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Schuler CL, Kercsmar C, Mansour M, McDowell KM, Huang G, Hossain MM, Robinette ED, Beck AF. Identifying asthma-related risks during hospitalization using the child asthma risk assessment tool. J Asthma 2023; 60:2189-2197. [PMID: 37345884 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2023.2228897] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The Child Asthma Risk Assessment Tool (CARAT) identifies risk factors for asthma morbidity. We hypothesized that CARAT-identified risk factors (using a CARAT adapted for inpatient use) would be associated with future healthcare utilization and would identify areas for intervention.Methods: We reviewed CARAT data collected during pediatric asthma admissions from 2010-2015, assessing for risk factors in environmental, medical, and social domains and providing prompts for inpatient (specialist consultation or social services engagement) and post-discharge interventions (home care visit or home environmental assessment). Confirmatory factor analysis identified groups of CARAT-identified risk factors with similar effects on healthcare utilization (latent factors). Structural equation models then evaluated relationships between latent factors and future utilization.Results: There were 2731 unique patients admitted for asthma exacerbations; 1015 (37%) had complete CARAT assessments and were included in analyses. Those with incomplete CARAT assessments were more often younger and privately-insured. CARAT-identified risk factors across domains were common in children hospitalized for exacerbations. Risks in the environmental domain were most common. Inpatient asthma consults by pulmonologists or allergists and home care referrals were the most frequent interventions indicated (62%, 628/1015, and 50%, 510/1015, respectively). Two latent factors were positively associated with healthcare utilization in the year after index stay - social stressors and known/suspected allergies (both p < 0.05). Stratified analyses analyzing data just from those children with prior healthcare utilization also indicated known/suspected allergies to be positively associated with future utilization.Conclusions: Inpatient interventions to address social stressors and allergic profiles may be warranted to reduce subsequent asthma morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Schuler
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Carolyn Kercsmar
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Mona Mansour
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Karen M McDowell
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Guixia Huang
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Md Monir Hossain
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Eric D Robinette
- Division of Infectious Disease, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Andrew F Beck
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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2
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Ramsey RR, Noser A, McDowell KM, Sherman SN, Hommel KA, Guilbert TW. Children with uncontrolled asthma from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods: Needs assessment and the development of a school-based telehealth and electronic inhaler monitoring system. Pediatr Pulmonol 2023; 58:2249-2259. [PMID: 37194988 PMCID: PMC10524439 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children from economically disadvantaged communities often encounter healthcare access barriers, increasing risk for poorly controlled asthma and subsequent healthcare utilization. This highlights the need to identify novel intervention strategies for these families. OBJECTIVE To better understand the needs and treatment preferences for asthma management in children from economically disadvantaged communities and to develop a novel asthma management intervention based on an initial needs assessment and stakeholder feedback. METHODS Semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 19 children (10-17 years old) with uncontrolled asthma and their caregivers, 14 school nurses, 8 primary care physicians, and three school resource coordinators from economically disadvantaged communities. Interviews and focus groups were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim and then analyzed thematically to inform intervention development. Using stakeholder input, an intervention was developed for children with uncontrolled asthma and presented to participants for feedback to fully develop a novel intervention. RESULTS The needs assessment resulted in five themes: (1) barriers to quality asthma care, (2) poor communication across care providers, (3) problems identifying and managing symptoms and triggers among families, (4) difficulties with adherence, and (5) stigma. A proposed video-based telehealth intervention was proposed to stakeholders who provided favorable and informative feedback for the final development of the intervention for children with uncontrolled asthma. CONCLUSIONS Stakeholder input and feedback provided information critical to the development of a multicomponent (medical and behavioral) intervention in a school setting that uses technology to facilitate care, collaboration, and communication among key stakeholders to improve asthma management for children from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle R. Ramsey
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Amy Noser
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Karen M. McDowell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | | | - Kevin A. Hommel
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Theresa W. Guilbert
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
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3
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Cheng TL, Unaka NI, Nichols D. Crossing the Quality Chasm and the Ignored Pillar of Health Care Equity. Pediatr Clin North Am 2023; 70:855-861. [PMID: 37422318 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Although there has been tremendous progress toward the aspiration of delivering quality health care, among the National Academy of Medicine's (previously Institute of Medicine) six pillars of quality (health care should be safe, effective, timely, patient-centered, efficient, and equitable), the last pillar, equity, has been largely ignored. Examples of how the quality improvement (QI) process leads to improvements are numerous and must be applied to the pillar of equity related to race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. This article describes how equity should be addressed using the QI process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina L Cheng
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 3016, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
| | - Ndidi I Unaka
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 3016, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
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Abstract
Cross-sector partnerships are essential to ensure a safe and effective system of care for children, their caregivers, and communities. A "system of care" should have a well-defined population, vision, and measures shared by health care and community stakeholders, and an efficient modality for tracking progress toward better, more equitable outcomes. Effective partnerships could be clinically integrated, built atop coordinated awareness and assistance, and community-connected opportunities for networked learning. As opportunities for partnership continue to be uncovered, it will be vital to broadly assess their impact, using clinical and nonclinical metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M S Corley
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 7035, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of General & Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 7035, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Adrienne W Henize
- Division of General & Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 7035, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Melissa D Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 2011, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of General & Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 2011, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 2011, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Andrew F Beck
