pediatric surgery services. Implement Sci Commun 2022; 3:91. [PMID: 35982503 PMCID: PMC9389824 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-022-00329-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) are an evidence-based intervention to optimize post-surgical recovery. Several studies have demonstrated that the use of an ERP for gastrointestinal surgery results in decreased length of stay, shortened time to a regular diet, and fewer administered opioids, while also trending toward lower complication and 30-day readmission rates. Yet, implementation of ERPs in pediatric surgery is lagging compared to adult surgery. The study’s purpose was to conduct a theory-guided evaluation of barriers and facilitators to ERP implementation at US hospitals with a pediatric surgery service. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews at 18 hospitals with 48 participants, including pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, gastroenterologists, nurses, and physician assistants. Interviews were conducted online, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. To identify barriers and facilitators to ERP implementation, we conducted an analysis using deductive logics based on the five Active Implementation Frameworks (AIFs). Results Effective practices (usable innovations) were challenged by a lack of compliance to ERP elements, and facilitators were having standardized protocols in place and organization support for implementation. Effective implementation (stages of implementation and implementation drivers) had widespread barriers to implementation across the stages from exploration to full implementation. Barriers included needing dedicated teams for ERP implementation and buy-in from hospital leadership. These items, when present, were strong facilitators of effective implementation, in addition to on-site, checklists, protected time to oversee ERP implementation, and order sets for ERP elements built into the electronic medical record. The enabling context (teams) focused on teams’ engagement in ERP implementation and how they collaborated to implement ERPs. Barriers included having surgical team members resistant to change or who were not bought into ERPs in pediatric practice. Facilitators included engaging a multi-disciplinary team and engaging patients and families early in the implementation process. Conclusions Barriers to ERP implementation in pediatric surgery highlighted can be addressed through providing guidelines to ERP implementation, team-based support for change management, and protocols for developing an ERP implementation team. Future steps are to apply and evaluate these strategies in a stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial to increase the implementation of ERPs at these 18 hospitals.
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