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Garg A, Sochet AA, Hernandez R, Stockwell DC. Association of the Child Opportunity Index and Inpatient Illness Severity in the United States, 2018-2019. Acad Pediatr 2024; 24:1101-1109. [PMID: 38159600 PMCID: PMC11211241 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.12.008] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children residing in impoverished neighborhoods have reduced access to health care resources. Our objective was to identify potential associations between Child Opportunity Index (COI), a composite score of neighborhood characteristics, and inpatient severity of illness and clinical trajectory among United States (US) children. METHODS This retrospective cohort study assessed data using the Pediatric Health Information System Registry from 2018 to 2019. Primary exposure variable was COI level (range: very low [CO1 1], low [COI 2], moderate [COI 3], high [COI 4], and very high [COI 5]). Markers of inpatient clinical severity included index mortality, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and hospital length of stay (LOS). Subgroup analysis of COI and clinical outcome variation by United States Census Geographic Regions was conducted. Adjusted regression analysis was utilized to understand associations between COI and inpatient clinical severity outcomes. RESULTS Of the 132,130 encounters, 44% resided in very low or low COI neighborhoods. In adjusted models, very low COI was associated with increased mortality (aOR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.05-1.74, P = .018), PICU admission (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.11, P = 0.014), IMV (aOR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.21, P = .002), and higher hospital LOS (P = .045). Regional variation by COI depicted the East North Central region having the highest rate of mortality (20.5%), P < .001, and PICU admissions (23%), P = .014. CONCLUSIONS Our multicenter, retrospective study highlights the interaction between neighborhood-level deprivation and worsened health disparities, indicating a need for prospective study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Garg
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine (A Garg, AA Sochet, and DC Stockwell), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
| | - Anthony A Sochet
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine (A Garg, AA Sochet, and DC Stockwell), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md; Department of Medicine (AA Sochet), Divisions of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, St. Petersburg, Fla
| | - Raquel Hernandez
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and Pediatrics (R Hernandez), Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, St. Petersburg, Fla; Department of Pediatrics (R Hernandez), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - David C Stockwell
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine (A Garg, AA Sochet, and DC Stockwell), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
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Daodu O, Aziz S, Morris M, Brindle ME. Geographic Differences in Pediatric Surgical Mortality in Canada: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Pediatr Surg 2024:161645. [PMID: 39160117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.07.030] [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] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study describes differences in postoperative mortality for pediatric patients in rural communities compared to urban communities. BACKGROUND Canada has the second largest land mass in the world, with a population density of 4 people per km2. There are 18 children's hospitals in Canada offering pediatric surgical services, all in urban centres, yet nearly one-fifth of the population lives in rural or remote communities. Children who live in rural settings may have worse surgical outcomes, including mortality rates, compared with urban populations. METHODS Pediatric patients, from birth to 18 years old, who had surgery from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021, at a single Children's Hospital were included in the study. Data was obtained from the provincial Operating Room Information System (ORIS) database. Postal code, rural and urban status, distance to children's hospital (0-50 km, 51-100 km, 101-150 km, 151-200 km, and >200 km), and procedure urgency were collected. 30-day mortality for all procedures was collected. RESULTS 85,998 surgical procedures were performed at ACH between 2011 and 2021. 17,773 (20.7%) of patients lived >50 km or more from the hospital - 5,329 (6.2%) 51- 100 km, 4,053 (4.7%) 101-150 km, n=2,323 (2.7%) 151-200 km, and 6,070 (7.1%) >200 km. Rural patients had higher 30-day mortality rates than urban patients, with an odds ratio of mortality (rural vs urban) of 2.30 (95% CI, 0.95 to 5.60). When stratified by distance, patients living closer to the hospital (0-50 km) had lower odds of mortality. CONCLUSIONS Canadian Rural patients have higher operative mortality risks than urban patients. This study identifies a vulnerable group of patients who do not have equal access to care and may experience worse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatomilayo Daodu
- Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Saffa Aziz
- EQuIS Research Platform, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Melanie Morris
- Department of Surgery, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Departments of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mary E Brindle
- Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; EQuIS Research Platform, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Vestal E, Newman S, Phillips S. Barriers and facilitators to accessing pediatric specialty care for rural-dwelling children with complex chronic conditions: An integrative review. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 77:e385-e393. [PMID: 38777676 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
PROBLEM Pediatric specialty services are often geographically concentrated in urban areas, leaving up to 1 in 5 rural-dwelling children in the United States without access to advanced care. The purpose of this review was to identify and review extant literature related to barriers and facilitators to accessing specialty care for rural-dwelling children with complex chronic conditions. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA The Whittemore and Knafl (2005) integrative review method guided the review which included a critical appraisal and analysis of relevant articles published between 2012 and 2023. SAMPLE Twenty-three studies were identified for inclusion in the integrative review. RESULTS Using the domains of the Levesque et al. (2013) conceptual framework, findings were categorized according to the access to care continuum. Barriers included broadband access, transportation, and inadequate care coordination. Facilitators included telehealth, social support, and outreach clinics. CONCLUSIONS To improve access to pediatric specialty care for rural-dwelling children, nurses, physicians, and policymakers will need to consider how the social determinants of health impact the healthcare access continuum from diagnosis to continuing healthcare. IMPLICATIONS The findings of this integrative review will aid researchers in developing interventions to improve access to pediatric specialty care for rural-dwelling children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Vestal
- Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 160 Charleston, SC 29425 United States.
| | - Susan Newman
- Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 160 Charleston, SC 29425 United States
| | - Shannon Phillips
- Medical University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 160 Charleston, SC 29425 United States
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Wells J, Shah A, Gillis H, Gustafson S, Powell C, Krasaelap A, Hanna S, Hoefert JA, Bigelow A, Sherwin J, Lewis EC, Bline KE. Tiny patients, huge impact: a call to action. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1423736. [PMID: 38952729 PMCID: PMC11215126 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1423736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The continuation of high-quality care is under threat for the over 70 million children in the United States. Inequities between Medicaid and Medicare payments and the current procedural-based reimbursement model have resulted in the undervaluing of pediatric medical care and lack of prioritization of children's health by institutions. The number of pediatricians, including pediatric subspecialists, and pediatric healthcare centers are declining due to mounting financial obstacles and this crucial healthcare supply is no longer able to keep up with demand. The reasons contributing to these inequities are clear and rational: Medicaid has significantly lower rates of reimbursement compared to Medicare, yet Medicaid covers almost half of children in the United States and creates the natural incentive for medical institutions to prioritize the care of adults. Additionally, certain aspects of children's healthcare are unique from adults and are not adequately covered in the current payment model. The result of decades of devaluing children's healthcare has led to a substantial decrease in the availability of services, medications, and equipment needed to provide healthcare to children across the nation. Fortunately, the solution is just as clear as the problem: we must value the healthcare of children as much as that of adults by increasing Medicaid funding to be on par with Medicare and appreciate the complexities of care beyond procedures. If these changes are not made, the high-quality care for children in the US will continue to decline and increase strain on the overall healthcare system as these children age into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordee Wells
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Anita Shah
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Holly Gillis
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pediatric Anesthestiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sarah Gustafson
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Carmin Powell
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Amornluck Krasaelap
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, SeattleChildren’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Samantha Hanna
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jennifer A. Hoefert
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Amee Bigelow
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jennifer Sherwin
- Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery,Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Emilee C. Lewis
- Division of Hospital Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics,University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Katherine E. Bline
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
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Accetta-Rojas G, McCulloch CE, Whelan AM, Copeland TP, Grimes BA, Ku E. Rurality of patient residence and access to transplantation among children with kidney failure in the United States. Pediatr Nephrol 2024; 39:1239-1244. [PMID: 37768419 PMCID: PMC10899312 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-023-06148-w] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residence in rural areas is often a barrier to health care access. To date, differences in access to kidney transplantation among children who reside in rural and micropolitan areas of the US have not been explored. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of children < 18 years who developed kidney failure between 2000 and 2019 according to the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). We examined the association between rurality of patient residence and time to living and/or deceased donor kidney transplantation (primary outcomes) and waitlist registration (secondary outcome) using Fine-Gray models. RESULTS We included 18,530 children, of whom 14,175 (76.5%) received a kidney transplant (39.8% from a living and 60.2% from a deceased donor). Residence in micropolitan (subhazard ratio (SHR) 1.16; 95% CI 1.06-1.27) and rural (SHR 1.18; 95% CI 1.06-1.3) areas was associated with better access to living donor transplantation compared with residence in metropolitan areas. There was no statistically significant association between residence in micropolitan (SHR, 0.95; 95%CI 0.88-1.03) and rural (SHR, 0.94; 95%CI 0.86-1.03) areas compared with metropolitan areas in the access of children to deceased donor transplantation. There was also no difference in the time to waitlist registration comparing micropolitan (SHR 1.04; 95%CI 0.98-1.10) and rural (SHR 1.05; 95% CI 0.98-1.13) versus metropolitan areas. CONCLUSIONS In children with kidney failure, residence in rural and micropolitan areas was associated with better access to living donor transplantation and similar access to deceased donor transplantation compared with residence in metropolitan areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Accetta-Rojas
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of California, 500 Parnassus Avenue MBU-E 414 SF, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0532, USA.
