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Amjad S, Tromburg C, Adesunkanmi M, Mawa J, Mahbub N, Campbell S, Chari R, Rowe BH, Ospina MB. Social Determinants of Health and Pediatric Emergency Department Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Ann Emerg Med 2024; 83:291-313. [PMID: 38069966 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Social determinants of health contribute to disparities in pediatric health and health care. Our objective was to synthesize and evaluate the evidence on the association between social determinants of health and emergency department (ED) outcomes in pediatric populations. METHODS This review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Equity Extension guidelines. Observational epidemiological studies were included if they examined at least 1 social determinant of health from the PROGRESS-Plus framework in relation to ED outcomes among children <18 years old. Effect direction plots were used for narrative results and pooled odds ratios (pOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for meta-analyses. RESULTS Fifty-eight studies were included, involving 17,275,090 children and 103,296,839 ED visits. Race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status were the most reported social determinants of health (71% each). Black children had 3 times the odds of utilizing the ED (pOR 3.16, 95% CI 2.46 to 4.08), whereas visits by Indigenous children increased the odds of departure prior to completion of care (pOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.39 to 1.80) compared to White children. Public insurance, low income, neighborhood deprivation, and proximity to an ED were also predictors of ED utilization. Children whose caregivers had a preferred language other than English had longer length of stay and increased hospital admission. CONCLUSION Social determinants of health, particularly race, socioeconomic deprivation, proximity to an ED, and language, play important roles in ED care-seeking patterns of children and families. Increased utilization of ED services by children from racial minority and lower socioeconomic status groups may reflect barriers to health insurance and access to health care, including primary and subspecialty care, and/or poorer overall health, necessitating ED care. An intersectional approach is needed to better understand the trajectories of disparities in pediatric ED outcomes and to develop, implement, and evaluate future policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Amjad
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Courtney Tromburg
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maryam Adesunkanmi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jannatul Mawa
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nazif Mahbub
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sandra Campbell
- John W. Scott Health Sciences Library, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Radha Chari
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brian H Rowe
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maria B Ospina
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University; Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
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Collins ME, Hall M, Shah SS, Molloy MJ, Aronson PL, Cotter JM, Steiner MJ, McCoy E, Tchou MJ, Stephens JR, Markham JL. Phlebotomy-free days in children hospitalized with common infections and their association with clinical outcomes. J Hosp Med 2024; 19:251-258. [PMID: 38348499 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13282] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phlebotomy for hospitalized children has consequences (e.g., pain, iatrogenic anemia), and unnecessary testing is a modifiable source of waste in healthcare. Days without blood draws or phlebotomy-free days (PFDs) has the potential to serve as a hospital quality measure. OBJECTIVE To describe: (1) the frequency of PFDs in children hospitalized with common infections and (2) the association of PFDs with clinical outcomes. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS We performed a cross-sectional study of children hospitalized 2018-2019 with common infections at 38 hospitals using the Pediatric Health Information System database. We included infectious All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Groups with a median length of stay (LOS) >2 days. We excluded patients with medical complexity, interhospital transfers, those receiving intensive care, and in-hospital mortality. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES We defined PFDs as hospital days (midnight to midnight) without laboratory blood testing and measured the proportion of PFDs divided by total hospital LOS (PFD ratio) for each condition and hospital. Higher PFD ratios signify more days without phlebotomy. Hospitals were grouped into low, moderate, and high average PFD ratios. Adjusted outcomes (LOS, costs, and readmissions) were compared across groups. RESULTS We identified 126,135 encounters. Bronchiolitis (0.78) and pneumonia (0.54) had the highest PFD ratios (most PFDs), while osteoarticular infections (0.28) and gastroenteritis (0.30) had the lowest PFD ratios. There were no differences in adjusted clinical outcomes across PFD ratio groups. Among children hospitalized with common infections, PFD ratios varied across conditions and hospitals, with no association with outcomes. Our data suggest overuse of phlebotomy and opportunities to improve the care of hospitalized children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Collins
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Matt Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas, USA
| | - Samir S Shah
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew J Molloy
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Paul L Aronson
- Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jillian M Cotter
- University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Elisha McCoy
- Department of Pediatrics, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michael J Tchou
- University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - John R Stephens
