Improving Post-induction Antitumor Necrosis Factor Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Adequate serum drug levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (anti-TNF) have been shown to improve outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We aim to describe the quality improvement (QI) methods used at our institution to improve post-induction therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in children initiating anti-TNF therapy (infliximab and adalimumab) and describe the frequency of subtherapeutic anti-TNF levels. METHODS: Beginning in February 2016, all patients initiating anti-TNF therapy were identified and tracked. Interventions to improve TDM, including the initiation of therapy plans for infliximab, real-time reminders for practitioners, and scheduling modifications for those initiating anti-TNF therapies were implemented using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle approach. Statistical process control charts were used to demonstrate improvement over time. Anti-TNF levels and presence of antidrug antibodies were also recorded. RESULTS: Using QI methodology, we improved post-induction anti-TNF TDM from a baseline of 43% in 2015 to >80% by the end of 2017, with sustained improvement. Infliximab post-induction TDM improved from a baseline of 59% to 82%, whereas adalimumab post-induction TDM improved from baseline of 14% to 79%. In total, 36% of all anti-TNF post-induction levels were <5 µg/mL, with nearly 60% of post-induction infliximab levels being <5 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Through incremental QI approaches, we improved the utilization of anti-TNF post-induction TDM with sustained improvement, approaching our goal of 90%. Subtherapeutic post-induction infliximab levels were common, indicating a strong need for anti-TNF TDM and an opportunity for dose optimization.

A Quality Improvement Approach to External Infliximab Infusions in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVES: We used a quality improvement (QI) approach to improve access and reduce barriers to care by increasing the number of external infliximab infusions at our pediatric inflammatory bowel disease center. METHODS: Using an iterative QI strategy, pediatric patients ≥12 years of age with inflammatory bowel disease were offered the opportunity to receive infliximab infusions at home/an external infusion center. They were required to first have >5 infusions at the hospital without any significant infusion reactions. Data were collected and tracked monthly using P-charts. Comparisons between control chart centerlines were analyzed using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients received external infusions, 87% had Crohn disease, 63% boys, average age 17.6 ±â€Š2.9 years, and 89% with private insurance. From September 2016 to January 2018, the percentage of eligible patients receiving external infusions was approximately 7%, increasing to approximately 30% by January 2018. A centerline shift, representing a statistically significant change, occurred in October 2016 and June 2017 (P < 0.001). No serious safety concerns have occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Through a multidisciplinary team of stakeholders using QI strategies, we now offer external infusion service options to all appropriate patients as routine practice. Home infusions are a viable option to reduce barriers to care, and our patients did not experience any safety events.