| | - Charles E McCulloch
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adrian M Whelan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA , USA
| | - Timothy P Copeland
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA , USA
| | - Barbara A Grimes
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elaine Ku
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA , USA
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Tilden DR, French B, Datye KA, Jaser SS. Disparities in Continuous Glucose Monitor Use Between Children With Type 1 Diabetes Living in Urban and Rural Areas. Diabetes Care 2024; 47:346-352. [PMID: 37906202 PMCID: PMC10909681 DOI: 10.2337/dc23-1564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite evidence that continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use is associated with lower HbA1c among children with type 1 diabetes, uptake of this technology remains lower among those with difficulty accessing health care, including those from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds and racial and ethnic minorities. In this study, we sought to explore the impact of rural location in use of CGM technology to guide patient and provider decision making. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this retrospective study of electronic health record demographic and visits data from a single diabetes program from 1 January 2018 through 31 December 2021, we compared the odds of completing a visit with (+) and without (-) CGM interpretation between rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) designations. RESULTS Among the 13,645 visits completed by 2,008 patients with type 1 diabetes younger than age 18 years, we found children living in small rural towns had 31% lower odds (6.3% of CGM+ visits, 8.6% of CGM- visits; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.69, 95% CI 0.51-0.94) and those living in isolated rural towns had 49% lower odds (2.0% of CGM+ visits, 3.4% of CGM- visits; aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.92) of completing a CGM-billed clinic visit compared with those living in urban areas (70.0% of CGM+ visits, 67.2% of CGM- visits). We also found significant differences in CGM-billed visits by neighborhood deprivation as well as race/ethnicity and insurance payor. CONCLUSIONS Geographic location presents a meaningful barrier to access to care for patients living with type 1 diabetes. Further work is needed to identify and address the needs of children and families living in rural areas to improve the care of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R. Tilden
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Clinical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Benjamin French
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Karishma A. Datye
- Ian M. Burr Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Sarah S. Jaser
- Division of Pediatric Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Kalavacherla S, Hall M, Jiang W, Carvalho D. Temporal Trends in Pediatric Acute Sinusitis Surrounding the COVID-19 Pandemic. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 170:913-918. [PMID: 37948579 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.578] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed patterns in the national incidence of pediatric acute sinusitis and associated complications surrounding the initial COVID-19 lockdown. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective National Database review. SETTING The Pediatric Health Information System. METHODS Acute sinusitis and associated complication incidence data from 2015 to 2022 were queried. Three time periods of T1, T2, and T3 were defined as: pre-COVID-19 baseline, initial pandemic, and postpandemic. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon rank sum tests, multivariable logistic regressions, and autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA) to assess differences between the observed complication rates in T2 and T3 and the expected incidence rates in these time periods as estimated from T1 data. RESULTS We identified 2535 acute sinusitis admissions across 42 centers. The incidence differed between T1 (31.5 cases/month), T2 (15.8 cases/month), and T3 (29 cases/month). Children aged 10 to 14 years had the highest acute sinusitis incidence rate (32.5%) compared to other ages in T2. At T1, acute sinusitis and associated complication rates followed parallel seasonal patterns. Although sinusitis incidence decreased during T2, complications increased significantly during T2 and T3 compared to T1 (37.4% and 39% vs 27.5%, P < .001). In the ARIMA model, the ratio of the observed to expected incidence (95% confidence interval) of complications was 1.09 (0.69, 2.60) in T2 and 1.14 (0.73, 2.62) in T3. CONCLUSION We report the simultaneous decrease in acute sinusitis incidence and an increase in associated complications during and after the initial COVID-19 pandemic compared to the prepandemic baseline, reflecting changing patterns in viral infection due to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Kalavacherla
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Madelyn Hall
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas, USA
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Daniela Carvalho
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
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Maleki S, Dede-Bamfo N, Ekren E, Mohammadalizadehkorde M, Villagran M. Mapping Access to Children's Hospitals in Texas. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:140. [PMID: 38397631 PMCID: PMC10888133 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Vehicle access, travel time, and distance to hospitals and emergency rooms with sufficient patient beds are critical healthcare accessibility measures, especially for children who require specific pediatric services. In a large state like Texas with vast rural areas and limited public transit infrastructure, 75% of the children live over an hour from the closest facility that provides pediatric emergency services or specialty care. In view of this challenge, this study first sought to map the prevailing geographical accessibility to children's hospitals and, second, to model the hospital beds per capita for each hospital's service area within the state of Texas. The results showed disparities in accessing emergency pediatric care, especially in rural areas. However, despite major metro areas recording better geographical accessibility to pediatric healthcare, residents in these areas may experience limited hospital bed availability. The findings indicate an urgent need for more pediatric healthcare services in rural Texas. Given the increasing population growth in metro areas and their surroundings, there is also a need for the expansion of healthcare infrastructure in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Maleki
- Translational Health Research Center, Texas State University, 151 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (E.E.); (M.V.)
| | - Nathaniel Dede-Bamfo
- Alkek One, University Libraries, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA;
| | - Elizabeth Ekren
- Translational Health Research Center, Texas State University, 151 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (E.E.); (M.V.)
| | | | - Melinda Villagran
- Translational Health Research Center, Texas State University, 151 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA; (E.E.); (M.V.)
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic factors on access to congenital hand surgery care, hospital admission charges, and analyze these geographic trends across regions of the country. METHODS Retrospective cohort study was conducted of congenital hand surgery performed in the United States from 2010 through 2020 using the Pediatric Health Information System. Multivariate regression was used to analyze the impact of socioeconomic factors. RESULTS During the study interval, 5531 pediatric patients underwent corrective surgery for congenital hand differences, including syndactyly repair (n = 2439), polydactyly repair (n = 2826), and pollicization (n = 266). Patients underwent surgery at significantly earlier age when treated at above-median case volume hospitals (P < .001). Patients with above-median income (P < .001), non-white race (P < .001), commercial insurance (P < .001), living in an urban community (P < .001), and not living in an underserved area (P < .001) were more likely to be treated at high-volume hospitals. Nearly half of patients chose to seek care at a distant hospital rather than the one locally available (49.5%, n = 1172). Of those choosing a distant hospital, most patients chose a higher-volume facility (80.9%, n = 948 of 1172). On multivariate regression, white patients were significantly more likely to choose a more distant, higher-volume hospital (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic and geographic factors significantly contribute to disparate access to congenital hand surgery across the country. Patients with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to be treated at high-volume hospitals. Treatment at hospitals with higher case volume is associated with earlier age at surgery and decreased hospital admission charges.
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Chow CP, Hill DA, Dehority W, Greene EA. Understanding the Procedural Skills Needed in Rural Pediatric Practices: A Survey of Rural Pediatric Providers in the State of New Mexico. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION AND CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT 2024; 11:23821205241229772. [PMID: 38327826 PMCID: PMC10848801 DOI: 10.1177/23821205241229772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is little data evaluating procedural skills in current rural pediatric practices. In order to prepare a cadre of pediatricians to work in rural settings, we require an understanding of the unique procedural skills needed by rural pediatric providers. Our objective was to determine how often pediatricians performed various procedural skills, determine the importance of these skills to current practice, and how they differ between rural and urban pediatric providers. METHODS A survey evaluating pediatrician utilization of the 13 required Accreditation Council Graduate Medical Education procedural skills in current practice was developed and distributed to pediatric providers in New Mexico. Descriptive statistics were used to profile participants and describe survey responses. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences by urban setting or IHS. Fisher's exact test was employed to assess differences if cell sizes were less than five. All p-values were two sided with alpha=.05. Benjamini-Hochberg method was used to control for type 1 errors. RESULTS Fifty-two of 216 pediatric providers responded. The majority surveyed performed each of the 13 procedures less than monthly but competency in many of these procedures is important. Thirty-two respondents submitted free-text responses recommending competence with tracheostomy changes, gastrostomy-tube changes/cares, and circumcision. CONCLUSION Majority of surveyed pediatricians performed the required procedures less than monthly but deemed several procedures to be important. Rural pediatricians recommended specific procedural skills needed in rural practice. All trainees receive procedural skills training. However, trainees interested in rural practice may need additional training in specific skills different than their non-rural counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christal P. Chow
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Deirdre A. Hill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Walter Dehority
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
| | - E. Anne Greene
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
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Mayfield CA, Priem JS, Effinger T, McGinnis S, Grinton P. School-Based Telemedicine and Reduced Avoidable Emergency Care Among Rural Pediatric Patients. Telemed J E Health 2023; 29:1819-1827. [PMID: 37172309 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0013] [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] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Children living in rural communities have disparate access to preventive health care, shifting the burden of care delivery to emergency services. This study examined the association of school-based telemedicine (SBT) and avoidable emergency department (ED) utilization in rural historically underserved pediatric patients served through an SBT program. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using electronic medical records and claims data from a large integrated health care system serving as the majority health care provider in the area. Participants included all pediatric patients served through an SBT program between 2017 and 2020 across three rural North Carolina counties. The study was a quasi-experimental before/after design comparing 12-month time periods before and after a patient's index virtual care visit. A subset of patients served 12 months before the start of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 was extracted and analyzed separately for a sensitivity analysis. Results: The complete sample included 1,236 patients. The odds of having an avoidable ED visit were reduced by 33% between time periods, and the estimated count of visits was reduced by 26%. (Models were adjusted for race/ethnicity, gender, age, and insurance payer.) No significant differences in unavoidable ED utilization were observed. The sensitivity analysis showed similar trends. Conclusions: Results demonstrate that telemedicine can improve access to health care and may offset the burden of avoidable care through emergency health services. Policy changes and increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic have created an optimal environment for telemedicine expansion to reduce health care access disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlene A Mayfield
- Department of Community Health, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jennifer S Priem
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tiffany Effinger
- Information and Analytics Services, Population Health Analytics, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sam McGinnis