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jessica L Markham
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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Liang D, House SA, Moriates C. Improving healthcare value: The need to explicitly address equity in high-value care. J Hosp Med 2024; 19:316-319. [PMID: 38230886 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13280] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Danni Liang
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Samantha A House
- Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth Health Children's, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Christopher Moriates
- Department of Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Costs of Care, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Totapally BR, Martinez PA, Sendi P, Sachdeva R. Racial Inequities in Mortality Rate in Hospitalized Children. J Natl Med Assoc 2024; 116:56-69. [PMID: 38151422 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnma.2023.12.004] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Racial/ethnic inequities for inpatient mortality in children at a national level in the U.S. have not been explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in inpatient mortality rate among different racial/ethnic groups, using the Kids' Inpatient Database. METHODS A cross-sectional study of children of ages greater than 28 days and less than 21 years discharged during 2012 and 2016. Racial/ethnic groups - White, Black, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander and Native Americans were analyzed in two cohorts, Cohort A (all discharges) and Cohort B (ventilated children). RESULTS A total of 4,247,604 and 79,116 discharges were included in cohorts A and B, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the inpatient mortality rate was highest among Asian and Pacific Islander children for both cohorts: A (0.47% [0.42-0.51]), B (10.9% [9.8-12.1]). Regression analysis showed that Asian and Pacific Islander and Black children had increased odds of inpatient mortality compared to White children: A (1.319 [1.162-1.496], 1.178 [1.105-1.257], respectively) and B (1.391 [1.199-1.613], 1.163 [1.079-1.255], respectively). Population-based hospital mortality was highest in Black children (1.17 per 10,000 children). CONCLUSIONS Inpatient mortality rates are significantly higher in U.S. children of Asian and Pacific Islander and Black races compared to White children. U.S. population-based metrics such as hospitalization rate, ventilation rate, and hospital mortality rate are highest in Black children. Our data suggest that lower median household income alone may not account for a higher inpatient mortality rate. The causes and prevention of racial and ethnic inequities in hospitalized children need to be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balagangadhar R Totapally
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, 3100 SW 62nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33155, United States; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199. United States.
| | - Paul A Martinez
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, 3100 SW 62nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33155, United States; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199. United States
| | - Prithvi Sendi
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, 3100 SW 62nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33155, United States; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199. United States
| | - Ramesh Sachdeva
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, 3100 SW 62nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33155, United States; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199. United States
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Slopen N, Chang AR, Johnson TJ, Anderson AT, Bate AM, Clark S, Cohen A, Jindal M, Karbeah J, Pachter LM, Priest N, Suglia SF, Bryce N, Fawcett A, Heard-Garris N. Racial and ethnic inequities in the quality of paediatric care in the USA: a review of quantitative evidence. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2024; 8:147-158. [PMID: 38242597 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(23)00251-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Racial and ethnic inequities in paediatric care have received increased research attention over the past two decades, particularly in the past 5 years, alongside an increased societal focus on racism. In this Series paper, the first in a two-part Series focused on racism and child health in the USA, we summarise evidence on racial and ethnic inequities in the quality of paediatric care. We review studies published between Jan 1, 2017 and July 31, 2022, that are adjusted for or stratified by insurance status to account for group differences in access, and we exclude studies in which differences in access are probably driven by patient preferences or the appropriateness of intervention. Overall, the literature reveals widespread patterns of inequitable treatment across paediatric specialties, including neonatology, primary care, emergency medicine, inpatient and critical care, surgery, developmental disabilities, mental health care, endocrinology, and palliative care. The identified studies indicate that children from minoritised racial and ethnic groups received poorer health-care services relative to non-Hispanic White children, with most studies drawing on data from multiple sites, and accounting for indicators of family socioeconomic position and clinical characteristics (eg, comorbidities or condition severity). The studies discussed a range of potential causes for the observed disparities, including implicit biases and differences in site of care or clinician characteristics. We outline priorities for future research to better understand and address paediatric treatment inequities and implications for practice and policy. Policy changes within and beyond the health-care system, discussed further in the second paper of this Series, are essential to address the root causes of treatment inequities and to promote equitable and excellent health for all children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Slopen