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 7035, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of General & Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 7035, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 7035, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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5
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Akande M, Paquette ET, Magee P, Perry-Eaddy MA, Fink EL, Slain KN. Screening for Social Determinants of Health in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Recommendations for Clinicians. Crit Care Clin 2023; 39:341-355. [PMID: 36898778 PMCID: PMC10332174 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDoH) play a significant role in the health and well-being of children in the United States. Disparities in the risk and outcomes of critical illness have been extensively documented but are yet to be fully explored through the lens of SDoH. In this review, we provide justification for routine SDoH screening as a critical first step toward understanding the causes of, and effectively addressing health disparities affecting critically ill children. Second, we summarize important aspects of SDoH screening that need to be considered before implementing this practice in the pediatric critical care setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzilat Akande
- Section of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, OU Children's Physicians Building, 1200 Children's Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
| | - Erin T Paquette
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 East, Chicago Avenue, Box 73, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Paula Magee
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 East, Chicago Avenue, Box 73, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mallory A Perry-Eaddy
- University of Connecticut School of Nursing, 231 Glenbrook Rd, U-4026, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 200 Academic Way, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Ericka L Fink
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Avenue, Faculty Pavilion, 2nd floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA
| | - Katherine N Slain
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, 11100 Euclid Avenue, RBC 6010 Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 9501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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6
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Sauers-Ford H, Schondelmeyer A, Shah A. What Should Hospitalists Consider in Addressing Social Determinants of Health? Hosp Pediatr 2023; 13:e40-e42. [PMID: 36594220 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2022-006959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Schondelmeyer
- Division of Hospital Medicine, and.,James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Anita Shah
- Division of Hospital Medicine, and.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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7
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Workman B, Beck AF, Newman NC, Nabors L. Evaluation of a Program to Reduce Home Environment Risks for Children with Asthma Residing in Urban Areas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:172. [PMID: 35010432 PMCID: PMC8750910 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric asthma morbidity is often linked to challenges including poor housing quality, inability to access proper medical care, lack of medications, and poor adherence to medical regimens. Such factors also propagate known disparities, by race and income, in asthma-related outcomes. Multimodal home visits have an established evidence base in support of their use to improve such outcomes. The Collaboration to Lessen Environmental Asthma Risks (CLEAR) is a partnership between the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the local health department which carries out home visits to provide healthy homes education and write orders for remediation should code violations and environmental asthma triggers be identified. To assess the strengths and weaknesses of the program, we obtained qualitative feedback from health professionals and mothers of children recently hospitalized with asthma using key informant interviews. Health professionals viewed the program as a positive support system for families and highlighted the potential benefit of education on home asthma triggers and connecting families with services for home improvements. Mothers report working to correct asthma triggers in the home based on the education they received during the course of their child's recent illness. Some mothers indicated mistrust of the health department staff completing home visits, indicating a further need for research to identify the sources of this mistrust. Overall, the interviews provided insights into successful areas of the program and areas for program improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Workman
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA;
| | - Andrew F. Beck
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA;
| | - Nicholas C. Newman
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA;
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA;
| | - Laura Nabors
- Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0068, USA;
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8
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Vaz LE, Wagner DV, Ramsey KL, Jenisch C, Austin JP, Jungbauer RM, Felder K, Vega-Juarez R, Gomez M, Koskela-Staples N, Harris MA, Zuckerman KE. Identification of Caregiver-Reported Social Risk Factors in Hospitalized Children. Hosp Pediatr 2021; 10:20-28. [PMID: 31871220 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2019-0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although health systems are increasingly moving toward addressing social determinants of health, social risk screening for hospitalized children is largely unexplored. We sought to determine if inpatient screening was feasible and describe the prevalence of social risk among children and caregivers, with special attention given to children with chronic conditions. METHODS Caregivers of pediatric patients on the hospitalist service at a children's hospital in the Pacific Northwest completed a social risk survey in 2017. This survey was used to capture items related to caregiver demographics; socioeconomic, psychosocial, and household risks; and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Charts were reviewed for child demographics and medical complexity. Results were tabulated as frequency distributions, and analyses compared the association of risk factors with a child's medical complexity by using χ2 tests. RESULTS A total of 265 out of 304 (87%) caregivers consented to participate. One in 3 families endorsed markers of financial stress (eg, difficulty paying for food, rent, or utilities). Forty percent experienced medical bill or insurance troubles. Caregiver mental health concerns were prevalent, affecting over one-third of all respondents. ACEs were also common, with 38% of children having at least 1 ACE. The presence of any ACE was more likely for children with chronic conditions than those without. CONCLUSIONS We found that social risk screening in the inpatient setting was feasible; social risk was uniformly common and did not disproportionately affect those with chronic diseases. Knowing the prevalence of social risk may assist in appropriate alignment of interventions tiered by social complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise E Vaz
- Department of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital,
| | - David V Wagner
- Department of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital
| | | | | | - Jared P Austin
- Department of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital
| | - Rebecca M Jungbauer
- Pacific Northwest Evidence-Based Practice Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | | | - Raul Vega-Juarez
- Department of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital.,Build Exito Program, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon; and
| | - Mauricio Gomez
- Department of Pediatrics, Doernbecher Children's Hospital
