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Lopez M, Wilson M, Cobbina E, Kaufman D, Fluitt J, Grainger M, Ruiz R, Abudukadier G, Tiras M, Carlson B, Spaid J, Falsone K, Cocjin I, Moretti A, Vercio C, Tinsley C, Chandnani HK, Samayoa C, Cianci C, Pappas J, Chang NY. Decreasing ICU and Hospital Length of Stay through a Standardized Respiratory Therapist-driven Electronic Clinical Care Pathway for Status Asthmaticus. Pediatr Qual Saf 2023; 8:e697. [PMID: 38058471 PMCID: PMC10697623 DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Status asthmaticus (SA) is a cause of many pediatric hospitalizations. This study sought to evaluate how a standardized asthma care pathway (ACP) in the electronic medical record impacted the length of stay (LOS). Methods An interdisciplinary team internally validated a standardized respiratory score for patients admitted with SA to a 25-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at a tertiary children's hospital. The respiratory score determined weaning schedules for albuterol and steroid therapies. In addition, pharmacy and information technology staff developed an electronic ACP within our electronic medical record system using best practice alerts. These best practice alerts informed staff to initiate the pathway, wean/escalate treatment, transition to oral steroids, transfer level of care, and complete discharge education. The PICU, stepdown ICU (SD ICU), and acute care units implemented the clinical pathway. Pre- and postintervention metrics were assessed using process control charts and compared using Welch's t tests with a significance level of 0.05. Results Nine hundred two consecutive patients were analyzed (598 preintervention, 304 postintervention). Order set utilization significantly increased from 68% to 97% (P < 0.001), PICU LOS decreased from 38.4 to 31.1 hours (P = 0.013), and stepdown ICU LOS decreased from 25.7 to 20.9 hours (P = 0.01). Hospital LOS decreased from 59.5 to 50.7 hours (P = 0.003), with cost savings of $1,215,088 for the patient cohort. Conclusions Implementing a standardized respiratory therapist-driven ACP for children with SA led to significantly increased order set utilization and decreased ICU and hospital LOS. Leveraging information technology and standardized pathways may improve care quality, outcomes, and costs for other common diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merrick Lopez
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Michele Wilson
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Ekua Cobbina
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Danny Kaufman
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Julie Fluitt
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Michele Grainger
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Robert Ruiz
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Gulixian Abudukadier
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Michael Tiras
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Bronwyn Carlson
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Jeane Spaid
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Kim Falsone
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Invest Cocjin
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Anthony Moretti
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Chad Vercio
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
- Patient Safety and Reliability, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, Calif
- Department of Pediatrics, Riverside University Health System, Moreno Valley, Calif
| | - Cynthia Tinsley
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Harsha K. Chandnani
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Carlos Samayoa
- Patient Safety and Reliability, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Carissa Cianci
- Patient Safety and Reliability, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - James Pappas
- Patient Safety and Reliability, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, Calif
| | - Nancy Y. Chang
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Loma Linda, Calif
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Bradley SV, Hall M, Rajan D, Johnston J, Ondrasek E, Chen C, Mittal V. Sustaining Long-Term Asthma Outcomes at a Community and Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital. Hosp Pediatr 2023; 13:130-138. [PMID: 36632719 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2021-006224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Implementing asthma Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) have been shown to improve length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates on a short-term basis at both tertiary care and community hospital settings. Whether these outcomes are sustained long term is not known. The goal of this study was to measure the long-term impact of CPG implementation at both tertiary and community sites in 1 hospital system. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted using the Pediatric Health Information System database. LOS and 7- and 14-day emergency department (ED) revisit and readmission rates from 2009 to 2020 were compared pre and post implementation of asthma CPG in 2012 at both sites. Implementation involved electronic order sets, early metered dose inhaler introduction, and empowering respiratory therapists to wean per the bronchodilator weaning protocol. Interrupted time series and statistical process control charts were used to assess CPG impact. RESULTS Implementation of asthma CPG was associated with significant reductions in the variability of LOS without impacting ED revisit or readmission rates at both the tertiary and community sites. Secular trends in the interrupted time series did not demonstrate significant impact of CPG on LOS. However, the overall trend toward decreased LOS that started before CPG implementation was sustained for 7 years after CPG implementation. CONCLUSIONS Early metered dose inhaler introduction, respiratory therapist-driven bronchodilator weaning, and electronic order sets at both the community and tertiary care site led to a significant reduction in the variation of LOS, without impacting ED revisit or readmission rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah V Bradley
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Health System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Matt Hall
- Informatics, Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas
| | - Divya Rajan
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Health System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jennifer Johnston
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Health System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Erika Ondrasek
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Health System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Clifford Chen
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Health System, Dallas, Texas
| | - Vineeta Mittal
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Health System, Dallas, Texas