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Andrew R Chang
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ashaunta T Anderson
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aleha M Bate
- Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research, and Evaluation Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Stanely Manne Children's Research Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shawnese Clark
- Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research, and Evaluation Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Stanely Manne Children's Research Institute, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alyssa Cohen
- Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research, and Evaluation Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Monique Jindal
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J'Mag Karbeah
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lee M Pachter
- Institute for Research on Equity and Community Health, ChristianaCare, Wilmington, DE, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; School of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Naomi Priest
- Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Population Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Shakira F Suglia
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nessa Bryce
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea Fawcett
- Department of Clinical and Organizational Development, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nia Heard-Garris
- Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research, and Evaluation Center, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Rosen RH, Monuteaux MC, Stack AM, Michelson KA, Fine AM. Impact of a Bronchiolitis Clinical Pathway on Management Decisions by Preferred Language. Pediatr Qual Saf 2024; 9:e714. [PMID: 38322294 PMCID: PMC10843310 DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical pathways standardize healthcare utilization, but their impact on healthcare equity is poorly understood. This study aims to measure the effect of a bronchiolitis pathway on management decisions by preferred language for care. Methods We included all emergency department encounters for patients aged 1-12 months with bronchiolitis from 1/1/2010 to 10/31/2020. The prepathway period ended 10/31/2011, and the postpathway period was 1/1/2012-10/31/2020. We performed retrospective interrupted time series analyses to assess the impact of the clinical pathway by English versus non-English preferred language on the following outcomes: chest radiography (CXR), albuterol use, 7-day return visit, 72-hour return to admission, antibiotic use, and corticosteroid use. Analyses were adjusted for presence of a complex chronic condition. Results There were 1485 encounters in the preperiod (77% English, 14% non-English, 8% missing) and 7840 encounters in the postperiod (79% English, 15% non-English, 6% missing). CXR, antibiotic, and albuterol utilization exhibited sustained decreases over the study period. Pathway impact did not differ by preferred language for any outcome except albuterol utilization. The prepost slope effect of albuterol utilization was 10% greater in the non-English versus the English group (p for the difference by language = 0.022). Conclusions A clinical pathway was associated with improvements in care regardless of preferred language. More extensive studies involving multiple pathways and care settings are needed to assess the impact of clinical pathways on health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H. Rosen
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Michael C. Monuteaux
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Anne M. Stack
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Kenneth A. Michelson
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Andrew M. Fine
- From the Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Mass
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Polich M, Mannino-Avila E, Edmunds M, Rungvivatjarus J, Patel A, Stucky-Fisher E, Rhee KE. Disparities in Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Hospitalized Children. Hosp Pediatr 2023; 13:1106-1114. [PMID: 38013511 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007283] [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: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common health care problem accounting for up to 200 000 pediatric hospitalizations annually. Previous studies show disparities in the management of children from different ethnic backgrounds presenting to the emergency department with AGE. Our aim was to evaluate whether differences in medical management also exist between Hispanic and non-Hispanic children hospitalized with AGE. METHODS We performed a single-center retrospective study of children aged 2 months to 12 years admitted to the pediatric hospital medicine service from January 2016 to December 2020 with a diagnosis of (1) acute gastroenteritis or (2) dehydration with feeding intolerance, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Differences in clinical pathway use, diagnostic studies performed, and medical interventions ordered were compared between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients. RESULTS Of 512 admissions, 54.9% were male, 51.6% were Hispanic, and 59.2% were on Medicaid. There was no difference between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients in reported nausea or vomiting at admission, pathway use, or laboratory testing including stool studies. However, after adjusting for covariates, Hispanic patients had more ultrasound scans performed (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.64) and fewer orders for antiemetics (odds ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.95) than non-Hispanic patients. CONCLUSIONS Although there were no differences in many aspects of AGE management between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients, there was still variability in ultrasound scans performed and antiemetics ordered, despite similarities in reported abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Prospective and/or qualitative studies may be needed to clarify underlying reasons for these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Polich