- Levine Children's Pediatric Center, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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Marquart J, Salazar JH, Bergner C, Farazi M, Van Arendonk KJ. Location of Treatment Among Infants Requiring Complex Surgical Care. J Surg Res 2023; 292:214-221. [PMID: 37634425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rural children have worse health outcomes compared to urban children. One mechanism for this finding may be decreased access to specialized care at children's hospitals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hospital types where complex surgical care in infants is performed nationally. METHODS This study examined infants (<1 y old) in the Kids' Inpatient Database from 2009 to 2019 who underwent surgery for one of the following conditions: esophageal atresia, gastroschisis, omphalocele, Hirschsprung disease, anorectal malformation, pyloric stenosis, small bowel atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and necrotizing enterocolitis. The relationship between patient residence (rural versus urban) and location of surgical care (children's hospital versus other) was compared in relation to other covariates using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS Among 29,185 infants undergoing these operations, 16.0% lived in a rural area. Rural infants were more frequently White (64.8% versus 43.4% P < 0.001), from the lowest two income quartiles (86.5% versus 52.0%, P < 0.001), and from the South or Midwest regions (P < 0.001). Surgical care was predominantly (94.1%) provided at urban teaching hospitals but frequently not at children's hospitals, especially among rural infants. After adjusting for other covariates, rural infants were significantly less likely to undergo care at a children's hospital for both 2009 (adjusted odds ratio 0.66, P < 0.001) and 2012-2019 (adjusted odds ratio 0.78, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A sizable portion of complex surgical care in infants is performed outside children's hospitals, especially among those from rural areas. Further work is necessary to ensure adequate access to children's hospitals for rural children.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Marquart
- Department of Surgery, Pediatric General Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
| | - Jose H Salazar
- Department of Surgery, Pediatric General Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Carisa Bergner
- Department of Surgery, Pediatric General Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Manzur Farazi
- Department of Surgery, Pediatric General Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Kyle J Van Arendonk
- Department of Surgery, Pediatric General Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Murosko D, Passarella M, Handley SC, Burris HH, Lorch SA. Inter-hospital Variation in COVID-19 Era Pediatric Hospitalizations by Age Group and Diagnosis. Hosp Pediatr 2023; 13:e285-e291. [PMID: 37675486 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitigation strategies and public responses to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varied geographically and may have differentially affected burden of pediatric disease and hospitalization practices. We aimed to quantify hospital-specific variation in hospitalizations during the COVID-19 era. METHODS Using Pediatric Health Information Systems data from 44 Children's Hospitals, this retrospective multicenter analysis compared hospitalizations of children (1 day-17 years) from the COVID-19 era (March 1, 2020-June 30, 2021) to prepandemic (January 1, 2017-December 31, 2019). Variation in the magnitude of hospital-specific decline between eras was determined using coefficients of variation (CV). Spearman's test was used to assess correlation of variation with community and hospital factors. RESULTS The COVID-19 era decline in hospitalizations varied between hospitals (CV 0.41) and was moderately correlated with declines in respiratory infection hospitalizations (r = 0.69, P < .001). There was no correlation with community or hospital factors. COVID-19 era changes in hospitalizations for mental health conditions varied widely between centers (CV 2.58). Overall, 22.7% of hospitals saw increased admissions for adolescents, and 29.5% saw increases for newborns 1 to 14 days, representing significant center-specific variation (CV 2.30 for adolescents and 1.98 for newborns). CONCLUSIONS Pandemic-era change in hospitalizations varied across institutions, partially because of hospital-specific changes in respiratory infections. Residual variation exists for mental health conditions and in groups least likely to be admitted for respiratory infections, suggesting that noninfectious conditions may be differentially and uniquely affected by local policies and hospital-specific practices enacted during the COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Murosko
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Molly Passarella
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sara C Handley
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Heather H Burris
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Scott A Lorch
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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14
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Gratz T, Goldhaber D, Willgerodt M, Brown N. The Frontline Health Care Workers in Schools: Health Equity, the Distribution of School Nurses, and Student Access. J Sch Nurs 2023; 39:357-367. [PMID: 34189973 DOI: 10.1177/10598405211024277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The extent to which observed disparities in access to primary pediatric care are mirrored in student access to school nursing services is unknown. Using school employment records, we linked 1,346 nurses to school districts serving 1,141,495 students in Washington state. The percentage of students who are Black is negatively associated with the student-to-nurse ratio, while the percentage of students eligible for free-or-reduced-price lunch is positively associated, and relative to urban districts, rural districts have higher student-to-nurse ratios. Disparities in access to school nursing services mirror access gaps for pediatric care along socioeconomic status and geography. The increased number of nurses working in districts with more racial/ethnic minority students may play a protective role and ameliorate access gaps observed in pediatric primary care. States can likely use existing employment and licensing data to understand where school nurses work and therefore guide resource allocation decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Gratz
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Education Data and Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dan Goldhaber
- Center for Education Data and Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- The Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research, American Institutes for Research, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Mayumi Willgerodt
- Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nate Brown
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Education Data and Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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15
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Georgeades C, Young SA, Nataliansyah MM, Van Arendonk KJ. Characterizing rural families' experiences receiving pediatric surgical care: A qualitative study. J Rural Health 2023; 39:833-843. [PMID: 37430387 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12777] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Access to pediatric surgical care is influenced by multiple factors, including proximity to care and financial resources. There is limited understanding regarding the process by which rural children acquire surgical care. We qualitatively explored rural families' experiences seeking surgical care for their children at a major children's hospital. METHODS Parents or legal guardians ≥18 years of age with children who received general surgical care at a major children's hospital and who lived in rural areas were included. Operative logs from 2020 to 2021 and postoperative clinic visits were used to identify families. Semi-structured interviews explored rural families' experiences receiving surgical care. Interviews were inductively and deductively analyzed to create codes and identify thematic domains. Twelve interviews (with 15 individuals) were conducted before thematic saturation was reached. FINDINGS Children were predominantly White (92%) and lived a median of 98.3 mi (interquartile range 49.4-147.0 mi) from the hospital. Four thematic domains were identified: (1) Accessing surgical care included difficulties with referral processes and travel/lodging burdens; (2) surgical care processes involved treatment details and provider/hospital expertise; (3) resources for navigating care encompassed families' employment status, financial burden, and technology use; and (4) social support included family situations, emotions and stress, and coping with diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Rural families experienced difficulties with obtaining referrals, challenges with travel and employment, and the benefits of technology use. These findings can be applied to the development of tools that can ease challenges faced by rural families whose children require surgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Georgeades
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Staci A Young
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Healthy Communities and Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mochamad Muska Nataliansyah
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kyle J Van Arendonk
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Pergeline J, Rey S, Fresson J, Debeugny G, Rachas A, Tuppin P. Factors associated with hospital admission and 30-day readmission for children less than 18 years of age in 2018 in France: a one-year nationwide observational study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:901. [PMID: 37612699 PMCID: PMC10464416 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09861-2] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nationwide data for children for short-stay hospitalisation (SSH) and associated factors are scarce. This retrospective study of children in France < 18 years of age followed after their birth or birthday in 2018 focused on at least one annual SSH, stay < 1 night or ≥ 1 night, or 30-day readmission ≥ 1 night. METHODS Children were selected from the national health data system (SNDS), which includes data on long-term chronic disease (LTD) status with full reimbursement and complementary universal coverage based on low household income (CMUC). Uni and multivariate quasi-Poisson regression were applied for each outcome. RESULTS Among 13.211 million children (94.4% population, 51.2% boys), CMUC was identified for 17.5% and at least one LTD for 4% (0-<1 year: 1.5%; 14-<18 year: 5.2%). The most frequent LTDs were pervasive developmental diseases (0.53%), asthma (0.24%), epilepsy (0.17%), and type 1 diabetes (0.15%). At least one SSH was found for 8.8%: SSH < 1 night (4.9%), SSH ≥ 1 night (4.5%), readmission (0.4%). Children with at least one SSH were younger (median 6 vs. 9 years) and more often had CMUC (21%), a LTD (12%), an emergency department (ED) visit (56%), or various primary healthcare visits than all children. Those with a SSH ≥1 night vs. < 1 night were older (median: 9 vs. 4 years). They had the same frequency of LTD (13.4%) but more often an ED visit (78% vs. 42%). Children with readmissions were younger (median 3 years). They had the highest levels of CMUC (29.3%), LTD (34%), EDs in their municipality (35% vs. 29% for the whole population) and ED visits (87%). In adjusted analysis, each outcome was significantly less frequent among girls than boys and more frequent for children with CMUC. LTDs with the largest association with SSH < 1 night were cystic fibrosis, sickle cell diseases (SCD), diabetes type 1, those with SSH ≥1 night type 1 diabetes epilepsy and SCD, and those for readmissions lymphoid leukaemia, malignant neoplasm of the brain, and SCD. Among all SSH admissions of children < 10 years, 25.8% were potentially preventable. CONCLUSION Higher SSH and readmission rates were found for children with certain LTD living in low-income households, suggesting the need or increase of specific policy actions and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Pergeline
- Caisse Nationale de l'Assurance Maladie, Direction de la Stratégie des Etudes et des Statistiques, F-75986, Paris Cedex 20, France
| | - Sylvie Rey
- Direction de la Recherche, des Etudes, de l'Evaluation et des Statistiques (Drees), 75015, Paris, France
| | - Jeanne Fresson
- Direction de la Recherche, des Etudes, de l'Evaluation et des Statistiques (Drees), 75015, Paris, France
| | - Gonzague Debeugny
- Caisse Nationale de l'Assurance Maladie, Direction de la Stratégie des Etudes et des Statistiques, F-75986, Paris Cedex 20, France
| | - Antoine Rachas
- Caisse Nationale de l'Assurance Maladie, Direction de la Stratégie des Etudes et des Statistiques, F-75986, Paris Cedex 20, France
| | - Philippe Tuppin
- Caisse Nationale de l'Assurance Maladie, Direction de la Stratégie des Etudes et des Statistiques, F-75986, Paris Cedex 20, France.
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Georgeades C, Vacek J, Thurm C, Hall M, Rangel S, Minneci PC, Oldham K, Van Arendonk KJ. Association of Rural Residence With Surgical Outcomes Among Infants at US Children's Hospitals. Hosp Pediatr 2023; 13:733-743. [PMID: 37470121 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Disparities in pediatric health outcomes are widespread. It is unclear whether rurality negatively impacts outcomes of infants with surgical congenital diseases. This study compared outcomes of rural versus urban infants requiring complex surgical care at children's hospitals in the United States. METHODS Rural and urban infants (aged <1 year) receiving surgical care at children's hospitals from 2016 to 2019 for esophageal atresia, gastroschisis, Hirschsprung's disease, anorectal malformation, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia were compared over a 1-year postoperative period using the Pediatric Health Information System. Generalized linear mixed effects models compared outcomes of rural and urban infants. RESULTS Among 5732 infants, 20.2% lived in rural areas. Rural infants were more frequently white, lived farther from the hospital, and lived in areas with lower median household income compared with urban infants (all P < .001). Rural infants with anorectal malformation and gastroschisis had lower adjusted hospital days over 1 year; rural infants with esophageal atresia had higher adjusted odds of 30-day hospital readmission. Adjusted mortality, hospital days, and readmissions were otherwise similar between the 2 groups. Outcomes remained similar when comparing urban infants to rural infant subgroups with the longest hospital travel distance (≥60 miles) and lowest median household income (<$35 000). CONCLUSIONS Despite longer travel distances and lower financial resources, rural infants with congenital anomalies have similar postoperative outcomes to urban infants when treated at children's hospitals. Future work is needed to examine outcomes for infants treated outside children's hospitals and to determine whether efforts are necessary to increase access to children's hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan Vacek
- Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Cary Thurm
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas
| | - Matt Hall
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas
| | - Shawn Rangel
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter C Minneci