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9
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Parikh K, Richmond M, Lee M, Fu L, McCarter R, Hinds P, Teach SJ. Outcomes from a pilot patient-centered hospital-to-home transition program for children hospitalized with asthma. J Asthma 2020; 58:1384-1394. [PMID: 32664809 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1795877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate a multi-component hospital-to-home (H2H) transition program for children hospitalized with an asthma exacerbation. METHODS A pilot prospective randomized clinical trial of guideline-based asthma care with and without a patient-centered multi-component H2H program among children enrolled in K-8th grade on Medicaid hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation. H2H program includes 5 components: medications in-hand at discharge, school-based asthma therapy (SBAT) for controller medications, referral for home trigger assessments, communication with the primary care provider (PCP), and patient navigator support. Primary outcomes included feasibility and acceptability. Secondary outcomes included healthcare utilization, asthma morbidity, and caregiver quality of life. RESULTS A total of 32 children were enrolled and randomized. Feasibility outcomes in the intervention group included: medications in-hand at discharge (100%); SBAT for controller medication initiated (100%); home visit referrals made (100%) and home visits completed within 4 weeks of discharge (44%); PCP communication (100%); patient navigator communication at 3 days (81.3%) and 14 days (46.7%). Acceptability outcomes in the intervention group included: 87.5% of families continued SBAT, and 87.5% of families reported it was extremely helpful to have the home visit referral. Adjusting for baseline differences in age, asthma severity and control, there was no significant difference in healthcare utilization outcomes. CONCLUSION These pilot data suggest that comprehensive care coordination initiated during the inpatient stay is feasible and acceptable. A larger trial is justified to determine if the intervention may reduce healthcare utilization for urban, minority children with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Parikh
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Miller Richmond
- Center for Translational Research, Children's National Research Institute, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michael Lee
- Center for Translational Research, Children's National Research Institute, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Linda Fu
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Robert McCarter
- Center for Translational Research, Department of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Pamela Hinds
- Department of Nursing Science, Professional Practice & Quality, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stephen J Teach
- Center for Translational Research, Children's National Research Institute, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristin Q Fritz
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Mark S Brittan
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - David Keller
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
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11
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Chang LV, Shah AN, Hoefgen ER, Auger KA, Weng H, Simmons JM, Shah SS, Beck AF. Lost Earnings and Nonmedical Expenses of Pediatric Hospitalizations. Pediatrics 2018; 142:peds.2018-0195. [PMID: 30104421 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-0195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hospitalization-related nonmedical costs, including lost earnings and expenses such as transportation, meals, and child care, can lead to challenges in prioritizing postdischarge decisions. In this study, we quantify such costs and evaluate their relationship with sociodemographic factors, including family-reported financial and social hardships. METHODS This was a cross-sectional analysis of data collected during the Hospital-to-Home Outcomes Study, a randomized trial designed to determine the effects of a nurse home visit after standard pediatric discharge. Parents completed an in-person survey during the child's hospitalization. The survey included sociodemographic characteristics of the parent and child, measures of financial and social hardship, household income and also evaluated the family's total nonmedical cost burden, which was defined as all lost earnings plus expenses. A daily cost burden (DCB) standardized it for a 24-hour period. The daily cost burden as a percentage of daily household income (DCBi) was also calculated. RESULTS Median total cost burden for the 1372 households was $113, the median DCB was $51, and the median DCBi was 45%. DCB and DCBi varied across many sociodemographic characteristics. In particular, single-parent households (those with less work flexibility and more financial hardships experienced significantly higher DCB and DCBi. Those who reported ≥3 financial hardships lost or spent 6-times more of their daily income on nonmedical costs than those without hardships. Those with ≥1 social hardships lost or spent double their daily income compared with those without social hardships. CONCLUSIONS Nonmedical costs place burdens on families of children who are hospitalized, disproportionately affecting those with competing socioeconomic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenisa V Chang
- Department of Economics, Carl H. Lindner College of Business,
| | - Anita N Shah
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,Divisions of Hospital Medicine
| | - Erik R Hoefgen
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,Divisions of Hospital Medicine
| | - Katherine A Auger
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,Divisions of Hospital Medicine.,James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Huibin Weng
- Department of Economics, Carl H. Lindner College of Business
| | - Jeffrey M Simmons
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,Divisions of Hospital Medicine.,James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Samir S Shah
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,Divisions of Hospital Medicine.,Infectious Diseases
| | - Andrew F Beck
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,Divisions of Hospital Medicine.,General and Community Pediatrics, and
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12
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Nerlinger AL, Shah AN, Beck AF, Beers LS, Wong SL, Chamberlain LJ, Keller D. The Advocacy Portfolio: A Standardized Tool for Documenting Physician Advocacy. ACADEMIC MEDICINE : JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES 2018; 93:860-868. [PMID: 29298182 DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000002122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent changes in health care delivery systems and in medical training have primed academia for a paradigm shift, with strengthened support for an expanded definition of scholarship. Physicians who consider advocacy to be relevant to their scholarly endeavors need a standardized format to display activities and measure the value of health outcomes to which their work can be attributed. Similar to the Educator Portfolio, the authors here propose the Advocacy Portfolio (AP) to document a scholarly approach to advocacy.Despite common challenges faced in the arguments for both education and advocacy to be viewed as scholarship, the authors highlight inherent differences between the two fields. On the basis of prior literature, the authors propose a broad yet comprehensive set of domains to categorize advocacy activities, including advocacy engagement, knowledge dissemination, community outreach, advocacy teaching/mentoring, and advocacy leadership/administration. Documenting quality, quantity, and a scholarly approach to advocacy within each domain is the first of many steps to establish congruence between advocacy and scholarship for physicians using the AP format.This standardized format can be applied in a variety of settings, from medical training to academic promotion. Such documentation will encourage institutional buy-in by aligning measured outcomes with institutional missions. The AP will also provide physician-advocates with a method to display the impact of advocacy projects on health outcomes for patients and populations. Future challenges to broad application include establishing institutional support and developing consensus regarding criteria by which to evaluate the contributions of advocacy activities to scholarship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby L Nerlinger