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, and University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Elizabeth Mannino-Avila
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, and University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Michelle Edmunds
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, and University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Jane Rungvivatjarus
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, and University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Aarti Patel
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, and University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Erin Stucky-Fisher
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, and University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Kyung E Rhee
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, and University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
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Rogo T, Holland S. Impact of health disparity on pediatric infections. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2023; 36:394-398. [PMID: 37466089 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000944] [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: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the health disparities among minoritized children due to structural racism and socioeconomic inequalities. This review discusses how health disparities affect pediatric infections and how they can be addressed. RECENT FINDINGS In addition to disparities in healthcare access due to poverty, geography, and English-language proficiency, implicit and explicit bias affects the healthcare quality and subsequent outcomes in children and adolescents with infections. Disparities in clinical trial enrollment affect the generalizability of research findings. Physicians who understand their patients' languages and the contexts of culture and socioeconomic conditions are better equipped to address the needs of specific populations and the health disparities among them. SUMMARY Addressing disparities in pediatric infections requires prioritization of efforts to increase physician workforce diversity in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, as well as education in bias reduction and culturally sensitive clinical practice, in addition to socioeconomic interventions that improve healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Rogo
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Markham JL, Richardson T, Stephens JR, Gay JC, Hall M. Essential Concepts for Reducing Bias in Observational Studies. Hosp Pediatr 2023; 13:e234-e239. [PMID: 37416975 PMCID: PMC10527895 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007116] [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: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard study design for clinical research, as prospective randomization, at least in theory, balances any differences that can exist between groups (including any differences not measured as part of the study) and isolates the studied treatment effect. Any remaining imbalances after randomization are attributable to chance. However, there are many barriers to conducting RCTs within pediatric populations, including lower disease prevalence, high costs, inadequate funding, and additional regulatory requirements. Researchers thus frequently use observational study designs to address many research questions. Observational studies, whether prospective or retrospective, do not involve randomization and thus have more potential for bias when compared with RCTs because of imbalances that can exist between comparison groups. If these imbalances are associated with both the exposure of interest and the outcome, then failure to account for these imbalances may result in a biased conclusion. Understanding and addressing differences in sociodemographic and/or clinical characteristics within observational studies are thus necessary to reduce bias. Within this Method/ology submission we describe techniques to minimize bias by controlling for important measurable covariates within observational studies and discuss the challenges and opportunities in addressing specific variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Markham
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas
| | | | - John R. Stephens
- Department of Medicine, North Carolina Children’s Hospital, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - James C. Gay
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Monroe Carrell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Matt Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Children’s Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas
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Overmann KM, Porter SC, Zhang Y, Britto MT. Caregiver Quality of Life During Pediatric Influenza-Like Illness: A Cross-Sectional Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Patient Exp 2023; 10:23743735231188840. [PMID: 37528955 PMCID: PMC10388629 DOI: 10.1177/23743735231188840] [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] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to quantify the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers with children with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and to identify factors associated with worse QoL. This was a cross-sectional cohort study of caregivers in a pediatric emergency department with previously healthy young children with ILI. The primary outcome was caregiver QoL. Additional measures included health literacy, social support, and caregiver health status. Two hundred and eighty-one caregivers completed the study. And 41% reported overall QoL was worse during their child's illness. The median QoL score was 3.8 [3.1, 4.6] in a 7-point scale. Illness duration was associated with worse overall QoL score (0.128 worse for each additional day of illness). The median emotions domain score was 2.5 [1.5, 4.0], the worst of any domain. Caregivers who perceived worse illness severity had lower emotions domain scores (2.61 vs 6.00, P = .0269). Caregivers with adequate literacy had lower mean QoL scores (3.08 vs 4.44, P < .0001). Childhood illnesses worsen caregiver QoL. Factors associated with worse QoL were perception of illness severity and duration. Addressing caregiver QoL could mitigate the impact of childhood acute illnesses on caregiver wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Overmann