- Center for Surgical Outcomes Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute and Department of Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Keith Oldham
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Stephens CQ, Ashok A, Gee A, Jafri M, Hamilton NA, Lehrfeld D, Newgard C, Krishnaswami S. Pediatric Trauma Care Standardization: A Statewide Survey of Trauma Providers and Program Managers. J Surg Res 2023; 288:178-187. [PMID: 36989834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rural-urban disparities in pediatric trauma outcomes are well documented. However, few studies examine how differences in setting and resources impact rural providers' approach to trauma. We sought to understand the provider experience in managing injured children across our state and assess the potential for standardization of care. METHODS A statewide cross-sectional survey was distributed to trauma providers and program managers through the American College of Surgeons, the Oregon Medical Board lists, and the State Trauma Advisory Board. Topics included pediatric management processes, challenges, and transfer or admission procedures. Rural-urban commuting codes were used to categorize responses. RESULTS Of the 350 individuals who sent the survey, 68 responded (response rate 19%), representing 67% of trauma-verified hospitals and 72% of Oregon counties. Fifty-six respondents (82%) care for injured children, with 58% practicing rurally and 22% at critical access hospitals. Rural providers experienced lower trauma volumes (<1 patient/month, 63% versus 0%, P < 0.001), more difficulties obtaining pediatric-appropriate material resources (44% versus 30%), and challenges caring for infants/toddlers (25% versus 17%). Despite 77% of rural providers stating that <10% of patients had multisystem injuries, they described using full-body CT often (41% versus 10%, P = 0.007). Transfer interruptions were common (93%), with 44% having cancelled a transfer. The majority supported admission/transfer (85%) and imaging (82%) protocols. CONCLUSIONS Rural providers experience lower pediatric trauma volumes, greater material-resource issues, and discomfort with traumatically injured small children. Lack of care standardization may lead to reliance on full-body CT, and potentially complex/avoidable transfers. Adoption of standardized protocols could facilitate a state-wide collaborative approach to pediatric trauma management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arjun Ashok
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Arvin Gee
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Mubeen Jafri
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | | | | | - Craig Newgard
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Van Horn AJ, Good R, Thatcher AL, Nation JJ, Friesen TL, Kirkham EM. Hospital Admissions in Pediatric Patients With Tracheostomies Based on Rurality and Insurance Status. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 169:129-135. [PMID: 36939588 PMCID: PMC10293020 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine whether rurality or public insurance status is associated with greater 30-day readmission after tracheostomy in pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) Database. METHODS Patients within PHIS who underwent tracheostomy from 2013 to 2017 were included. Rural status was defined by rural-urban commuting area codes. Insurance status was based on the primary payer. All-cause 30-day readmissions and tracheostomy-related readmissions were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to test for differences in readmissions between cohorts. RESULTS Among patients, 1092 were rural, and 4329 were publicly insured, with no significant association between rurality and insurance. Compared to nonrural patients, rural patients were more frequently white, less frequently ventilator dependent, and more likely discharged home rather than to a care facility. Publicly insured patients were more frequently non-white. Twenty-eight percent of patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Odds of 30-day readmission were lower in rural patients (odds ratio [OR]: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-0.95, p = .01) but higher in publicly insured (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09-1.42, p = .001) controlling for age at tracheostomy, sex, race, and ventilator dependence. The odds of tracheostomy-related admission did not differ by rurality but were higher in publicly insured children (1.39, 95% CI: 1.03-1.88, p = .03). CONCLUSION Readmission within 30 days following tracheostomy was more likely in publicly insured patients and less likely in rural patients. These findings help identify at-risk patients when considering discharge planning and follow-up. More work is needed to understand long-term tracheostomy outcomes in these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Van Horn
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA
| | - Raquel Good
- Division of Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Aaron L Thatcher
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Javan J Nation
- Division of Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tzyynong L Friesen
- Division of Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Erin M Kirkham
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Georgeades C, Farazi MR, Gainer H, Flynn-O'Brien KT, Leys CM, Gourlay D, Van Arendonk KJ. Distribution of acute appendicitis care in children: A statewide assessment of the surgeons and facilities providing surgical care. Surgery 2023; 173:765-773. [PMID: 36244816 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric appendicitis is managed by general and pediatric surgeons at both children's hospitals and non-children's hospitals. A statewide assessment of surgeons and facilities providing appendicitis care was performed to identify factors associated with location of surgical care. METHODS Children aged <18 years undergoing appendectomy for appendicitis in Wisconsin from 2018-2020 were identified through the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, and Current Procedural Terminology codes using Wisconsin Hospital Association data. Patient residence and hospital locations were used to determine travel distance, rurality, and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status. RESULTS Among 3,604 children with appendicitis, 36.0% and 12.8% had an appendectomy at 2 major children's hospitals and 4 other children's hospitals, respectively, and 51.2% had an appendectomy at 99 non-children's hospitals. Pediatric surgeons performed 76.1% of appendectomies at children's hospitals and 2.9% at non-children's hospitals. Only 32.2% of patients received care at the hospital closest to their homes. Non-children's hospitals disproportionally cared for older, non-Hispanic White, and privately insured children, those with uncomplicated appendicitis, and those living in rural areas, in mid-socioeconomic status neighborhoods, and greater distances from children's hospitals (all P < .001). After multivariable adjustment, receipt of care at children's hospitals was associated with younger age, minority race, complicated appendicitis, shorter distance to children's hospitals, and urban residence. CONCLUSION Over half of surgical care for pediatric appendicitis occurred at non-children's hospitals, especially among older children and those living in rural areas far from children's hospitals. Future work is necessary to determine which children benefit most from care at children's hospitals and which can safely receive care at non-children's hospitals to avoid unnecessary time and resource utilization associated with travel to children's hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Georgeades
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
| | - Manzur R Farazi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Hailey Gainer
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | | | - Charles M Leys
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
| | - David Gourlay
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Kyle J Van Arendonk
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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21
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National Trends in Orthognathic Surgery: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of 6640 Patients. J Craniofac Surg 2023:00001665-990000000-00562. [PMID: 36804875 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000009188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND LeFort I osteotomy (LF1) and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) have unique operative challenges and inherent anatomic considerations that predispose to certain adverse outcomes, yet their respective complication profiles continue to be debated given conflicting results from single-center investigations. The purpose of this study is to perform a multi-institutional analysis of complications, socioeconomic trends, and financial charges associated with orthognathic surgery. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted of orthognathic procedures performed in the United States from 2010 through 2020 using the Pediatric Health Information System. Patients younger than 12 years of age were excluded. Medical complications, surgical complications, and admission costs were compared across procedures. Socioeconomic determinants and trends across regions of the country were also analyzed. RESULTS During the study interval, 6640 patients underwent orthognathic surgery, including LF1 (59.2%, n=3928), BSSO (14.4%, n=959), and double-jaw surgery (26.4%, n=1753). Patients undergoing LF1 were more likely to experience overall complications (P<0.001), infections (P<0.001), and blood transfusions (P<0.001) than those undergoing BSSO. High-volume hospitals were more likely to perform double-jaw procedures than other hospitals (P<0.001), yet high-volume hospitals were less likely to have surgical complications (P=0.014). Patient admission charges related to orthognathic operations at high-volume hospitals were less than other hospitals (P<0.001). Household income was higher for orthognathic procedures performed at high-volume hospitals (P<0.001). White patients were 1.5 times more likely to choose a farther, higher volume hospital for orthognathic surgery than the one locally available (P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS LeFort I osteotomy procedures had higher infection and transfusion rates than BSSO procedures. High-volume hospitals were more likely to perform double-jaw procedures, yet high-volume hospitals had fewer complications and decreased admission charges. Future study will be needed to further elucidate case-mix index details and socioeconomic determinants of health contributing to these disparities.
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22
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Friesen TL, Hall M, Ramchandar N, Berry JG, Jiang W. Evolving Management of Acute Mastoiditis: Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System Database. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023. [PMID: 36939424 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The optimal management of acute mastoiditis remains controversial. Most existing studies are retrospective single-institutional experiences with small cohorts. Our objectives were to analyze the treatment of acute mastoiditis by pediatric centers across the United States and changes in management over time. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Administrative database study using Pediatric Health Information System. METHODS Patients ≤18 years of age who were admitted with a principal diagnosis of acute mastoiditis from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 were included. Trends were assessed by Cochran-Armitage Trend Test. χ2 and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare outcomes between the surgical and nonsurgical groups. RESULTS A total of 2170 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 1248 (57.5%) requiring surgical management. The rate of surgical procedures decreased significantly over time. The rate of myringotomy decreased from 64% in 2010 to 47% in 2019 (p < .001), and mastoidectomy decreased from 22% in 2010 to 10% in 2019 (p < .001). On admission, 29% of the cohort presented with mastoiditis-related complications. Patients treated surgically were younger (p < .001), more likely to present with complications (37.5% vs 17.5%, p < .001), required longer length of stay (3.7 vs 2.3 days, p < .001), and had higher intensive care unit utilization (8.6% vs 2.2%, p < .001). However, the rate of 30-day readmission, emergency department return, and in-hospital mortality were all similar. CONCLUSION Acute mastoiditis has been successfully treated with declining rates of a surgery over time. Younger patients who present with complications are more likely to be managed surgically, and the overall outcomes remain excellent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzyynong L Friesen
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Division of Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Matt Hall
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas, USA
| | - Nanda Ramchandar
- Department of Pediatrics, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jay G Berry
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wen Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Division of Otolaryngology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
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Jewell VD, Wise AC, Knezevich EL, Abbott AA, Feiten B, Dostal K. Type 1 Diabetes Management and Health Care Experiences Across Rural Nebraska. J Pediatr Health Care 2023; 37:48-55. [PMID: 36064764 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to explore the unique health care needs of rural Nebraska families with a child with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHOD Using a phenomenological approach, the researchers conducted four focus groups across Nebraska. The focus groups gathered input from children, caregivers, and health care providers (n = 23). The researchers coded data and generated themes. Member checking, researcher triangulation, reflexivity, a thick description of the process, and an audit trail established trustworthiness. RESULTS Four themes emerged: dramatic family and lifestyle changes following diagnosis, lack of access to specialized care resulting in complications, isolation improved health management resourcefulness, and technology improved health management and flexibility. DISCUSSION Lifestyle changes persist after a child's diagnosis with T1DM. Rural families reported unpredictable health status of their child, reduced health care services, and limited information access. Conversely, limited specialty health care access, resources, and community support led to creative self-education, advocacy, and health care management strategies. Diabetes technology offered opportunities for improved provider-patient communication and continuous glucose monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa D Jewell
- University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Chapel Hill, NC.
