Pilot study using machine learning to improve estimation of physical abuse prevalence.

BACKGROUND: International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes have been shown to underestimate physical abuse prevalence. Machine learning models are capable of efficiently processing a wide variety of data and may provide better estimates of abuse. OBJECTIVE: To achieve proof of concept applying machine learning to identify codes associated with abuse. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Children <5 years, presenting to the emergency department with an injury or abuse-specific ICD-10-CM code and evaluated by the child protection team (CPT) from 2016 to 2020 at a large Midwestern children's hospital. METHODS: The Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) and the CPT administrative databases were used to identify the study sample and injury and abuse-specific ICD-10-CM codes. Subjects were divided into abused and non-abused groups based on the CPT's evaluation. A LASSO logistic regression model was constructed using ICD-10-CM codes and patient age to identify children likely to be diagnosed by the CPT as abused. Performance was evaluated using repeated cross-validation (CV) and Reciever Operator Characteristic curve. RESULTS: We identified 2028 patients evaluated by the CPT with 512 diagnosed as abused. Using diagnosis codes and patient age, our model was able to accurately identify patients with confirmed PA (mean CV AUC = 0.87). Performance was still weaker for patients without existing ICD codes for abuse (mean CV AUC = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: We built a model that employs injury ICD-10-CM codes and age to improve accuracy of distinguishing abusive from non-abusive injuries. This pilot modelling endeavor is a steppingstone towards improving population-level estimates of abuse.

Feasibility of a Video Otoscope for Diagnosis of Otologic Pathology in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: Performing pediatric otoscopy can be difficult secondary to patient compliance, which potentiates misdiagnosis and inaccurate treatment of acute otitis media. This study used a convenience sample to assess the feasibility of using a video otoscope for the examination of tympanic membranes in children presenting to a pediatric emergency department. METHODS: We obtained otoscopic videos using the JEDMED Horus + HD Video Otoscope. Participants were randomized to video or standard otoscopy, and a physician completed their bilateral ear examinations. In the video group, physicians reviewed otoscope videos with the patient's caregiver. The caregiver and physician completed separate surveys using a 5-point Likert Scale regarding perceptions of the otoscopic examination. A second physician reviewed each otoscopic video. RESULTS: We enrolled 213 participants in 2 groups (standard otoscopy, n = 94; video otoscopy, n = 119). We used Wilcoxon rank sum, Fisher exact test, and descriptive statistics to compare results across groups. For physicians, there were no statistically significant differences between groups with ease of device use, quality of otoscopic view, or diagnosis. There was moderate agreement between physician video otoscopic view satisfaction and slight agreement between physician video otologic diagnosis. Estimates of length of time to complete the ear examinations were longer more often for the video otoscope compared with standard for both caregivers (OR, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-3.70; P = 0.02) and physicians (OR, 3.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-5.78; P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between video and standard otoscopy with regard to caregiver perception of comfort, cooperation, satisfaction, or diagnosis understanding. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers perceive that video otoscopy and standard otoscopy are comparable in comfort, cooperation, examination satisfaction, and diagnosis understanding. Physicians made a wider range of more subtle diagnoses with the video otoscope. However, examination length of time may limit the JEDMED Horus + HD Video Otoscope's feasibility in a busy pediatric emergency department.

Counseling on the Need for Folic Acid in Adolescents With Epilepsy.

Background and Objectives: Folic acid is an important supplement to take for women with epilepsy on antiseizure medications (ASMs). Determination of baseline counseling given to women with epilepsy and the association with folic acid being recommended were evaluated. Factors surrounding the association were reviewed. Methods: An exploratory retrospective review of women with epilepsy seen at a large Midwestern pediatric institution was performed between January 2018 and January 2020. Results: Patients who received preconception counseling were more likely to be given a recommendation to take folic acid. Patients on more than 1 ASM were likely to receive counseling. Patient age and race were associated with having folic acid recommended. Discussion: Providing preconception counseling for women with epilepsy is associated with an increased recommendation and prescription of folic acid. Further evaluation into possible disparities to receiving a folic acid recommendation is needed.

