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King B, Patel RM. Using Quality Improvement to Improve Value and Reduce Waste. Clin Perinatol 2023; 50:489-506. [PMID: 37201993 DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Value is defined as health outcomes achieved per dollar spent. Addressing value in quality improvement (QI) efforts can help optimize patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary spending. In this article, we discuss how QI focused on reducing morbidities frequently reduces costs, and how proper cost accounting can help demonstrate improvements in value. We provide examples of high-yield opportunities for value improvement in neonatology and review the literature associated with these topics. Opportunities include reducing neonatal intensive care admissions for low-acuity infants, sepsis evaluations in low-risk infants, unnecessary total parental nutrition use, and utilization of laboratory and imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian King
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine.
| | - Ravi M Patel
- Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 2015 Uppergate Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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King BC, Hagan J, Richardson T, Berry J, Slaughter JL. Hospital variation in neonatal echocardiography among very preterm infants at US children's hospitals. J Perinatol 2023; 43:181-186. [PMID: 36163416 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-022-01522-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Estimate hospital variation in echocardiography (echo) among very preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of very preterm (<32 weeks) infants discharged between 2012 and 2019 from US children's hospitals. Echo exposure was identified using daily billing, and hospital variation was estimated after adjustment for illness severity. Variation in very early echo use (<3 days of life) was compared to exposure to treatment of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and other practice patterns. RESULTS 27,498 subjects across 39 children's hospitals were included. Very early echo use had the greatest hospital variation (3-34%). Increasing very early echo use was not associated with PDA treatment (p = 0.93), but was associated with nitric oxide (p < 0.01) and vasoactive medications (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Hospital variation in echo use among preterm infants was greatest in the first few days of life and was associated with increasing nitric oxide and vasoactive medication use. The impact of this variation on clinical outcomes is uncertain and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C King
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Joseph Hagan
- Newborn Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Jay Berry
- Complex Care, Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan L Slaughter
- Center for Perinatal Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Use of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm Infants: Is There Sufficient Evidence? Indian J Pediatr 2022; 89:262-266. [PMID: 34287800 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-021-03827-0] [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: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator. The inhaled form (iNO) improves outcomes in term infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants. However, in preterm infants, the risks and benefits of iNO use are controversial. Substantial evidence reveals no significant impact on survival or other morbidities in preterm infants with iNO treatment, independent of indication, timing, or duration of use. Many scientific organizations do not recommend the use of iNO in preterm infants, except in unique clinical circumstances with echocardiographic findings of PPHN in the setting of presumed pulmonary hypoplasia.
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Cost of clinician-driven tests and treatments in very low birth weight and/or very preterm infants. J Perinatol 2021; 41:295-304. [PMID: 33268831 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-020-00879-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To rank clinician-driven tests and treatments (CTTs) by their total cost during the birth hospitalization for preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort of very low birth weight (<1500 g) and/or very preterm (<32 weeks) subjects admitted to US children's hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Units (2012-2018). CTTs were defined as pharmaceutical, laboratory and imaging services and ranked by total cost. RESULTS 24,099 infants from 51 hospitals were included. Parenteral nutrition ($85M, 32% of pharmacy costs), blood gas analysis ($34M, 29% of laboratory costs), and chest radiographs ($18M, 31% of imaging costs) were the costliest CTTs overall. More than half of CTT-related costs occurred during 10% of hospital days. CONCLUSIONS The majority of CTT-related costs were from commonly used tests and treatments. Targeted efforts to improve value in neonatal care may benefit most from focusing on reducing unnecessary utilization of common tests and treatments, rather than infrequently used ones.