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Freed GL, Wickham KL. Assessing the pediatric subspecialty pipeline: it is all about the data source. Pediatr Res 2022:10.1038/s41390-022-02438-5. [PMID: 36564480 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02438-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND National Resident Match Program (NRMP) data are often used to identify the pediatric subspecialty pipeline. Other data sources may provide greater accuracy. METHODS Analysis of data from the NRMP and the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) for 14 pediatric subspecialties from 2008 to 2020. We calculated, within each subspecialty, the annual number of first-year fellowship positions offered, the NRMP match rate, the actual number of fellows entering training (ABP data) relative to the number of positions in the match (fill rate), and the actual number of matriculating first-year fellows each year. RESULTS For all subspecialties and years, the fill rate was greater than the match rate. All subspecialties had an increase in the relative and absolute number of first-year fellows, with the largest increases seen in emergency medicine (73.3%) and critical care (68.9%). Except for adolescent medicine, all subspecialties had an absolute increase in the number of positions offered, with the largest increase in pulmonology (32.1%). CONCLUSIONS NRMP data underestimate the actual number of first-year fellows entering subspecialty training. For all subspecialties, the number of first-year fellows has increased over time, indicating continued expansion in the pipeline for most. However, there remains great variation across subspecialties. IMPACT Perceptions of the pipeline for the pediatric subspecialty workforce vary depending on the data source. The use of NMRP match data alone underestimates the number of matriculating trainees. The number of unmatched fellowship positions has created a perception of a diminishing number of pediatric subspecialty fellows. This study uses multiple data sources to better understand the actual number of fellows entering pediatric subspecialty training and demonstrates that the NRMP match rate alone underestimates the pipeline of the pediatric subspecialty workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary L Freed
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center (CHEAR), University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Kyle L Wickham
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Jiang W, Hall M, Newfield R, Berry JG. Short-term pediatric thyroidectomy outcome: Analysis of the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2022; 163:111340. [PMID: 36274324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thyroidectomy is the most commonly performed pediatric endocrine surgery. Our objective is to measure the short-term outcome of pediatric thyroidectomies, and report on factors associated with postoperative complications. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study, performed using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database on patients ≤18 years of age, from 47 children's hospitals across the United States, who underwent partial or total thyroidectomy from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2019. RESULTS A total of 6405 patients were included, mostly female (76.8%), and 46.9% were 15-18 years-old. Age <1 year, Hispanic and Black race, comorbidity with complex chronic conditions were associated with more complications. The overall short-term complication rate was 27.7%, with hypocalcemia accounting for the majority (15.6%). Complication rates were lower in benign or non-specific thyroid nodules as compared with malignancy and Graves' disease. Complication rates were significantly lower for partial thyroidectomy versus total thyroidectomy and both neck dissections and parathyroid re-implantations were associated with increased risk of complications. The mean length of stay was 1.4 days. Complications were associated with prolonged hospital stay (2.4 vs. 1.2 days) and increased cost ($19441 vs. $11232) (p < 0.001), but not associated with hospital volume (p = 0.36). CONCLUSION Endocrine-related complications accounts for the majority of surgical morbidity following pediatric thyroidectomies performed at pediatric hospitals, and complications does not appear to be correlate with surgical volume. The calculated Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABC) pooled complication rates from the top performing hospitals may serve as a goal for improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Matt Hall
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, KS, USA
| | - Ron Newfield
- Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jay G Berry
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Gross K, Georgeades C, Farazi M, Calaway L, Gourlay D, Van Arendonk KJ. Utilization and Adequacy of Telemedicine for Outpatient Pediatric Surgical Care. J Surg Res 2022; 278:179-189. [PMID: 35605570 PMCID: PMC9121887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Telemedicine (TM) use accelerated out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the utility of TM within the pediatric surgery population is unclear. This study measured utilization, adequacy, and disparities in uptake of TM in pediatric surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Scheduled outpatient pediatric surgery clinic encounters at a large academic children's hospital from January 2020 through March 2021 were reviewed. Sub-group analysis examined post-operative (PO) visits after appendectomy and umbilical, epigastric, and inguinal hernia repairs. RESULTS Of 9149 scheduled visits, 87.9% were in-person and 12.1% were TM. TM visits were scheduled for PO care (76.9%), new consultations (7.1%), and established patients (16.0%). Although TM visits were more frequently canceled or no shows (P < 0.001), most canceled TM visits were PO visits, of which 41.7% were canceled via electronic communication reporting the absence of any PO concerns. TM visits were adequate for accomplishing visit goals in 98.2%, 95.5%, and 96.2% of PO, new, and established patient visits, respectively. Patients utilizing TM visits were more frequently of white race, privately-insured, from less disadvantaged neighborhoods, and living a greater distance from clinic (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS TM was adequate for the majority of visits in which it was utilized, including the basic PO visits that occurred via TM. TM was used more by patients with greater travel and less by those of minority race, with public insurance, and from more disadvantaged neighborhoods. Future work is necessary to ensure broad access to this useful tool for all children requiring surgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall Gross
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Christina Georgeades
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Manzur Farazi
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Lynn Calaway
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - David Gourlay
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Kyle J Van Arendonk
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Jiang W, Hall M, Berry JG. Comparative Effectiveness of Dexamethasone Versus Prednisone in Children Hospitalized With Acute Croup. Hosp Pediatr 2022; 12:892-898. [PMID: 36106471 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2022-006567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the effectiveness of dexamethasone versus prednisone or prednisolone on hospital resource utilization for children hospitalized with acute croup. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of the Pediatric Health Information System database on children aged 6 months to <6 years who were hospitalized with acute croup between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. Children with a chronic complex condition, transferred from outside hospital, and/or received direction admission to ICU were excluded. Propensity score matching was used to compare length of stay (in hours), escalation of care to ICU, and the need for bronchoscopy with exposure to dexamethasone versus prednisone or prednisolone. We also compared rates of 7 day return to the emergency department and readmissions. RESULTS A total of 11 740 hospitalizations met inclusion criteria; dexamethasone was used in 95.9%; prednisone or prednisolone was used in 4.1%. In the matched cohort (n = 960), the length of stay was not significantly different between the dexamethasone and prednisone or prednisolone groups (21.3 vs 18.5 hours, P = .35). Although the rates bronchoscopy did not differ between the 2 groups, the dexamethasone cohort was more likely to require ICU transfer (P = .007). The rates of 7-day emergency department returns (2.3% vs 1.3%, P = .24) and readmissions (3.1% vs. 2.1%, P = .37) were low and not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS Hospital resource utilization did not differ significantly for children receiving dexamethasone or prednisone or prednisolone for acute croup. Both corticosteroids may be considered reasonable choices for the treatment of children hospitalized with acute croup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
- Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Matt Hall
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas
| | - Jay G Berry
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Buss R, SenthilKumar G, Bouchard M, Bowder A, Marquart J, Cooke-Barber J, Vore E, Beals D, Raval M, Rich BS, Goldstein S, Van Arendonk K. Geographic barriers to children's surgical care: A systematic review of existing evidence. J Pediatr Surg 2022; 57:107-117. [PMID: 34963510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ensuring that children have access to timely and appropriate surgical care is a vital component of comprehensive pediatric care. This study systematically reviews the existing evidence related to geographic barriers in children's surgery. METHODS Medline and Scopus databases were searched for any English language studies that examined associations between geographic burden (rural residence or distance to care) and a quantifiable outcome within pediatric surgical subspecialties. Two independent reviewers extracted data from each study. RESULTS From 6331 studies screened, 22 studies met inclusion criteria. Most studies were retrospective analyses and conducted in the U.S. or Canada (14 and three studies, respectively); five were conducted outside North America. In transplant surgery (seven studies), greater distance from a transplant center was associated with higher waitlist mortality prior to kidney and liver transplantation, although graft outcomes were generally similar. In congenital cardiac surgery (five studies), greater travel was associated with higher neonatal mortality and older age at surgery but not with post-operative outcomes. In general surgery (eight studies), rural residence was associated with increased rates of perforated appendicitis, higher frequency of negative appendectomy, and increased length of stay after appendectomy. In orthopedic surgery (one study), rurality was associated with decreased post-operative satisfaction. No evidence for disparate outcomes based upon distance or rurality was identified in neurosurgery (one study). CONCLUSIONS Substantial evidence suggests that geographic barriers impact the receipt of surgical care among children, particularly with regard to transplantation, congenital cardiac surgery, and appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radek Buss
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Gopika SenthilKumar
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Megan Bouchard
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Alexis Bowder
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - John Marquart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Jo Cooke-Barber
- Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, 3333 Burnet Ave. ML 2023, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Emily Vore
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University Medical Center, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Suite 2500, Huntington, WV 25701, United States
| | - Daniel Beals
- Department of Surgery, Marshall University Medical Center, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Suite 2500, Huntington, WV 25701, United States
| | - Mehul Raval
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Barrie S Rich
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Cohen Children's Medical Center, 450 Lakeville Rd, North New Hyde Park, NY 11042, United States
| | - Seth Goldstein
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Kyle Van Arendonk
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 999 North 92nd Street, Suite CCC 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States.
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Mercurio AM, Coene RP, Cook DL, Feldman L, Milewski MD. Influence of Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Factors on Meniscal Treatment With Pediatric and Adolescent ACL Reconstruction. Am J Sports Med 2022; 50:2909-2916. [PMID: 35916744 DOI: 10.1177/03635465221109607] [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: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is increasing over time in pediatric/adolescent populations, but there is less evidence to support how concomitant meniscal procedures are changing over time. There are also less data to suggest which characteristics are associated with meniscectomy versus meniscal repair treatment. HYPOTHESIS Age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, and insurance type may independently affect the rate of concomitant meniscal procedures and treatment modalities in pediatric patients with ACL reconstruction. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS The Pediatric Health Information System database was queried for all patients aged ≤18 years who underwent ACL reconstruction with or without concomitant meniscal procedures from 2015 to 2019. Basic demographic data including age, sex, self-identified race/ethnicity, rural-urban commuting area code, predicted median income, and insurance status were collected. Linear regression was used to model trends and multiple logistic regression modeling was used to test for associations. RESULTS A total of 14,398 patients aged ≤18 years underwent ACL reconstruction during the study period, with 8337 patients (58%) having concomitant meniscal procedures with a 1.24-fold increase over 5 years. Of the concomitant meniscal treatment cohort, 41% had a meniscectomy and 59% had meniscal repair. There was a 0.82-fold change in meniscectomy and a 1.67-fold increase in meniscal repair during the study period. Male patients, older patients, Black race, living in an urban area, and those with nonprivate insurance had increased odds of undergoing a concomitant meniscal procedure (all P < .05). Patients of non-White race and those with nonprivate insurance had increased odds of having a meniscectomy versus meniscal repair (all P < .05). There were no associations detected between income bracket and the outcomes in this study. CONCLUSION This study shows that in pediatric and adolescent patients undergoing ACL reconstruction, there was a rise in concomitant meniscal procedures from 2015 to 2019. In addition, patients of non-White race and those with nonprivate insurance have increased odds of undergoing meniscectomy versus meniscal repair.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan P Coene