Barriers and Facilitators to Pediatric Resident Education in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study.

Objective Local resident evaluations of the pediatric emergency department (ED) declined over the last five years. Sparse literature exists on resident perspectives of educational experiences. This study explored the barriers and facilitators to resident education in the Pediatric ED. Methods This qualitative study utilized focus groups at a large pediatric training hospital. Trained facilitators performed semi-structured interviews prompting discussion of resident experiences in the pediatric ED. One pilot and six focus groups (38 pediatric residents) achieved data saturation. Sessions were audio recorded, de-identified and transcribed by a professional service. Three authors (CJ, JM, SS) analyzed the transcripts independently using line-by-line coding. Following code agreement, authors identified central themes drawing on grounded theory. Results Six categories emerged: (1) ED environment, (2) consistent goals, expectations, and resources, (3) ED workflow, (4) preceptor accessibility, (5) resident growth and development, (6) ED preconceived notions. Residents value a respectful work environment despite the chaotic nature of the ED. They need clear goals and expectations with a strong orientation. Autonomy, open communication and shared decision-making allow residents to feel like team members. Residents gravitate toward welcoming, available preceptors that enthusiastically teach. More ED environment exposure increases comfort and efficiency and helps develop medical decision-making skills. Residents admit ED preconceptions and personality traits affect performance. Conclusion Residents self-identified barriers and facilitators to ED education. Educators must provide a safe and open learning environment, clear rotation expectations and goals, consistent positivity supporting shared decision making, and allow residents autonomy to build their practice styles.

Prehospital Recognition and Management of Pediatric Sepsis: A Qualitative Assessment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sepsis is a life-threatening disease in children and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Early prehospital recognition and management of children with sepsis may have significant effects on the timely resuscitation of this high-risk clinical condition. However, the care of acutely ill and injured children in the prehospital setting can be challenging. This study aims to understand barriers, facilitators, and attitudes regarding recognition and management of pediatric sepsis in the prehospital setting. METHODS: This was a qualitative study of EMS professionals participating in focus groups using a grounded theory-based design to gather information on recognition and management of septic children in the prehospital setting. Focus groups were held for EMS administrators and medical directors. Separate focus groups were held for field clinicians. Focus groups were conducted via video conference until saturation of ideas was reached. Using consensus methodology, transcripts were coded in an iterative process. Data were then organized into positive and negative factors based on the validated PRECEDE-PROCEED model for behavioral change. RESULTS: Thirty-eight participants in six focus groups identified nine environmental factors, 21 negative factors, and 14 positive factors pertaining to recognition and management of pediatric sepsis. These findings were organized into the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model. Pediatric sepsis guidelines were identified as positive factors when they did exist and negative factors when they were complicated or did not exist. Six interventions were identified by participants. These include raising awareness of pediatric sepsis, increasing pediatric education, receiving feedback on prehospital encounters, increasing pediatric exposure and skills training, and improving dispatch information. CONCLUSION: This study fills a gap by examining barriers and facilitators to prehospital diagnosis and management of pediatric sepsis. Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, nine environmental factors, 21 negative factors, and 14 positive factors were identified. Participants identified six interventions that could create the foundation to improve prehospital pediatric sepsis care. Policy changes were suggested by the research team based on the results of this study. These interventions and policy changes provide a roadmap for improving care in this population and lay the groundwork for future research.

Diagnosis codes dramatically underestimate the burden of abuse.