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Karube T, Goins T, Karsies TJ, Gee SW. Reducing Avoidable Transfer Delays in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for Status Asthmaticus Patients. Pediatr Qual Saf 2022; 7:e527. [PMID: 35071962 PMCID: PMC8782102 DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Status asthmaticus (acute severe asthma) is one of the most common reasons for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission. Accordingly, ensuring optimal throughput for patients admitted with status asthmaticus is essential for optimizing PICU capacity. Few studies specifically address effective methods to reduce delays related to PICU discharge. This project aimed to identify and reduce avoidable delays in PICU discharge for status asthmaticus patients. METHODS This quality improvement project focused on reducing transfer delays for status asthmaticus patients admitted to the PICU at a freestanding academic children's hospital. We standardized the transfer criteria, identified barriers to an efficient transfer, and implemented multidisciplinary interventions. The primary aim was to decrease the average duration from fulfilling the transfer criteria to PICU discharge by 15% from the baseline within 8 months of implementation. The balancing measure was readmissions to the PICU for asthma exacerbations within 24 hours from PICU discharge. RESULTS The analysis included 623 patients. Following interventions, the time from fulfilling transfer criteria to PICU discharge decreased from 9.8 hours to 6.8 hours, a 30.6% reduction from baseline. Improvements were sustained for 6 months. In the preintervention group, three patients were readmitted to the PICU within 24 hours of transferring out of the PICU, but no patient was readmitted during the postintervention period. CONCLUSIONS Standardizing transfer criteria and implementing multidisciplinary strategies can reduce avoidable PICU discharge delays for patients with status asthmaticus. The application of a similar approach could potentially reduce avoidable delays for other conditions in the PICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaharu Karube
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Theresa Goins
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Clinical Lead Respiratory Therapist, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Todd J. Karsies
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Samantha W. Gee
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
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Semiautonomous Treatment Algorithm for the Management of Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 2021; 137:211-217. [PMID: 33416295 PMCID: PMC7813439 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000004235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether implementation of a semiautonomous treatment algorithm was associated with improved compliance with American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for rapid administration of antihypertensive therapy in the setting of sustained severe hypertension. METHODS This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of admitted pregnant and postpartum patients treated for severe hypertension between January 2017 and March 2020. The semiautonomous treatment algorithm, which included vital sign monitoring, blood pressure thresholds for diagnosis of severe hypertension, and automated order sets for recommended first-line antihypertensive therapy were implemented between May 2018 and March 2019. The primary outcomes were the administration of antihypertensive therapy within 15, 30 and 60 minutes of diagnosis of severe hypertension. Comparisons were made between the preimplementation, during implementation, and postimplementation groups using χ2. Analysis was limited to the first episode of severe hypertension treated. Statistical significance was defined as P<.05. RESULTS In total, there were 959 obstetric patients treated for severe hypertension, with 373 (38.9%) treated preimplementation, 334 (34.8%) during implementation, and 252 (26.2%) after implementation. Treatment of severe hypertension within 15 minutes was 36.5% preimplementation, 45.8% during implementation, and 55.6% postimplementation (P=.001). Treatment within 30 minutes was 65.9% in the preimplementation group, 77.8% during implementation, and 79.0% in the postimplementation group (P=.004). There was no difference in percentage of patients treated within 60 minutes (86.3% before, 87.7% during and 92.9% after implementation, P=.12). CONCLUSION Implementation of a semiautonomous treatment algorithm for severe hypertension was associated with a higher percentage of pregnant and postpartum patients receiving the first dose of antihypertensive therapy within 15 and 30 minutes. Implementation of similar algorithms for this and other obstetric indications may decrease time to appropriate therapy and help improve care equity.
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Miksa M, Kaushik S, Antovert G, Brown S, Ushay HM, Katyal C. Implementation of a Critical Care Asthma Pathway in the PICU. Crit Care Explor 2021; 3:e0334. [PMID: 33604577 PMCID: PMC7886451 DOI: 10.1097/cce.0000000000000334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Acute asthma management has improved significantly across hospitals in the United States due to implementation of standardized care pathways. Management of severe acute asthma in ICUs is less well studied, and variations in management may delay escalation and/or deescalation of therapies and increase length of stay. In order to standardize the management of severe acute asthma in our PICU, a nurse- and respiratory therapist-driven critical care asthma pathway was designed, implemented, and tested. DESIGN Cross-sectional study of severe acute asthma at baseline followed by implementation of a critical care asthma pathway. SETTING Twenty-six-bed urban quaternary PICU within a children's hospital. PATIENTS Patients 24 months to 18 years old admitted to the PICU in status asthmaticus. Patients with severe bacterial infections, chronic lung disease, heart disease, or immune disorders were excluded. INTERVENTIONS Implementation of a nurse- and respiratory therapist-driven respiratory scoring tool and critical care asthma pathway with explicit escalation/deescalation instructions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Primary outcome was PICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes were time to resolution of symptoms and hospital length of stay. Compliance approached 90% for respiratory score documentation and critical care asthma pathway adherence. Severity of illness at admission and clinical baseline characteristics were comparable in both groups. Pre intervention, the median ICU length of stay was 2 days (interquartile range, 1-3 d) with an overall hospital length of stay of 4 days (interquartile range, 3-6 d) (n = 74). After implementation of the critical care asthma pathway, the ICU length of stay was 1 day (interquartile range, 1-2 d) (p = 0.0013; n = 78) with an overall length of stay of 3 days (interquartile range, 2-3.75 d) (p < 0.001). The time to resolution of symptoms was reduced from a median of 66.5 hours in the preintervention group to 21 hours in the postintervention compliant group (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS The use of a structured critical care asthma pathway, driven by an ICU nurse and respiratory therapist, is associated with faster resolution of symptoms, decreased ICU, and overall hospital lengths of stay in children admitted to an ICU for severe acute asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Miksa
- All authors: Children's Hospital at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Shubhi Kaushik
- All authors: Children's Hospital at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Gerald Antovert
- All authors: Children's Hospital at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Sakar Brown
- All authors: Children's Hospital at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, New York, NY
| | - H Michael Ushay
- All authors: Children's Hospital at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Chhavi Katyal
- All authors: Children's Hospital at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, New York, NY
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