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Chandrasekharan P, Lakshminrusimha S, Chowdhury D, Van Meurs K, Keszler M, Kirpalani H, Das A, Walsh MC, McGowan EC, Higgins RD. Early Hypoxic Respiratory Failure in Extreme Prematurity: Mortality and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes. Pediatrics 2020; 146:e20193318. [PMID: 32943536 PMCID: PMC7546092 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-3318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the survival and neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants at 18 to 26 months with early hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF). We also assessed whether African American infants with early HRF had improved outcomes after exposure to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). METHODS ELBW infants ≤1000 g and gestational age ≤26 weeks with maximal oxygen ≥60% on either day 1 or day 3 were labeled as "early HRF" and born between 2007 and 2015 in the Neonatal Research Network were included. Using a propensity score regression model, we analyzed outcomes and effects of exposure to iNO overall and separately by race. RESULTS Among 7639 ELBW infants born ≤26 weeks, 22.7% had early HRF. Early HRF was associated with a mortality of 51.3%. The incidence of moderate-severe NDI among survivors was 41.2% at 18 to 26 months. Mortality among infants treated with iNO was 59.4%. Female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8-3.3), birth weight ≥720 g (aOR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.7-3.1) and complete course of antenatal steroids (aOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.2) were associated with intact survival. African American infants had a similar incidence of early HRF (21.7% vs 23.3%) but lower exposure to iNO (16.4% vs 21.6%). Among infants with HRF exposed to iNO, intact survival (no death or NDI) was not significantly different between African American and other races (aOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.6-3.6). CONCLUSIONS Early HRF in infants ≤26 weeks' gestation is associated with high mortality and NDI at 18 to 26 months. Use of iNO did not decrease mortality or NDI. Outcomes following iNO exposure were not different in African American infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Chandrasekharan
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, UBMD, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York;
| | | | - Dhuly Chowdhury
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division, RTI International, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Krisa Van Meurs
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Martin Keszler
- Department of Neonatology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | | | - Abhik Das
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Division, RTI International, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Michele C Walsh
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - Rosemary D Higgins
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland; and
- Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
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Lakshminrusimha S, Kinsella JP, Krishnan US, Van Meurs K, Edwards EM, Bhatt DR, Chandrasekharan P, Oei JL, Manja V, Ramanathan R, Abman SH. Just Say No to iNO in Preterms-Really? J Pediatr 2020; 218:243-252. [PMID: 31810629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.10.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - John P Kinsella
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | | | - Krisa Van Meurs
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | | | | | | | - Ju-Lee Oei
- School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Veena Manja
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA
| | - Rangasamy Ramanathan
- Department of Pediatrics, LAC+USC Medical Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Steven H Abman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
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Manja V, Guyatt G, Lakshminrusimha S, Jack S, Kirpalani H, Zupancic JAF, Dukhovny D, You JJ, Monteiro S. Factors influencing decision making in neonatology: inhaled nitric oxide in preterm infants. J Perinatol 2019; 39:86-94. [PMID: 30353082 PMCID: PMC6298829 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-018-0258-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We studied decision making regarding inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in preterm infants with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). STUDY DESIGN We asked members of the AAP-Society of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Division-Chiefs to select from three management options- initiate iNO, engage parents in shared decision making or not consider iNO in an extremely preterm with PH followed by rating of factors influencing their decision. RESULTS Three hundred and four respondents (9%) completed the survey; 36.5% chose to initiate iNO, 42% to engage parents, and 21.5% did not consider iNO. Provider's prior experience, safety, and patient-centered care were rated higher by those who initiated or offered iNO; lack of effectiveness and cost considerations by participants who did not chose iNO. CONCLUSIONS Most neonatologists offer or initiate iNO therapy based on their individual experience. The minority who chose not to consider iNO placed higher value on lack of effectiveness and cost. These results demonstrate a tension between evidence and pathophysiology-based-therapy/personal experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veena Manja
- Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Gordon Guyatt
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Satyan Lakshminrusimha
- Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis Medical Center, 2516 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, USA.
| | - Susan Jack
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Haresh Kirpalani
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine,, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John A F Zupancic
- Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dmitry Dukhovny
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - John J You
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sandra Monteiro
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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