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Lanna Feldman
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew D Milewski
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Moyer KM, Verbeck N, Barnett MD, Denney-Koelsch EM, Ajayi T, Humphrey LM, Malhotra S, Ragsdale L, Waldman ED, Gustin JL. A National Survey to Guide Pediatric Curricula for Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellows. J Pain Symptom Manage 2022; 64:e165-e171. [PMID: 35523388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.04.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Moyer
- Hospice and Community Care (K.M.M.), Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Nicole Verbeck
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine (N.V.), Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael D Barnett
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (M.D.B.), Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Toluwalase Ajayi
- Scripps Health and Rady Children's Hospital (T.A.), San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lisa M Humphrey
- Nationwide Children's Hospital (L.M.H.), Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sonia Malhotra
- Tulane University School of Medicine and Louisiana State University School of Medicine (S.M.), New Orleans, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Lindsay Ragsdale
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine (L.R.), Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Elisha D Waldman
- Northwestern University School of Medicine / Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (E.D.W.), Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jillian L Gustin
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (J.L.G.), Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Ramos MM, Sebastian R, Shattuck D, Acosta S, Zamarin K. School Nursing Workforce Differences Between Urban and Non-Urban Areas: Implications for School Health Services and Equity. J Sch Nurs 2022:10598405221119516. [PMID: 35934943 DOI: 10.1177/10598405221119516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The professional experiences of school nurses who work outside of urban areas are not often described. We used data from a 2019 statewide survey of school nurses to describe differences between the urban and non-urban (urban cluster and rural) school nurse workforce in New Mexico. Non-urban school nurses were twice as likely as urban nurses to provide clinical services to multiple school campuses (P < .001) and more likely to serve both elementary and secondary school settings (P = .002). They were less likely than urban school nurses to be bachelor's prepared, or to have received recent continuing education on diabetes (P < .001), reproductive health (P = 0.02), LGBQ+ and transgender student health (P < .001, for each), and suicide risk assessment and screening (P = .012). Our findings underscore concerns about geographic differences in the school nursing workforce in terms of educational preparation and student access that could potentially limit the school nurse role in advancing child health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Ramos
- Department of Pediatrics, 12289University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Rachel Sebastian
- 11209Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation - Southwest, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Daniel Shattuck
- 11209Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation - Southwest, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Susan Acosta
- 1107New Mexico Department of Health, Office of School and Adolescent Health, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kim Zamarin
- 11209Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation - Southwest, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Quinn ED, Cotter K, Kurin K, Brown K. Conducting a Community Engagement Studio to Adapt Enhanced Milieu Teaching. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2022; 31:1095-1113. [PMID: 35007426 PMCID: PMC9567404 DOI: 10.1044/2021_ajslp-21-00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Barriers to implementing evidence-based practices occur at various levels. Stakeholder input is required to identify challenges specific to clinical practice settings, client populations, and service delivery approaches. The purpose of this project was to solicit feedback from stakeholders on the telepractice service delivery and implementation strategies proposed for a future study of enhanced milieu teaching (EMT) in rural counties. METHOD A Community Engagement Studio was conducted with 11 caregivers of children with language delays living in rural counties. Caregivers and the researchers discussed early intervention service delivery for children with language delays in rural Oregon and the proposed telepractice EMT procedures. Researchers gathered feedback on three intervention components: session frequency and schedule, implementation strategies to encourage caregivers' use of EMT, and performance feedback techniques to teach caregivers. RESULTS Findings from the Community Engagement Studio led to four primary modifications to the telepractice EMT study protocol. The principal investigator increased available days and times for intervention sessions and added text-message reminders for parents. A survey was also added for caregivers to identify their preferences for additional implementation strategies (e.g., tip sheets, checklist, e-mailed session summaries) and graphic representations of performance feedback (e.g., bar graph, radial graph, mountain climber infographic). CONCLUSION Community Engagement Studios are a promising method for increasing community engagement in clinical research and soliciting stakeholder feedback on evidence-based intervention adaptations. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.17774819.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily D. Quinn
- Institute on Development and Disability, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Kathleen Cotter
- Institute on Development and Disability, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Kim Kurin
- Institute on Development and Disability, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
| | - Kim Brown
- Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement, Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland
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Rees CA, Stewart AM, Mehta S, Avakame E, Jackson J, McKay J, Portillo EN, Michelson KA, Duggan CP, Fleegler EW. Reporting of Participant Race and Ethnicity in Published US Pediatric Clinical Trials From 2011 to 2020. JAMA Pediatr 2022; 176:e220142. [PMID: 35311946 PMCID: PMC8938892 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Equitable representation of participants who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups in clinical trials enhances inclusivity in the scientific process and generalizability of results. Objective To assess participant race and ethnicity in pediatric clinical trials published from 2011 to 2020. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study examined articles reporting pediatric clinical trials conducted in the US published in 5 leading general pediatric and 5 leading general medical journals from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures Reporting of participant race and ethnicity and comparison of enrolled participants vs US census populations of pediatric racial and ethnic groups in published clinical trials. Results The study included 612 articles reporting pediatric clinical trials during the study period, with 565 618 total participants (median per trial, 200 participants [IQR, 90-571 participants]). Of the 612 articles, 486 (79.4%) reported participant race and 338 (55.2%) reported participant ethnicity. From 2011 to 2020, relative rates of reporting of participant race increased by 7.9% per year (95% CI, 0.2%-16.3% per year) and reporting of ethnicity increased by 11.4% per year (95% CI, 4.8%-18.4% per year). Among articles reporting race and ethnicity, the method of assignment was not reported in 261 of 511 articles (51.1%) and 207 of 359 articles (57.7%), respectively. Black/African American children were enrolled proportionally more than the US population of Black/African American children (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% CI, 1.87-1.89). Hispanic/Latino children were enrolled commensurately with the US population of Hispanic/Latino children (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03). American Indian/Alaska Native (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.79-0.85), Asian (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.55-0.57), and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.61-0.72) children were enrolled significantly less compared with the respective US populations of these groups. White children were enrolled less than expected (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.84-0.85) but represented 188 156 (46.0%) of participants in trials reporting race or ethnicity. Conclusions and Relevance This cross-sectional study revealed that the proportion of published pediatric clinical trials that reported participant race and ethnicity increased from 2011 to 2020, but participant race and ethnicity were still underreported. Disparities existed in pediatric clinical trial enrollment of American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander children. The greater representation of Black/African American children compared with the US population suggests inclusive research practices that could be extended to other historically disenfranchised racial and ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris A. Rees
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amanda M. Stewart
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sagar Mehta
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Elorm Avakame
- Children’s National Medical Center, George Washington School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Jasmyne Jackson
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jheanelle McKay
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elyse N. Portillo
- Section of Emergency Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Kenneth A. Michelson
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher P. Duggan
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Nutrition, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Eric W. Fleegler
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Leyenaar JK, Esporas M, Mangione-Smith R. How Does Pediatric Quality Measure Development Reflect the Real World Needs of Hospitalized Children? Acad Pediatr 2022; 22:S70-S72. [PMID: 35339245 PMCID: PMC9614710 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- JoAnna K. Leyenaar
- The Department of Pediatrics and The Dartmouth Institute of Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, 03755
| | - Megan Esporas
- Children’s Hospital Association, 600 13th Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005
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Kalmar CL, Zapatero ZD, Kosyk MS, Bartlett SP, Taylor JA. Geographic Financial Analysis of Craniosynostosis Surgery in the United States. J Craniofac Surg 2022; 33:1282-1287. [PMID: 35275858 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000008627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the financial implications of demographic and socioeconomic factors upon the cost of surgical procedures for craniosynostosis. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted of admissions for craniosynostosis surgery in the United States from 2015 through 2020 using the Pediatric Health Information System. Patient demographics, case volume, and surgical approach were analyzed in context of hospital charges. RESULTS During the study interval, 3869 patients were admitted for surgery for craniosynostosis. In multivariate regression accounting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, hospital admission charges were significantly higher in patients with longer hospital length of stay (P < 0.001), longer ICU length of stay (P < 0.001), living in an underserved area (P = 0.046), preoperative risk factors (P = 0.016), and those undergoing open procedures (P < 0.001); hospital admission charges were significantly lower in patients with White race (P = 0.020) and those treated at high-volume centers (P < 0.001). In multivariate regression, ICU length of stay was significantly higher in patients with preoperative risk factors (P < 0.001), undergoing open procedures (P < 0.001), government insurance (P = 0.018), and not treated at high-volume centers (P = 0.005). There were significant differences in admission charges (P < 0.001), charge-to-cost ratios (P < 0.001), and likelihood of being treated at high-volume craniofacial centers (P < 0.001) across geographic regions of the country. CONCLUSIONS In the United States, there is significant sociodemographic variability in charges for craniosynostosis care, with increased hospital charges independently associated with non-White race, preoperative risk factors, and living in an underserved area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Kalmar
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA
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Bouchard ME, Kwon S, Many BT, Vacek JC, Abdullah F, Ghomrawi H. Impact of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion on tertiary pediatric surgical care. J Pediatr Surg 2022; 57:502-508. [PMID: 34034883 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many children gained insurance with the 2014 Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Medicaid Expansion (ME), yet its impact on access to pediatric tertiary surgical care remains unknown. We examined the effect of ME on rates of elective, ambulatory surgery (EAS), especially among publicly-insured and ethnoracial-minority patients. METHODS Surgical patients ≤18 years between 2012 and 2018 were identified using the Pediatric Health Information System. Interrupted time series analyses were conducted to predict the monthly proportion of publicly-insured patients and EAS rates in ME and nonexpansion states. RESULTS 3,270,842 patients were included. Nonexpansion states demonstrated a 1.10% (p<0.05) increase in the proportion of publicly-insured patients at ACA implementation, which then plateaued. No immediate change was observed in ME states, but there was an annual 1.08% (p<0.01) decrease in subsequent years. Publicly-insured EAS rates decreased by 1.09% (p<0.01) in nonexpansion states; no change was observed in ME states. A 3.36% (p<0.01) increase in EAS rates was observed in nonexpansion and ME states. The gap in EAS rates increased between private and publicly-insured patients in nonexpansion, but not ME states. CONCLUSIONS Increased coverage for children in ME states was not associated with more access to tertiary pediatric surgical care; however, while nonexpansion states saw an increase in insurance-based disparities, ME states did not. Though insurance coverage is critical to access, other factors may be contributing to persistent disparities in access to pediatric surgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Bouchard
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Soyang Kwon
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Benjamin T Many
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jonathan C Vacek
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Fizan Abdullah
- Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Hassan Ghomrawi
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States.