- A.L. Nerlinger is clinical associate, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. A.N. Shah is assistant professor, Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. A.F. Beck is associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. L.S. Beers is associate professor, George Washington University School of Medicine, and medical director for municipal and regional affairs, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC. S.L. Wong is professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado. L.J. Chamberlain is associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, and senior faculty, Center for Policy, Outcomes and Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California. D. Keller is professor, Department of Pediatrics, and vice chair of clinical affairs and clinical transformation, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
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13
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Beck AF, Sandel MT, Ryan PH, Kahn RS. Mapping Neighborhood Health Geomarkers To Clinical Care Decisions To Promote Equity In Child Health. Health Aff (Millwood) 2018; 36:999-1005. [PMID: 28583957 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2016.1425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Health disparities, which can be understood as disadvantages in health associated with one's social, racial, economic, or physical environment, originate in childhood and persist across an individual's life course. One's neighborhood may drive or influence these disparities. Information on neighborhoods that can characterize their risks-what we call place-based risks-is rarely used in patient care. Community-level data, however, could inform and personalize interventions such as arranging for mold removal from the home of a person with asthma from the moment that person's address is recorded at the site of care. Efficient risk identification could lead to the tailoring of recommendations and targeting of resources, to improve care experiences and clinical outcomes while reducing disparities and costs. In this article we highlight how data on place-based social determinants of health from national and local sources could be incorporated more directly into patient-centered care, adding precision to risk assessment and mitigation. We also discuss how this information could stimulate cross-sector interventions that promote health equity: the attainment of the highest level of health for neighborhoods, patient panels, and individuals. Finally, we draw attention to research questions that focus on the role of geographical place at the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Beck
- Andrew F. Beck is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, in Ohio
| | - Megan T Sandel
- Megan T. Sandel is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Boston University School of Medicine, in Massachusetts
| | - Patrick H Ryan
- Patrick H. Ryan is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | - Robert S Kahn
- Robert S. Kahn is a professor of pediatrics at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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14
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Parikh K, Keller S, Ralston S. Inpatient Quality Improvement Interventions for Asthma: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics 2018; 141:peds.2017-3334. [PMID: 29622722 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2017-3334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Despite the availability of evidence-based guidelines for the management of pediatric asthma, health care utilization remains high. OBJECTIVE Systematically review the inpatient literature on asthma quality improvement (QI) and synthesize impact on subsequent health care utilization. DATA SOURCES Medline and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (January 1, 1991-November 16, 2016) and bibliographies of retrieved articles. STUDY SELECTION Interventional studies in English of inpatient-initiated asthma QI work. DATA EXTRACTION Studies were categorized by intervention type and outcome. Random-effects models were used to generate pooled risk ratios for health care utilization outcomes after inpatient QI interventions. RESULTS Thirty articles met inclusion criteria and 12 provided data on health care reutilization outcomes. Risk ratios for emergency department revisits were: 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06-14.47) <30 days, 1.70 (95% CI: 0.67-4.29) for 30 days to 6 months, and 1.22 (95% CI: 0.52-2.85) for 6 months to 1 year. Risk ratios for readmissions were: 2.02 (95% CI: 0.73-5.61) for <30 days, 1.68 (95% CI: 0.88-3.19) for 30 days to 6 months, and 1.27 (95% CI 0.85-1.90) for 6 months to 1 year. Subanalysis of multimodal interventions suggested lower readmission rates (risk ratio: 1.49 [95% CI: 1.17-1.89] over a period of 30 days to 1 year after the index admission). Subanalysis of education and discharge planning interventions did not show effect. LIMITATIONS Linkages between intervention and outcome are complicated by the multimodal approach to QI in most studies. CONCLUSIONS We did not identify any inpatient strategies impacting health care reutilization within 30 days of index hospitalization. Multimodal interventions demonstrated impact over the longer interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Parikh
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Children's National Health System and School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia;
| | - Susan Keller
- Children's National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia; and
| | - Shawn Ralston
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
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Kercsmar CM, Beck AF, Sauers-Ford H, Simmons J, Wiener B, Crosby L, Wade-Murphy S, Schoettker PJ, Chundi PK, Samaan Z, Mansour M. Association of an Asthma Improvement Collaborative With Health Care Utilization in Medicaid-Insured Pediatric Patients in an Urban Community. JAMA Pediatr 2017; 171:1072-1080. [PMID: 28975221 PMCID: PMC5710369 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.2600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Asthma is the most common chronic condition of childhood. Hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits for asthma are more frequently experienced by minority children and adolescents and those with low socioeconomic status. OBJECTIVE To reduce asthma-related hospitalizations and ED visits for Medicaid-insured pediatric patients residing in Hamilton County, Ohio. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS From January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2015, a multidisciplinary team used quality-improvement methods and the chronic care model to conduct interventions in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings in a large, urban academic pediatric hospital in Hamilton County, Ohio. Children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years who resided in Hamilton County, had a diagnosis of asthma, and were Medicaid insured were studied. INTERVENTIONS Interventions were implemented in 3 phases: hospital-based inpatient care redesign, outpatient-based care enhancements, and community-based supports. Plan-do-study-act cycles allowed for small-scale implementation of change concepts and rapid evaluation of how such tests affected processes and outcomes of interest. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The study measured asthma-related hospitalizations and ED visits per 10 000 Medicaid-insured pediatric patients. Data were measured monthly on a rolling 12-month mean basis. Data from multiple previous years were used to establish a baseline. Data were tracked with annotated control charts and with interrupted time-series analysis. RESULTS Of the estimated 36 000 children and adolescents with asthma in Hamilton County (approximately 13 000 of whom are Medicaid insured and 6000 of whom are cared for in Cincinnati Children's Hospital primary care practices), asthma-related hospitalizations decreased from 8.1 (95% CI, 7.7-8.5) to 4.7 (95% CI, 4.3-5.1) per 10 000 Medicaid patients per month by June 30, 2014, a 41.8% (95% CI, 41.7%-42.0%) relative reduction. Emergency department visits decreased from 21.5 (95% CI, 20.6-22.3) to 12.4 (95% CI, 11.5-13.2) per 10 000 Medicaid patients per month by June 30, 2014, a 42.4% (95% CI, 42.2%-42.6%) relative reduction. Improvements were sustained for the subsequent 12 months. The proportion of patients who were rehospitalized or had a return ED visit for asthma within 30 days of an index hospitalization was reduced from 12% to 7%. The proportion of patients with documented well-controlled asthma in this study's primary care population increased from 48% to 54%. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE An integrated, multilevel approach focused on enhancing availability and accessibility of treatments, removing barriers to adherence, mitigating multidomain risks, augmenting self-management, and creating a collaborative relationship between the family and the health care system was associated with improved asthma outcomes for a population of Medicaid-insured pediatric patients. Similar models used in accountable care organizations or across patient panels and with other chronic conditions could be feasible and warrant evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M. Kercsmar
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Andrew F. Beck
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Jeffrey Simmons
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Brandy Wiener
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lisa Crosby
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | | | - Pavan K. Chundi
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Zeina Samaan
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Mona Mansour
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
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16
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Roberts JR, Newman N, McCurdy LE, Chang JS, Salas MA, Eskridge B, De Ybarrondo L, Sandel M, Mazur L, Karr CJ. Integrating Environmental Management of Asthma into Pediatric Health Care: What Worked and What Still Needs Improvement? Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2016; 55:1271-1278. [PMID: 26647159 PMCID: PMC8221413 DOI: 10.1177/0009922815621033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) launched an initiative in 2005 to integrate environmental management of asthma into pediatric health care. This study, a follow-up to a 2013 study, evaluated the program's impact and assessed training results by 5 new faculty champions. We surveyed attendees at training sessions to measure knowledge and the likelihood of asking about and managing environmental triggers of asthma. To conduct the program evaluation, a workshop was held with the faculty champions and NEEF staff in which we identified major program benefits, as well as challenges and suggestions for the future. Trainee baseline knowledge of environmental triggers was low, but they reported robust improvement in environmental triggers knowledge and intention to recommend environmental management. The program has a broad, national scope, reaching more than 12 000 physicians, health care providers, and students, and some faculty champions successfully integrated materials into health record. Program barriers and future endeavors were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas Newman
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Leyla E. McCurdy
- National Environmental Education Foundation, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jane S. Chang
- National Environmental Education Foundation, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Megan Sandel
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lynnette Mazur
- University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, USA
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17
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Beck AF, Huang B, Chundur R, Kahn RS. Housing code violation density associated with emergency department and hospital use by children with asthma. Health Aff (Millwood) 2016; 33:1993-2002. [PMID: 25367995 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Local agencies that enforce housing policies can partner with the health care system to target pediatric asthma care. These agencies retain data that can be used to pinpoint potential clusters of high asthma morbidity. We sought to assess whether the density of housing code violations in census tracts-the in-tract asthma-relevant violations (such as the presence of mold or cockroaches) divided by the number of housing units-was associated with population-level asthma morbidity and could be used to predict a hospitalized patient's risk of subsequent morbidity. We found that increased density in housing code violations was associated with population-level morbidity independent of poverty, and that the density explained 22 percent of the variation in rates of asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Children who had been hospitalized for asthma had 1.84 greater odds of a revisit to the emergency department or a rehospitalization within twelve months if they lived in the highest quartile of housing code violation tracts, compared to those living in the lowest quartile. Integrating housing and health data could highlight at-risk areas and patients for targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Beck
- Andrew F. Beck is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, in Ohio
| | - Bin Huang
- Bin Huang is an associate professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | - Raj Chundur
- Raj Chundur is the CAGIS administrator of the Cincinnati Area Geographic Information System, in Hamilton County, Ohio
| | - Robert S Kahn
- Robert S. Kahn is a professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
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18
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Johnson LH, Chambers P, Dexheimer JW. Asthma-related emergency department use: current perspectives. Open Access Emerg Med 2016; 8:47-55. [PMID: 27471415 PMCID: PMC4950546 DOI: 10.2147/oaem.s69973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is one of the most common chronic pediatric diseases. Patients with asthma often present to the emergency department for treatment for acute exacerbations. These patients may not have a primary care physician or primary care home, and thus are seeking care in the emergency department. Asthma care in the emergency department is multifaceted to treat asthma patients appropriately and provide quality care. National and international guidelines exist to help drive clinical care. Electronic and paper-based tools exist for both physicians and patients to help improve emergency, home, and preventive care. Treatment of patients with asthma should include the acute exacerbation, long-term management of controller medications, and controlling triggers in the home environment. We will address the current state of asthma research in emergency medicine in the US, and discuss some of the resources being used to help provide a medical home and improve care for patients who suffer from acute asthma exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Judith W Dexheimer
- Division of Emergency Medicine; Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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19