BACKGROUND: International Classification of Diseases (ICD) billing codes are not well-suited to estimate physical abuse prevalence among hospitalized patients and may be even less accurate in emergency departments (EDs). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently published a child abuse and neglect syndromic surveillance definition to more accurately examine national abuse trends among ED visits. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively apply the CDC syndromic definition to a population of physically abused children and determine its sensitivity for abuse in an ED and at hospital discharge. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: All physically abused children <5 years seen in the ED and evaluated by the child protection team from 2016 to 2020 at a large Midwestern children's hospital. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study utilizing the hospital's child protection team administrative database, the Pediatric Health Information System and the electronic health record to identify the study sample, chief complaint, and abuse-specific codes assigned in the ED and at hospital discharge. Abuse-specific codes were defined as all ICD-10-CM and Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine - Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) codes included in the CDC syndromic definition, which was applied to the sample and its sensitivity determined. RESULTS: Among the 550 abused patients identified, most were male (58.4 %), white (65.1 %), <2 years old (80.4 %), and had public insurance (81.6 %). When applying the CDC syndromic definition, only 11.6 % were identified as abused in the ED and 65.3 % were identified at hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The CDC syndrome surveillance definition lacks sensitivity in identifying abuse in the ED or at hospital discharge.

Cost analysis of hospitals performing continuous albuterol in non-intensive care settings.

OBJECTIVE: To compare hospital costs and resource utilization for pediatric asthma admissions based on the hospitals' availability of continuous albuterol aerosolization administration (CAA) in non-intensive care unit (ICU) settings. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children ages 2-17 years admitted in 2019 with a principal diagnosis of asthma using the Pediatric Health Information System. Hospitals and hospitalizations were categorized based on location of CAA administration, ICU-only versus general inpatient floors. Hospitals preforming CAA in an intermediate care unit were excluded. We calculated total cost, standardized unit costs and rates of interventions. Groups were compared using Chi-Square, t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test as indicated. A log linear mixed model was created to evaluate potential confounders. RESULTS: Twenty-one hospitals (7084 hospitalizations) allowed CAA on the floor.Twenty-four hospitals (6100 hospitalizations) allowed CAA in the ICU-only. Median total cost was $4639 (Interquartile Range (IQR) $3060-$7512) for the floor group and $5478 (IQR $3444-$8539) for the ICU-only group (p < 0.001) (mean cost difference of $775 per patient). Hospitalization costs were $4,726,829 (95% CI $3,459,920-$5,993,860) greater for the children treated at hospitals restricting CAA to the ICU. We observed higher standardized laboratory, imaging, clinical and other unit costs, along with higher use of interventions in the ICU-only group. After adjustment, we found that ICU stay and hospital LOS were the main drivers of cost difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was cost savings and decreased resource utilization for hospitals that performed CAA on the floor. Further studies exploring variations in asthma management are warranted.

How general pediatricians learn procedures: implications for training and practice.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires General Pediatricians (GPeds) to learn thirteen procedures during training. However, GPeds infrequently perform these procedures in practice. We sought to determine:1) how GPeds learned procedures, 2) if GPeds self-reported achieving competence in the required ACGME procedures during training, and 3) if GPeds maintained these skills into practice. We conducted this mixed methods study from 2019-2020. 51 GPeds from central Ohio and the American Board of Pediatrics General Examination Committee were recruited via email or snowball sampling and participated in semi-structured recorded phone interviews probing procedural performance during training and current practice. Participants represented varied geographic regions and clinical settings. We employed Sawyer's 'Learn, See, Practice, Prove, Do, Maintain' mastery learning pedagogical framework as a lens for thematic analysis. Participants did not demonstrate competence in all ACGME required procedures during training, nor sustain procedural skills in practice. Most participants learned procedures through a 'see one, do one' apprenticeship model. GPeds reported never being formally assessed on procedural competence during residency. All GPeds referred out at least one procedure. GPeds also believed that skill maintenance was unwarranted for procedures irrelevant to their current practice. GPeds did not sufficiently demonstrate competence in all ACGME required procedures during training, partially suggesting why they infrequently perform some procedures. Alternatively, these required procedures may not be relevant to their practice. Pediatric residency procedures education might consider using mastery learning for practice-specific procedures and surface-level methods (learning without mastery) for other skills.