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37
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Cree RA, So M, Franks J, Richards R, Leeb R, Hashikawa A, Krug S, Ludwig L, Olson LM. Characteristics Associated With Presence of Pediatric Mental Health Care Policies in Emergency Departments. Pediatr Emerg Care 2021; 37:e1116-e1121. [PMID: 31738300 PMCID: PMC7217715 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000001920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The majority of US children do not have access to an emergency department (ED) with a pediatric mental health care policy in place. Our objective was to understand factors associated with whether US EDs have a pediatric mental health care policy. METHODS We analyzed data from the National Pediatric Readiness Project, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of US EDs. Nurse managers reported whether their hospitals had a policy to care for children with social/mental health concerns (n = 3612). We calculated prevalence estimates, prevalence ratios (PRs), and confidence intervals (CIs) for regional and ED characteristics (eg, rurality and types of personnel) by whether EDs had a pediatric mental health care policy. RESULTS Overall, 46.2% (n = 1668/3612) of EDs had a pediatric mental health care policy. Emergency departments located in remote areas were 60% less likely to have such a policy compared with EDs in urban areas (PR, 0.4; CI, 0.3-0.5). Emergency department characteristics associated with having a pediatric mental health care policy included having a policy to transfer children with social/mental health concerns (PR, 5.4; CI, 4.7-6.2), having a policy to address maltreatment (PR, 3.4; CI, 2.6-4.4), and having nurse and physician pediatric emergency care coordinators (PR, 1.6; CI, 1.5-1.8). CONCLUSIONS Lower prevalence of pediatric mental health policies in rural EDs is concerning considering EDs are often the first point of contact for pediatric patients. This work highlights the importance of pediatric emergency care coordinators in fostering ED capacity to meet children's mental health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn A. Cree
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Human Development and Disability, Atlanta, GA
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Marvin So
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education, Oak Ridge, TN
| | - Jessica Franks
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education, Oak Ridge, TN
| | - Rachel Richards
- University of Utah, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Rebecca Leeb
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Human Development and Disability, Atlanta, GA
| | - Andrew Hashikawa
- Michigan Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Steven Krug
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Lorah Ludwig
- Emergency Medical Services for Children, Division of Child, Adolescent, and Family Health, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD
| | - Lenora M. Olson
- University of Utah, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care, Salt Lake City, UT
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Cushing AM, Bucholz EM, Chien AT, Rauch DA, Michelson KA. Availability of Pediatric Inpatient Services in the United States. Pediatrics 2021; 148:peds.2020-041723. [PMID: 34127553 PMCID: PMC8642812 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-041723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate trends in pediatric inpatient unit capacity and access and to measure pediatric inpatient unit closures across the United States. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of 4720 US hospitals using the 2008-2018 American Hospital Association survey. We used linear regression to describe trends in pediatric inpatient unit and PICU capacity. We compared trends in pediatric inpatient days and bed counts by state. We examined changes in access to care by calculating distance to the nearest pediatric inpatient services by census block group. We analyzed hospital characteristics associated with pediatric inpatient unit closure in a survival model. RESULTS Pediatric inpatient units decreased by 19.1% (34 units per year; 95% confidence interval [CI] 31 to 37), and pediatric inpatient unit beds decreased by 11.8% (407 beds per year; 95% CI 347 to 468). PICU beds increased by 16.0% (66.9 beds per year; 95% CI 53 to 81), primarily at children's hospitals. Rural areas experienced steeper proportional declines in pediatric inpatient unit beds (-26.1% vs -10.0%). Most states experienced decreases in both pediatric inpatient unit beds (median state -18.5%) and pediatric inpatient days (median state -10.0%). Nearly one-quarter of US children experienced an increase in distance to their nearest pediatric inpatient unit. Low-volume pediatric units and those without an associated PICU were at highest risk of closing. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric inpatient unit capacity is decreasing in the United States. Access to inpatient care is declining for many children, particularly those in rural areas. PICU beds are increasing, primarily at large children's hospitals. Policy and surge planning improvements may be needed to mitigate the effects of these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Cushing
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emily M. Bucholz
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alyna T. Chien
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel A. Rauch
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Tufts Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kenneth A. Michelson
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Gill PJ, Anwar MR, Thavam T, Hall M, Rodean J, Kaiser SV, Srivastava R, Keren R, Mahant S. Identifying Conditions With High Prevalence, Cost, and Variation in Cost in US Children's Hospitals. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2117816. [PMID: 34309667 PMCID: PMC8314139 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.17816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Identifying high priority pediatric conditions is important for setting a research agenda in hospital pediatrics that will benefit families, clinicians, and the health care system. However, the last such prioritization study was conducted more than a decade ago and used International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. OBJECTIVES To identify conditions that should be prioritized for comparative effectiveness research based on prevalence, cost, and variation in cost of hospitalizations using contemporary data at US children's hospitals. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study of children with hospital encounters used data from the Pediatric Health Information System database. Children younger than 18 years with inpatient hospital encounters at 45 tertiary care US children's hospitals between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019, were included. Data were analyzed from March 2020 to April 2021. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The condition-specific prevalence and total standardized cost, the corresponding prevalence and cost ranks, and the variation in standardized cost per encounter across hospitals were analyzed. The variation in cost was assessed using the number of outlier hospitals and intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS There were 2 882 490 inpatient hospital encounters (median [interquartile range] age, 4 [1-12] years; 1 554 024 [53.9%] boys) included. Among the 50 most prevalent and 50 most costly conditions (total, 74 conditions), 49 (66.2%) were medical, 15 (20.3%) were surgical, and 10 (13.5%) were medical/surgical. The top 10 conditions by cost accounted for $12.4 billion of $33.4 billion total costs (37.4%) and 592 815 encounters (33.8% of all encounters). Of 74 conditions, 4 conditions had an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.30 or higher (ie, major depressive disorder: ICC, 0.49; type 1 diabetes with complications: ICC, 0.36; diabetic ketoacidosis: ICC, 0.33; acute appendicitis without peritonitis: ICC, 0.30), and 9 conditions had an ICC higher than 0.20 (scoliosis: ICC, 0.27; hypertrophy of tonsils and adenoids: ICC, 0.26; supracondylar fracture of humerus: ICC, 0.25; cleft lip and palate: ICC, 0.24; acute appendicitis with peritonitis: ICC, 0.21). Examples of conditions high in prevalence, cost, and variation in cost included major depressive disorder (cost rank, 19; prevalence rank, 10; ICC, 0.49), scoliosis (cost rank, 6; prevalence rank, 38; ICC, 0.27), acute appendicitis with peritonitis (cost rank, 13; prevalence rank, 11; ICC, 0.21), asthma (cost rank, 10; prevalence rank, 2; ICC, 0.17), and dehydration (cost rank, 24; prevalence rank, 8; ICC, 0.18). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study found that major depressive disorder, scoliosis, acute appendicitis with peritonitis, asthma, and dehydration were high in prevalence, costs, and variation in cost. These results could help identify where future comparative effectiveness research in hospital pediatrics should be targeted to improve the care and outcomes of hospitalized children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Gill
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mohammed Rashidul Anwar
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Thaksha Thavam
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matt Hall
- Children’s Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas
| | | | - Sunitha V. Kaiser
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, San Francisco, California
| | - Rajendu Srivastava
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City
- Healthcare Delivery Institute, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Ron Keren
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sanjay Mahant
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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40
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Powers RJ, Mokdad AA, Pezzin LE, Nattinger AB, Oldham KT, Van Arendonk KJ. Disparities in utilization of outpatient surgical care among children. Surgery 2021; 170:1815-1821. [PMID: 34167822 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2021.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to quantify disparities in the utilization of outpatient pediatric surgical care and to examine the extent to which neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with access to care among children. METHODS Clinic "no-shows" were examined among children scheduled from 2017 to 2019 at seven pediatric surgery clinics associated with a tertiary care children's hospital. The association between Area Deprivation Index, a neighborhood-level measure of socioeconomic disadvantage, and other patient factors with clinic no-shows was examined using multivariable logistic regression models. Difficulties in accessing postoperative care in particular were explored in a subgroup analysis of postoperative (within 90 days) clinic visits after appendectomy or inguinal/umbilical hernia repairs. RESULTS Among 10,162 patients, 16% had at least 1 no-show for a clinic appointment. Area Deprivation Index (most deprived decile adjusted odds ratio 3.17, 95% confidence interval 2.20-4.58, P < .001), Black race (adjusted odds ratio 3.30, 95% confidence interval 2.70-4.00, P < .001), and public insurance (adjusted odds ratio 2.75, 95% confidence interval 2.38-3.31, P < .001) were associated with having at least 1 no-show. Similar associations were identified among 2,399 children scheduled for postoperative clinic visits after undergoing appendectomy or inguinal/umbilical hernia repair, among whom 20% were a no-show. CONCLUSION Race, insurance type, and neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage are associated with disparities in utilization of outpatient pediatric surgical care. Challenges accessing routine outpatient care among disadvantaged children may be one mechanism through which disparate outcomes result among children requiring surgical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Powers
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Ali A Mokdad
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI. https://twitter.com/amokdad12
| | - Liliana E Pezzin
- Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Ann B Nattinger
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Keith T Oldham
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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Vinci RJ. The Pediatric Workforce: Recent Data Trends, Questions, and Challenges for the Future. Pediatrics 2021; 147:peds.2020-013292. [PMID: 33692163 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-013292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The future of the pediatric workforce has been the subject of significant dialogue in the pediatric community and generated much discussion in the academic literature. There are significant concerns regarding the ability of pediatricians to meet the growing demands of our pediatric population. Over the past 5 years, there has been a decline in the percentage of doctor of osteopathic medicine students who pursue a career in pediatrics but an equally important increase in the number of pediatric positions that are filled by doctor of osteopathic medicine students and international medical graduates. Although there has been an increase in the number of pediatric positions offered in the National Resident Matching Program, the last 4 years have seen a significant increase in the number of unfilled pediatric positions. A number of pediatric subspecialties struggle to fill their training positions, and those with low match rates may have 20% to 40% fewer applicants than positions. The pediatric vision for the future must include a commitment to a comprehensive strategic planning process with the many organizations involved across the multiple stages of the educational continuum. It is time to elucidate and address the questions raised by the workforce data. Developing solutions to these questions will require a careful planning process and a thoughtful analysis of the pediatric workforce data. Establishing this as an important priority will require a major collaborative effort between pediatric academic and professional organizations, but the future benefit to the nation's children will be significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Vinci
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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42
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Bouchard ME, Stewart DH, Hall M, Many BT, Vacek JC, Papastefan S, Van Arendonk K, Abdullah F, Goldstein SD. Trends in gastrostomy tube placement with concomitant Nissen fundoplication for infants and young children at Pediatric Tertiary Centers. Pediatr Surg Int 2021; 37:617-625. [PMID: 33486562 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-020-04845-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In infants and toddlers, gastrostomy tube placement (GT) is typically accompanied by consideration of concomitant Nissen fundoplication (NF). Historically, rates of NF have varied across providers and institutions. This study examines practice variation and longitudinal trends in NF at pediatric tertiary centers. METHODS Patients ≤ 2 years who underwent GT between 2008 and 2018 were identified in the Pediatric Health Information System database. Patient demographics and rates of NF were examined. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the variation in the proportion of GT with NF at each hospital, by volume and over time. RESULTS 40,348 patients were identified across 40 hospitals. Most patients were male (53.8%), non-Hispanic white (49.5%) and publicly-insured (60.4%). Rates of NF by hospital varied significantly from 4.2 to 75.2% (p < 0.001), though were not associated with geographic region (p = 0.088). Rates of NF decreased from 42.8% in 2008 to 14.2% in 2018, with a mean annual rate of change of - 3.07% (95% CI - 3.53, - 2.61). This trend remained when stratifying hospitals into volume quartiles. CONCLUSION There is significant practice variation in performing NF. Regardless of volume, the rate of NF is also decreasing. Objective NF outcome measurements are needed to standardize the management of long-term enteral access in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Bouchard
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Danielle Howard Stewart
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Matt Hall
- Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, KS, USA
| | - Benjamin T Many
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jonathan C Vacek
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Steven Papastefan
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Kyle Van Arendonk
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Fizan Abdullah
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Seth D Goldstein
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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43
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Weaver MS, Shostrom VK, Neumann ML, Robinson JE, Hinds PS. Homestead together: Pediatric palliative care telehealth support for rural children with cancer during home-based end-of-life care. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28921. [PMID: 33522720 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with terminal cancer and their families describe a preference for home-based end-of-life care. Inadequate support outside of the hospital is a limiting factor in home location feasibility, particularly in rural regions lacking pediatric-trained hospice providers. METHODS The purpose of this longitudinal palliative telehealth support pilot study was to explore physical and emotional symptom burden and family impact assessments for children with terminal cancer receiving home based-hospice care. Each child received standard of care home-based hospice care from an adult-trained rural hospice team with the inclusion of telehealth pediatric palliative care visits at a scheduled minimum of every 14 days. RESULTS Eleven children (mean age 11.9 years) received pediatric palliative telehealth visits a minimum of every 14 days, with an average of 4.8 additional telehealth visits initiated by the family. Average time from enrollment to death was 21.6 days (range 4-95). Children self-reported higher physical symptom prevalence than parents or hospice nurses perceived the child was experiencing at time of hospice enrollment with underrecognition of the child's emotional burden. At the time of hospice enrollment, family impact was reported by family caregivers as 46.4/100 (SD 18.7), with noted trend of improved family function while receiving home hospice care with telehealth support. All children remained at home for end-of-life care. CONCLUSION Pediatric palliative care telehealth combined with adult-trained rural hospice providers may be utilized to support pediatric oncology patients and their family caregivers as part of longitudinal home-based hospice care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meaghann S Weaver
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Palliative Care, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Valerie K Shostrom
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Marie L Neumann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Palliative Care, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Jacob E Robinson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Palliative Care, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Pamela S Hinds
- Department of Nursing Science, Professional Practice and Quality, Children's National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia.,Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
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Allen Watts K, Malone E, Dionne-Odom JN, McCammon S, Currie E, Hicks J, Tucker RO, Wallace E, Elk R, Bakitas M. Can you hear me now?: Improving palliative care access through telehealth. Res Nurs Health 2021; 44:226-237. [PMID: 33393704 PMCID: PMC7958991 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Telehealth has been increasingly used to expand healthcare access over the last two decades. However, this had not been the case for palliative care (PC), because telehealth was considered nontraditional and impractical due to the sensitive nature of conversations and a "high touch" philosophy. Motivated by limited PC access to rural and underserved populations and positive PC telehealth studies, clinical PC telehealth models have been developing. However, nearly overnight, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use and uptake of telehealth across health care and especially in PC. As a result, clinicians, administrators, and others agree that telehealth is "here to stay," and will likely maintain widespread use and refinement beyond rural areas. The purpose of this review is to describe exemplar PC telehealth programs in research and clinical practice, including pros and cons, lessons learned, and future directions for the ongoing development and expansion of PC via telehealth across diseases and the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Allen Watts
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Emily Malone
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Susan McCammon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Erin Currie
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jennifer Hicks
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Rodney O Tucker
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Eric Wallace
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ronit Elk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Marie Bakitas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Center for Palliative and Supportive Care, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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45
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Bettenhausen JL, Hall M, Doupnik SK, Markham JL, Feinstein JA, Berry JG, Gay JC. Hospitalization Outcomes for Rural Children with Mental Health Conditions. J Pediatr 2021; 229:240-246.e1. [PMID: 33010261 PMCID: PMC7855022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.09.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify where rural children with mental health conditions are hospitalized and to determine differences in outcomes based on location of hospitalization. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective cohort analysis of US rural children aged 0-18 years with a mental health hospitalization between January 1, 2014, and November 30, 2014, using the 2014 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Nationwide Readmissions Database. Hospitalizations for rural children were categorized by children's hospitals, metropolitan non-children's hospitals, or rural hospitals. Associations between hospital location and outcomes were assessed with logistic (readmission) and negative binomial regression (length of stay [LOS]) models. Classification and regression trees (CART) were used to describe the characteristics of most common hospitalizations at a rural hospital. RESULTS Of 21 666 mental health hospitalizations of rural children, 20.6% were at rural hospitals. After adjustment for clinical and demographic characteristics, LOS was higher at metropolitan non-children's and children's hospitals compared with rural hospitals (LOS: adjusted rate ratio [aRR], 1.35 [95% CI 1.29-1.41] and 1.33 [95% CI, 1.25-1.41]; P < .01 for all). The 30-day readmission was lower at metropolitan non-children's and children's hospitals compared with rural hospitals (aOR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.63-0.84] and 0.59 [95% CI, 0.48-0.71]; P < .001 for all). Adolescent males living in poverty with externalizing behavior disorder had the highest percentage of hospitalization at rural hospitals (69.4%). CONCLUSIONS Although hospitalizations at children's and metropolitan non-children's hospitals were longer, patient outcomes were more favorable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Bettenhausen
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO.