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Beck AF, Huang B, Auger KA, Ryan PH, Chen C, Kahn RS. Explaining Racial Disparities in Child Asthma Readmission Using a Causal Inference Approach. JAMA Pediatr 2016; 170:695-703. [PMID: 27182793 PMCID: PMC5503118 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Childhood asthma is characterized by disparities in the experience of morbidity, including the risk for readmission to the hospital after an initial hospitalization. African American children have been shown to have more than 2 times the hazard of readmission when compared with their white counterparts. OBJECTIVE To explain why African American children are at greater risk for asthma-related readmissions than white children. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This study was completed as part of the Greater Cincinnati Asthma Risks Study, a population-based, prospective, observational cohort. From August 2010 to October 2011, it enrolled 695 children, aged 1 to 16 years, admitted for asthma or wheezing who identified as African American (n = 441) or white (n = 254) in an inpatient setting of an urban, tertiary care children's hospital. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcome was time to asthma-related readmission and race was the predictor. Biologic, environmental, disease management, access, and socioeconomic hardship variables were measured; their roles in understanding racial readmission disparities were conceptualized using a directed acyclic graphic. Inverse probability of treatment weighting balanced African American and white children with respect to key measured variables. Racial differences in readmission hazard were assessed using weighted Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS The sample was 65% male (n = 450), and the median age was 5.4 years. African American children were 2.26 times more likely to be readmitted than white children (95% CI, 1.56-3.26). African American children significantly differed with respect to nearly every measured biologic, environmental, disease management, access, and socioeconomic hardship variable. Socioeconomic hardship variables explained 53% of the observed disparity (hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.05-2.05). The addition of biologic, environmental, disease management, and access variables resulted in 80% of the readmission disparity being explained. The difference between African American and white children with respect to readmission hazard no longer reached the level of significance (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.87-1.60; Cox P = .30 and log-rank P = .39). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE A total of 80% of the observed readmission disparity between African American and white children could be explained after statistically balancing available biologic, environmental, disease management, access to care, and socioeconomic and hardship variables across racial groups. Such a comprehensive, well-framed approach to exposures that are associated with morbidity is critical as we attempt to better understand and lessen persistent child asthma disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F. Beck
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio2Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohi
| | - Bin Huang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Katherine A. Auger
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Patrick H. Ryan
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Chen Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Robert S. Kahn
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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Sauers-Ford HS, Moore JL, Guiot AB, Simpson BE, Clohessy CR, Yost D, Mayhaus DC, Simmons JM, Gosdin CH. Local Pharmacy Partnership to Prevent Pediatric Asthma Reutilization in a Satellite Hospital. Pediatrics 2016; 137:peds.2015-0039. [PMID: 26983469 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In our previous work, providing medications in-hand at discharge was a key strategy to reduce asthma reutilization (readmissions and emergency revisits) among children in a large, urban county. We sought to spread this work to our satellite hospital in an adjacent county. A key initial barrier was the lack of an outpatient pharmacy on site, so we sought to determine if a partnership with community pharmacies could improve the percentage of patients with medications in-hand at discharge, thus decreasing reutilization. METHODS A multidisciplinary team partnered with community pharmacies. Using rapid-cycle improvement methods, the team aimed to reduce asthma reutilization by providing medications in-hand at discharge. Run charts were used to display the proportion of patients with asthma discharged with medications in-hand and to track 90-day reutilization rates. RESULTS During the intervention period, the median percentage of patients with asthma who received medications in-hand increased from 0% to 82%. A key intervention was the expansion of the medication in-hand program to all patients. Additional changes included expanding team to evening stakeholders, narrowing the number of community partners, and building electronic tools to support key processes. The mean percentage of patients with asthma discharged from the satellite who had a readmission or emergency department revisit within 90 days of their index admission decreased from 18% to 11%. CONCLUSIONS Impacting population-level asthma outcomes requires partnerships between community resources and health providers. When hospital resources are limited, community pharmacies are a potential partner, and providing access to medications in-hand at hospital discharge can reduce asthma reutilization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer L Moore
- Department of Patient Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medicine Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Amy B Guiot
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and
| | - Blair E Simpson
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and
| | | | | | - David C Mayhaus
- Department of Patient Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medicine Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | | | - Craig H Gosdin
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and
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21
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Allergen sensitization profiles in a population-based cohort of children hospitalized for asthma. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2015; 12:376-84. [PMID: 25594255 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.201408-376oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Allergen sensitization is associated with asthma morbidity. A better understanding of allergen sensitization patterns among children hospitalized for asthma could help clinicians tailor care more effectively. To our knowledge, however, sensitization profiles among children hospitalized for asthma are unknown. OBJECTIVES We sought to describe allergen sensitization profiles and the distribution of self-reported in-home exposures among children hospitalized for asthma. We also sought to assess how sensitization profiles varied by sociodemographic and clinical factors. METHODS This population-based cohort study includes data for 478 children, aged 4-16 years, hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation. Predictors included child age, race, sex, insurance status, reported income, salivary cotinine, exposure to traffic-related air pollution, asthma and atopic history, and season of admission. Outcomes included serum IgE specific to Alternaria alternata/A. tenuis, Aspergillus fumigatus, American cockroach, mouse epithelium, dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and farinae), cat dander, and dog dander (deemed sensitive if IgE ≥ 0.35). Self-reported adverse exposures included mold/mildew, water leaks, cockroaches, rodents, and cracks or holes in the walls or ceiling. Presence of carpeting and furry pets was also assessed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS More than 50% of included patients were sensitized to each of Alternaria, Aspergillus, dust mite, cat dander, and dog dander; 28% were sensitized to cockroach and 18% to mouse. Roughly 68% were sensitized to three or more allergens with evidence of clustering. African American children, compared with white children, were more likely to be sensitized to Alternaria, Aspergillus, cockroach, and dust mite (all P<0.01). White children were more likely to be sensitized to mouse, cat, and dog (all P<0.01). Lower income was associated with cockroach sensitization whereas higher income was associated with dog and cat sensitization (all P<0.01). Atopic history was associated with sensitization to three or more allergens (P<0.01). Although 42% reported exposure to at least one adverse in-home exposure (and 72% to carpet, 51% to furry pets), only weak relationships were seen between reported exposures and sensitizations. CONCLUSIONS Most children admitted to the hospital for asthma exacerbations are sensitized to multiple indoor allergens. Atopy on the inpatient unit serves as a potential target for improvement in chronic asthma management.