What Procedures Are Important to General Pediatricians and Why?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Pediatric residents must demonstrate competence prior to graduation in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) required procedures. Recent literature shows general pediatricians (GPeds) infrequently perform these procedures yet believe them important to learn. The purpose of this study was to determine why GPeds believe learning procedures was important, what barriers prevent them from developing and maintaining procedural skills, and what procedures they believe should be included in training. METHODS: Fifty-one GPeds from the American Board of Pediatrics General Examination Committee and the central Ohio region participated in 30-minute semistructured recorded phone interviews that probed their use of procedures across training and current practice. Participants represented urban, suburban, and rural geographic regions and practiced in a variety of settings. We conducted a thematic analysis of transcribed interviews. RESULTS: GPeds believed currently required ACGME procedures were crucial to learn for 5 reasons: 1) adaptation to change in practice type or location, 2) emergency preparedness, 3) counseling patients and families, 4) distance from a tertiary care center and specialists, and 5) professional identity as a pediatrician. Numerous barriers, particularly never learning the procedures, prevented GPeds from performing procedures in practice. Recommended procedures to be taught included high- (eg, circumcision), and low-risk (eg, cerumen removal, nasopharyngeal swabs, umbilical cauterization) skills. CONCLUSIONS: GPeds believed procedural training was important, however may never have learned certain procedures. These findings suggest that teaching methods should be adapted or customized procedural education should be implemented to ensure relevancy of skills learned for clinical practice.

The COVID-19 Elective for Pediatric Residents: Learning About Systems-Based Practice During a Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted pediatric residency programs to adjust the delivery of educational curricula and to update content relevant to the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: In this descriptive paper, we present how we rapidly developed and implemented a COVID-19 pandemic elective for pediatric residents. METHODS: This curriculum was established at a single tertiary care children's hospital in June 2020. We used the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation) framework to develop a two-week elective (30 hours) consisting of six flexibly scheduled modules. We administered post-elective surveys and exit interviews to solicit feedback to improve the elective and obtain effectiveness of our educational interventions. RESULTS: We developed an asynchronous online COVID-19 Elective for Pediatric Residents. The curriculum modules focus on pathophysiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the disaster management ecosystem, simulation of clinical care, mental health ramifications, and public health consequences. We also include six in-situ experiences (visits to a drive-through COVID-19 testing site, testing laboratory and local public health department, a simulation of a critically ill child, and meetings with emergency managers and social workers) to solidify learning and allow for further reflection. To date, eight participants have taken the elective. All participants strongly agreed on a five-point Likert item survey that the elective enhanced their knowledge in current evidence-based literature for COVID-19, disaster preparedness, hospital response, management of the critically ill child, and mental and public health ramifications. All participants agreed this curriculum was relevant to and will change their practice. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate how a COVID-19 elective for pediatric residents could be quickly developed and implemented. The pilot results show that pediatric trainees value asynchronous learning, supplemented by relevant in-situ experiences. Moreover, these results suggest that this curriculum provides needed disaster response and resiliency education for pediatric residents.

Children's Mental Health Emergency Department Visits: 2007-2016.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Emergency department (ED) visits for children seeking mental health care have increased. Few studies have examined national patterns and characteristics of EDs that these children present to. In data from the National Pediatric Readiness Project, it is reported that less than half of EDs are prepared to treat children. Our objective is to describe the trends in pediatric mental health visits to US EDs, with a focus on low-volume, nonmetropolitan EDs, which have been shown to be less prepared to provide pediatric emergency care. METHODS: Using 2007 to 2016 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample databases, we assessed the number of ED visits made by children (5-17 years) with a mental health disorder using descriptive statistics. ED characteristics included pediatric volume, children's ED classification, and location. RESULTS: Pediatric ED visits have been stable; however, visits for deliberate self-harm increased 329%, and visits for all mental health disorders rose 60%. Visits for children with a substance use disorder rose 159%, whereas alcohol-related disorders fell 39%. These increased visits occurred among EDs of all pediatric volumes, regardless of children's ED classification. Visits to low-pediatric-volume and nonmetropolitan areas rose 53% and 41%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the total number of pediatric ED visits has remained stable, visits among children with mental health disorders have risen, particularly among youth presenting for deliberate self-harm and substance abuse. The majority of these visits occur at nonchildren's EDs in both metropolitan and nonurban settings, which have been shown to be less prepared to provide higher-level pediatric emergency care.