| | - Matt Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO; Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, KS
| | - Stephanie K Doupnik
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jessica L Markham
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO
| | - James A Feinstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Jay G Berry
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - James C Gay
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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46
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Brenner M, Alexander D, Quirke MB, Eustace-Cook J, Leroy P, Berry J, Healy M, Doyle C, Masterson K. A systematic concept analysis of 'technology dependent': challenging the terminology. Eur J Pediatr 2021; 180:1-12. [PMID: 32710305 PMCID: PMC7380164 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03737-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
There are an increasing number of children who are dependent on medical technology to sustain their lives. Although significant research on this issue is taking place, the terminology used is variable and the concept of technology dependence is ill-defined. A systematic concept analysis was conducted examining the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the concept of technology dependent, as portrayed in the literature. We found that this concept refers to a wide range of clinical technology to support biological functioning across a dependency continuum, for a range of clinical conditions. It is commonly initiated within a complex biopsychosocial context and has wide ranging sequelae for the child and family, and health and social care delivery.Conclusion: The term technology dependent is increasingly redundant. It objectifies a heterogenous group of children who are assisted by a myriad of technology and who adapt to, and function with, this assistance in numerous ways. What is Known: • There are an increasing number of children who require medical technology to sustain their life, commonly referred to as technology dependent. This concept analysis critically analyses the relevance of the term technology dependent which is in use for over 30 years. What is New: • Technology dependency refers to a wide range of clinical technology to support biological functioning across a dependency continuum, for a range of clinical conditions. It is commonly initiated within a complex biopsychosocial context and has wide-ranging sequelae for the child and family, and health and social care delivery. • The paper shows that the term technology dependent is generally portrayed in the literature in a problem-focused manner. • This term is increasingly redundant and does not serve the heterogenous group of children who are assisted by a myriad of technology and who adapt to, and function with, this assistance in numerous ways. More appropriate child-centred terminology will be determined within the TechChild project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Brenner
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, 24 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Denise Alexander
- grid.8217.c0000 0004 1936 9705School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, 24 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary Brigid Quirke
- grid.8217.c0000 0004 1936 9705School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, 24 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jessica Eustace-Cook
- grid.8217.c0000 0004 1936 9705Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Piet Leroy
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Pediatric Intensive Care Unit & Pediatric Procedural Sedation Unit, Maastricht UMC and Faculty of Health, Life Sciences & Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jay Berry
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Department of Medicine and Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Martina Healy
- Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia, Paediatric Critical Care Medicine and Paediatric Pain Medicine, Children’s Health Ireland Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland ,grid.8217.c0000 0004 1936 9705School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carmel Doyle
- grid.8217.c0000 0004 1936 9705School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, 24 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Kate Masterson
- grid.8217.c0000 0004 1936 9705School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, 24 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland ,grid.416107.50000 0004 0614 0346Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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Fairchild RM, Ferng-Kuo SF, Rahmouni H, Hardesty D. Telehealth Increases Access to Care for Children Dealing with Suicidality, Depression, and Anxiety in Rural Emergency Departments. Telemed J E Health 2020; 26:1353-1362. [DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2019.0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Shiaw-Fen Ferng-Kuo
- Department of Applied Health Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
| | - Hicham Rahmouni
- Richard Lugar Center for Rural Health, Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
| | - Daniel Hardesty
- Richard Lugar Center for Rural Health, Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
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48
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Padalko A, Gawaziuk J, Chateau D, Sareen J, Logsetty S. Social Determinants Associated with Pediatric Burn Injury: A Population-Based, Case-Control Study. J Burn Care Res 2020; 41:743-750. [PMID: 32352522 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/iraa045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDoH) influence risk of injury. We conducted a population-based, case-control study to identify which social determinants influence burn injury in children. Children (≤16 years of age) admitted to a Canadian regional burn center between January 1, 1999 and March 30, 2017 were matched based on age, sex, and geographic location 1:5 with an uninjured control cohort from the general population. Population-level administrative data describing the SDoH at the Manitoba Center for Health Policy (MCHP) were compared between the cohorts. Specific SDoH were chosen based on a published systematic review conducted by the research team. In the final multivariable model, children from a low-income household odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) 1.97 (1.46, 2.65), in care 1.57 (1.11, 2.21), from a family that received income assistance 1.71 (1.33, 2.19) and born to a teen mother 1.43 (1.13, 1.81) were significantly associated with an increased risk of pediatric burn injury. This study identified SDoH that are associated with an increased risk of burn injury. This case-control study supports the finding that children from a low-income household, children in care, from a family that received income assistance, and children born to a teen mother are at an elevated risk of burn injury. Identifying children at increased potential risk allows targeting of burn risk reduction and home safety programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Padalko
- BSc Med Research Program, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Justin Gawaziuk
- Manitoba Firefighters' Burn Unit, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Canada; From the
| | - Dan Chateau
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jitender Sareen
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sarvesh Logsetty
- Department of Psychiatry, Winnipeg, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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49
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Foster CC, Macy ML, Simon NJ, Stephen R, Lehnig K, Bohling K, Schinasi DA. Emergency Care Connect: Extending Pediatric Emergency Care Expertise to General Emergency Departments Through Telemedicine. Acad Pediatr 2020; 20:577-584. [PMID: 32112864 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Increasingly, children with common and lower-acuity conditions are being transferred from general emergency departments (EDs) to pediatric centers for subspecialty care. While transferring children with high-risk conditions has benefit, transferring children with common conditions may expose them to redundant care and added costs. Emergency Care Connect (ECC) is a novel telemedicine program that uses videoconferencing to connect general ED and urgent care providers to pediatric emergency medicine physicians with the goal of keeping children in their communities for definitive care, when safe and feasible. ECC objectives are to: 1) facilitate transfer decision-making for children receiving care in general ED and urgent care sites and 2) increase access to pediatric providers for real-time management, regardless of disposition. In its first 20 months, ECC partnered with 4 general EDs and 1 urgent care location, which together made 1327 contacts with our pediatric center, of which 202 (15%) became ECC consultations for 200 unique patients. Of those consultations, 71% patients remained locally for treatment and 25% experienced a care plan change. Overall, ECC was rated highly by surveyed families and providers. Barriers to implementation, such as lack of familiarity with telemedicine and fears of changes in workflow, were overcome with strong institutional support and frequent, sustained stakeholder engagement. With greater adoption of this model, ECC and programs like it have the potential to allow more children to be treated in their communities, minimize preventable transfers, and reserve beds in children's hospitals for those with potentially higher risk and more medically complex conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn C Foster
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill; Academic General Pediatrics and Primary Care, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (CC Foster), Chicago, Ill; Mary Ann & J. Milburn Smith Child Health Research, Outreach, and Advocacy Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (CC Foster and ML Macy), Chicago, Ill; Telehealth Programs, Lurie Children's, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, K Bohling, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill.
| | - Michelle L Macy
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill; Mary Ann & J. Milburn Smith Child Health Research, Outreach, and Advocacy Center, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (CC Foster and ML Macy), Chicago, Ill; Telehealth Programs, Lurie Children's, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, K Bohling, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill; Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (ML Macy, N-J Simon, K Lehnig, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill
| | - Norma-Jean Simon
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (ML Macy, N-J Simon, K Lehnig, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill
| | - Rebecca Stephen
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill; Telehealth Programs, Lurie Children's, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, K Bohling, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill; Hospital-Based Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (R Stephen), Chicago, Ill
| | - Katherine Lehnig
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (ML Macy, N-J Simon, K Lehnig, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill
| | - Katie Bohling
- Telehealth Programs, Lurie Children's, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, K Bohling, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill
| | - Dana A Schinasi
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill; Telehealth Programs, Lurie Children's, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (CC Foster, ML Macy, R Stephen, K Bohling, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill; Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (ML Macy, N-J Simon, K Lehnig, and DA Schinasi), Chicago, Ill
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50
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Abstract
Readmission amongst previous neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates, especially for preterm infants, is common and remains a significant risk for these infants beyond the neonatal period. This review explores risk factors for readmissions, common reasons for requiring rehospitalization and explores opportunities for improving the transition from discharge to home with the ultimate goal of reducing readmissions for these high risk infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Hannan
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Neonatology MS 8402, 13121 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, United States.
| | - Sunah S Hwang
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Neonatology MS 8402, 13121 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, United States
| | - Stephanie L Bourque
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Neonatology MS 8402, 13121 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045, United States
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