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stephen C Porter
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yin Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Maria T Britto
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Vukovic AA, Krentz C, Gauthier A, Harun N, Porter SC. The Association of Emergency Severity Index Score and Patient and Family Experience in a Pediatric Emergency Department. J Patient Exp 2023; 10:23743735231179040. [PMID: 37469553 PMCID: PMC10353023 DOI: 10.1177/23743735231179040] [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] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aim was to determine the relationship between a patient's Emergency Severity Index (ESI) score and their or their family's response to the key performance indicator (KPI) question on the post-visit patient and family experience (PFE) survey. Retrospective review of patients presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, who completed the KPI question on an associated post-visit survey. We performed univariate analyses on all candidate variables; multivariable linear regression identified independent predictors of KPI on the PFE survey. A total of 8136 patients were included in the study. Although ESI score was significantly associated with PFE in univariate analysis, this association was lost in the multivariable model. Independent associations were appreciated with race/ethnicity, time to provider, length of stay, and procedure performance during the visit. Although ESI is not independently associated with PFE in this study, its interaction with factors such as time to provider, length of stay, and procedure performance may be important for emergency department providers creating interventions to impact experience during low acuity visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam A Vukovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Callie Krentz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Abigail Gauthier
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nusrat Harun
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stephen C Porter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Dickerson-Young T, Uspal NG, Prince WB, Qu P, Klein EJ. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Ondansetron Use for Acute Gastroenteritis in Children. Pediatr Emerg Care 2022; 38:380-385. [PMID: 35353794 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002610] [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: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is limited research examining racial/ethnic disparities in antiemetic use for acute gastroenteritis (AGE). We assessed racial/ethnic differences in the care of children with AGE. METHODS The Pediatric Health Information System was used to conduct a retrospective cohort study of children 6 months to 6 years old with AGE seen in participating emergency departments from 2016 to 2018. Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. The primary outcome was administration of ondansetron, secondary outcomes were administration of intravenous (IV) fluids and hospitalization, and primary predictor was race/ethnicity. Multivariable logistic regression followed by a mixed model adjusted for sex, age, insurance, and hospital to examine the association of race/ethnicity with each outcome. RESULTS There were 78,019 encounters included; 24.8% of patients were non-Hispanic White (NHW), 29.0% non-Hispanic Black (NHB), 37.3% Hispanic, and 8.9% other non-Hispanic (NH) race/ethnicity. Compared with NHW patients, minority children were more likely to receive ondansetron (NHB: adjusted odds ratio, 1.36 [95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.55]; Hispanic: 1.26 [1.1-1.44]; other NH: 1.22 [1.07-1.4]). However, minority children were less likely to receive IV fluids (NHB: 0.38 [0.33-0.43]; Hispanic: 0.44 [0.36-0.53]; other NH: 0.51 [0.44-0.61]) or hospital admission (NHB: 0.37 [0.29-0.48]; Hispanic: 0.41 [0.33-0.5]; other NH: 0.52 [0.41-0.66]). Ondansetron use by hospital ranged from 73% to 95%. CONCLUSIONS This large database analysis of emergency departments around the nation found that NHW patients were less likely to receive ondansetron but more likely to receive IV fluids and hospital admission than minority patients. These findings are likely multifactorial and may represent bias, social determinants of health, access to care, or illness severity among other possible causes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pingping Qu
- Biostatistics Epidemiology and Analytics in Research (BEAR), Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
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Johnson TJ. Antiracism, Black Lives Matter, and Critical Race Theory: The ABCs of Promoting Racial Equity in Pediatric Practice. Pediatr Ann 2022; 51:e95-e106. [PMID: 35293809 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20220217-01] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Police shootings of unarmed Black men, women, and children at the intersection of disparities in the setting of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have resulted in a long overdue national awakening regarding race and racism in society. This article defines some of the key terms, providing a foundation to help promote equity in pediatric practice. Although no single article can result in full competency regarding such complex issues, it is meant to provide a foundation for pediatricians on a journey to deepen their knowledge and understanding toward a path to action. [Pediatr Ann. 2022;51(3):e95-e106.].