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Henize AW, Beck AF, Klein MD, Adams M, Kahn RS. A Road Map to Address the Social Determinants of Health Through Community Collaboration. Pediatrics 2015; 136:e993-1001. [PMID: 26391941 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2015-0549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Economic, environmental, and psychosocial needs are common and wide-ranging among families cared for in primary care settings. Still, pediatric care delivery models are not set up to systematically address these fundamental risks to health. We offer a roadmap to help structure primary care approaches to these needs through the development of comprehensive and effective collaborations between the primary care setting and community partners. We use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a well-recognized conceptual model to organize, prioritize, and determine appropriate interventions that can be adapted to both small and large practices. Specifically, collaborations with community organizations expert in addressing issues commonly encountered in primary care centers can be designed and executed in a phased manner: (1) build the case for action through a family-centered risk assessment, (2) organize and prioritize risks and interventions, (3) develop and sustain interventions, and (4) operationalize interventions in the clinical setting. This phased approach to collaboration also includes shared vision, codeveloped plans for implementation and evaluation, resource alignment, joint reflection and adaptation, and shared decisions regarding next steps. Training, electronic health record integration, refinement by using quality improvement methods, and innovative use of clinical space are important components that may be useful in a variety of clinical settings. Successful examples highlight how clinical-community partnerships can help to systematically address a hierarchy of needs for children and families. Pediatricians and community partners can collaborate to improve the well-being of at-risk children by leveraging their respective strengths and shared vision for healthy families.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew F Beck
- Divisions of General and Community Pediatrics, and Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and
| | - Melissa D Klein
- Divisions of General and Community Pediatrics, and Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and
| | - Monica Adams
- Social Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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23
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Inkelas M, McPherson ME. Quality improvement in population health systems. HEALTHCARE-THE JOURNAL OF DELIVERY SCIENCE AND INNOVATION 2015; 3:231-4. [PMID: 26699349 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Quality improvement methods have achieved large sustainable changes in health care quality and health outcomes. Transforming health care into a population health system requires methods for innovation and improvement that can work across professions and sectors. It may be possible to replicate improvement successes in healthcare settings within and across the broader systems of social, educational, and other human services that influence health outcomes in communities. Improvement methods could translate the rhetoric of collaboration, integration and alignment into practice across the fragmented health and human service sectors in the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moira Inkelas
- Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities, 650 Charles Young Dr. S., Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, United States.
| | - Marianne E McPherson
- Research, and Evaluation, NICHQ (National Institute for Children's Health Quality), 30 Winter Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, United States.
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Gay JC, Agrawal R, Auger KA, Del Beccaro MA, Eghtesady P, Fieldston ES, Golias J, Hain PD, McClead R, Morse RB, Neuman MI, Simon HK, Tejedor-Sojo J, Teufel RJ, Harris JM, Shah SS. Rates and impact of potentially preventable readmissions at children's hospitals. J Pediatr 2015; 166:613-9.e5. [PMID: 25477164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess readmission rates identified by 3M-Potentially Preventable Readmissions software (3M-PPRs) in a national cohort of children's hospitals. STUDY DESIGN A total of 1 719 617 hospitalizations for 1 531 828 unique patients in 58 children's hospitals from 2009 to 2011 from the Children's Hospital Association Case-Mix Comparative database were examined. Main outcome measures included rates, diagnoses, and costs of potentially preventable readmissions (PPRs) and all-cause readmissions. RESULTS The 7-, 15-, and 30-day rates by 3M-PPRs were 2.5%, 4.1%, and 6.2%, respectively. Corresponding all-cause readmission rates were 5.0%, 8.7%, and 13.3%. At 30 days, 60.6% of all-cause readmissions were considered nonpreventable by 3M-PPRs, more than one-half of which were related to malignancies. The percentage of readmissions rated as potentially preventable was similar at all 3 time intervals. Readmissions after chemotherapy, acute leukemia, and cystic fibrosis were all considered nonpreventable, and at least 80% of readmissions after index admissions for sickle cell crisis, bronchiolitis, ventricular shunt procedures, asthma, and appendectomy were designated potentially preventable. Total costs for all readmissions were $1.7 billion; PPRs accounted for 27.3% of these costs. The most costly readmissions were associated with ventricular shunt procedures ($26.5 million/year), seizures ($15.5 million/year), and sickle cell crisis ($15.0 million/year). CONCLUSIONS Rates of PPRs were significantly lower than all-cause readmission rates more than one-half of which were caused by exclusion of malignancies. Annual costs of PPRs, although significant in the aggregate, appear to represent a much smaller cost-savings opportunity for children than for adults. Our study may help guide children's hospitals to focus readmission reduction strategies on areas where the financial vulnerability is greatest based on 3M-PPRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Gay
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN.