General Pediatricians' Performance of Accreditation Agency's Recommended Procedures: A Complementary Analysis Using Administrative Data and the Knowledge Translation Model.

INTRODUCTION: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education provided guidelines, in 2013, regarding 13 clinical procedures pediatric residents should learn. Previous studies show that, when asked, general pediatricians (GPeds) self-report performing these procedures infrequently. When examined using the knowledge translation model, this low procedural performance frequency, especially by GPeds, may indicate a problem within the primary care landscape. METHODS: This was a descriptive study using the Partners For Kids, an accountable care organization, database to obtain how frequently each of the procedures was performed for a geographically representative sample of GPeds in central Ohio. RESULTS: A total of 296 physicians participated in Partners For Kids. Nearly one-third practiced for more than 15 years (n = 83, 28%) and one-third also lived in a rural region (n = 78, 26.4%). The most commonly billed procedure was administering immunizations (n = 79,292, 92.3%); the least was peripheral intravenous catheter placement (n = 2, 0.002%). Most procedures were completed in the office-based setting. DISCUSSION: General pediatricians in central Ohio do not frequently perform the 13 recommended procedures of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Evaluation of this problem using the knowledge translation model shows that potential barriers could be inadequate training during or after residency or more likely that these procedures are not necessary in GPeds' current scope of practice. The next step should be to see, from the practitioner's perspective, what procedures are important to their daily practice. Adapting this knowledge to the local context will help target continuing medical education/continuing professional development interventions.

A television in the bedroom is associated with higher weekday screen time among youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD).

OBJECTIVE: A TV in the bedroom has been associated with screen time in youth. Youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) have higher rates of screen time, but associations with bedroom TVs are unknown in this population. We examined the association of having a bedroom TV with screen time among youth with ADD/ADHD. METHODS: Data were from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health. Youth 6-17 years whose parent/guardian reported a physician's diagnosis of ADD/ADHD (n = 7,024) were included in the analysis. Parents/guardians reported the presence of a bedroom TV and average weekday TV screen time. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models assessed the effects of a bedroom on screen time. RESULTS: Youth with ADD/ADHD engaged in screen time an average of 149.1 minutes/weekday and 59% had a TV in their bedroom. Adjusting for child and family characteristics, having a TV in the bedroom was associated with 25 minutes higher daily screen time (95% CI: 12.8-37.4 min/day). A bedroom TV was associated with 32% higher odds of engaging in screen time for over 2 hours/day (OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.0-1.7). CONCLUSION: Future research should explore whether removing TVs from bedrooms reduces screen time among youth with ADD/ADHD.

Inclusion of complementary and alternative medicine in US state comprehensive cancer control plans: baseline data.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients has increased substantially during the last decade. The purpose of this investigation is to summarize CAM content of comprehensive cancer control (CCC) plans in the United States, territories, and tribes. METHODS: Sixty-six CCC plans, including all the states, most of the territories, and nearly all the Native American tribes were analyzed for content of CAM, and predominant thematic areas were summarized. RESULTS: Thirty-nine plans (59.1%) included CAM content. The predominant themes identified included increased education of CAM practices (46.2%), followed by utilization of existing CAM providers (28.2%), increasing CAM research efforts (18%), encouraging patient and provider communication about CAM use (18%), establishment of CAM baseline data (10.3%), and CAM as a barrier to treatment (10.3%). CONCLUSION: CAM is an emerging area in cancer care. The increasing inclusion of various themes of CAM into CCC plans indicate that many US cancer coalitions are taking steps to include the education and promotion of safe and efficacious CAM therapies for cancer patients.