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Gutman CK, Holmes S, Balhara KS. Low-value care in pediatric populations: There is no silver lining. Acad Emerg Med 2022; 29:804-807. [PMID: 35212441 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Colleen K. Gutman
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Sherita Holmes
- Department of Pediatrics Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USA
- Division of Emergency Medicine Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Atlanta Georgia USA
| | - Kamna S. Balhara
- Department of Emergency Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
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Li J, Ramgopal S, Marin JR. Racial and ethnic differences in low-value pediatric emergency care. Acad Emerg Med 2022; 29:698-709. [PMID: 35212440 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disparities in health care quality frequently focus on underuse. We evaluated racial/ethnic differences in low-value services delivered in the pediatric emergency department (ED). METHODS We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of low-value services in children discharged from 39 pediatric EDs from January 2018 to December 2019 using the Pediatric Hospital Information System. Our primary outcome was receipt of one of 12 low-value services across nine conditions, including chest radiography in asthma and bronchiolitis; beta-agonist and corticosteroids in bronchiolitis; laboratory testing and neuroimaging in febrile seizure; neuroimaging in afebrile seizure; head injury and headache; and any imaging in sinusitis, constipation, and facial trauma. We analyzed the association of race/ethnicity on receipt of low-value services using generalized linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, weekend, hour of presentation, payment, year, household income, and distance from hospital. RESULTS We included 4,676,802 patients. Compared with non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients, non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic patients had lower adjusted odds (aOR [95% confidence interval]) of receiving imaging for asthma (0.60 [0.56 to 0.63] NHB; 0.84 [0.79 to 0.89] Hispanic), bronchiolitis (0.84 [0.79 to 0.89] NHB; 0.93 [0.88 to 0.99] Hispanic), head injury (0.84 [0.80 to 0.88] NHB; 0.80 [0.76 to 0.84] Hispanic), headache (0.67 [0.63 to 0.72] NHB; 0.83 [0.78 to 0.88] Hispanic), and constipation (0.71 [0.67 to 0.74] NHB; 0.76 [0.72 to 0.80] Hispanic). NHB patients had lower odds (95% CI) of receiving imaging for afebrile seizures (0.89 [0.8 to 1.0]) and facial trauma (0.69 [0.60 to 0.80]). Hispanic patients had lower odds (95% CI) of imaging (0.57 [0.36 to 0.90]) and blood testing (0.82 [0.69 to 0.98]) for febrile seizures. NHB patients had higher odds (95% CI) of receiving steroids (1.11 [1.00 to 1.21]) and beta-agonists (1.38 [1.24 to 1.54]) for bronchiolitis compared with NHW patients. CONCLUSIONS NHW patients more frequently receive low-value imaging while NHB patients more frequently receive low-value medications for bronchiolitis. Our study demonstrates the differences in care across race and ethnicity extend to many services, including those of low value. These findings highlight the importance of greater understanding of the complex interaction of race and ethnicity with clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Li
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Sriram Ramgopal
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Jennifer R. Marin
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
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Coon ER, Schroeder AR, Lion KC, Ray KN. Disparities by Ethnicity in Enrollment of a Clinical Trial. Pediatrics 2022; 149:184500. [PMID: 35043194 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-052595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eric R Coon
- Department of Pediatrics, Primary Children's Hospital, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alan R Schroeder
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - K Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kristin N Ray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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