| | - Rishi Agrawal
- Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Katherine A Auger
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul D Hain
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | | | | | - Harold K Simon
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Javier Tejedor-Sojo
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | | | | | - Samir S Shah
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
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Sauni R, Verbeek JH, Uitti J, Jauhiainen M, Kreiss K, Sigsgaard T. Remediating buildings damaged by dampness and mould for preventing or reducing respiratory tract symptoms, infections and asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 2015:CD007897. [PMID: 25715323 PMCID: PMC6769180 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd007897.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dampness and mould in buildings have been associated with adverse respiratory symptoms, asthma and respiratory infections of inhabitants. Moisture damage is a very common problem in private houses, workplaces and public buildings such as schools. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of repairing buildings damaged by dampness and mould in order to reduce or prevent respiratory tract symptoms, infections and symptoms of asthma. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL (2014, Issue 10), MEDLINE (1951 to November week 1, 2014), EMBASE (1974 to November 2014), CINAHL (1982 to November 2014), Science Citation Index (1973 to November 2014), Biosis Previews (1989 to June 2011), NIOSHTIC (1930 to March 2014) and CISDOC (1974 to March 2014). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs (cRCTs), interrupted time series studies and controlled before-after (CBA) studies of the effects of remediating dampness and mould in a building on respiratory symptoms, infections and asthma. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. MAIN RESULTS We included 12 studies (8028 participants): two RCTs (294 participants), one cRCT (4407 participants) and nine CBA studies (3327 participants). The interventions varied from thorough renovation to cleaning only.Repairing houses decreased asthma-related symptoms in adults (among others, wheezing (odds ratio (OR) 0.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55 to 0.75) and respiratory infections (among others, rhinitis (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.66), two studies, moderate-quality evidence). For children, we did not find a difference between repaired houses and receiving information only, in the number of asthma days or emergency department visits because of asthma (one study, moderate-quality evidence).One CBA study showed very low-quality evidence that after repairing a mould-damaged office building, asthma-related and other respiratory symptoms decreased. In another CBA study, there was no difference in symptoms between full or partial repair of houses.For children in schools, the evidence of an effect of mould remediation on respiratory symptoms was inconsistent and out of many symptom measures only respiratory infections might have decreased after the intervention. For staff in schools, there was very low-quality evidence that asthma-related and other respiratory symptoms in mould-damaged schools were similar to those of staff in non-damaged schools, both before and after intervention. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found moderate to very low-quality evidence that repairing mould-damaged houses and offices decreases asthma-related symptoms and respiratory infections compared to no intervention in adults. There is very low-quality evidence that although repairing schools did not significantly change respiratory symptoms in staff, pupils' visits to physicians due to a common cold were less frequent after remediation of the school. Better research, preferably with a cRCT design and with more validated outcome measures, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riitta Sauni
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O.Box 486, Tampere, Finland,
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Lion KC, Raphael JL. Partnering health disparities research with quality improvement science in pediatrics. Pediatrics 2015; 135:354-61. [PMID: 25560436 PMCID: PMC4306804 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-2982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Disparities in pediatric health care quality are well described in the literature, yet practical approaches to decreasing them remain elusive. Quality improvement (QI) approaches are appealing for addressing disparities because they offer a set of strategies by which to target modifiable aspects of care delivery and a method for tailoring or changing an intervention over time based on data monitoring. However, few examples in the literature exist of QI interventions successfully decreasing disparities, particularly in pediatrics, due to well-described challenges in developing, implementing, and studying QI with vulnerable populations or in underresourced settings. In addition, QI interventions aimed at improving quality overall may not improve disparities, and in some cases, may worsen them if there is greater uptake or effectiveness of the intervention among the population with better outcomes at baseline. In this article, the authors review some of the challenges faced by researchers and frontline clinicians seeking to use QI to address health disparities and propose an agenda for moving the field forward. Specifically, they propose that those designing and implementing disparities-focused QI interventions reconsider comparator groups, use more rigorous evaluation methods, carefully consider the evidence for particular interventions and the context in which they were developed, directly engage the social determinants of health, and leverage community resources to build collaborative networks and engage community members. Ultimately, new partnerships between communities, providers serving vulnerable populations, and QI researchers will be required for QI interventions to achieve their potential related to health care disparity reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Casey Lion
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; and
| | - Jean L Raphael
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Beck AF, Huang B, Simmons JM, Moncrief T, Sauers HS, Chen C, Ryan PH, Newman NC, Kahn RS. Role of financial and social hardships in asthma racial disparities. Pediatrics 2014; 133:431-9. [PMID: 24488745 PMCID: PMC3934338 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-2437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Health care reform offers a new opportunity to address child health disparities. This study sought to characterize racial differences in pediatric asthma readmissions with a focus on the potential explanatory role of hardships that might be addressed in future patient care models. METHODS We enrolled 774 children, aged 1 to 16 years, admitted for asthma or bronchodilator-responsive wheezing in a population-based prospective observational cohort. The outcome was time to readmission. Child race, socioeconomic status (measured by lower income and caregiver educational attainment), and hardship (caregivers looking for work, having no one to borrow money from, not owning a car or home, and being single/never married) were recorded. Analyses used Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS The cohort was 57% African American, 33% white, and 10% multiracial/other; 19% were readmitted within 12 months. After adjustment for asthma severity classification, African Americans were twice as likely to be readmitted as whites (hazard ratio: 1.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.42 to 2.77). Compared with whites, African American caregivers were significantly more likely to report lower income and educational attainment, difficulty finding work, having no one to borrow money from, not owning a car or home, and being single/never married (all P ≤ .01). Hardships explained 41% of the observed racial disparity in readmission; jointly, socioeconomic status and hardship explained 49%. CONCLUSIONS African American children were twice as likely to be readmitted as white children; hardships explained >40% of this disparity. Additional factors (eg, pollution, tobacco exposure, housing quality) may explain residual disparities. Targeted interventions could help achieve greater child health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F. Beck
- Divisions of General and Community Pediatrics,,Hospital Medicine, and
| | - Bin Huang
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | | | - Hadley S. Sauers
- Divisions of General and Community Pediatrics,,Hospital Medicine, and
| | - Chen Chen
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Patrick H. Ryan
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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