Criteria for Critical Care Infants and Children: PICU Admission, Discharge, and Triage Practice Statement and Levels of Care Guidance.

OBJECTIVES: To update the American Academy of Pediatrics and Society of Critical Care Medicine's 2004 Guidelines and levels of care for PICU. DESIGN: A task force was appointed by the American College of Critical Care Medicine to follow a standardized and systematic review of the literature using an evidence-based approach. The 2004 Admission, Discharge and Triage Guidelines served as the starting point, and searches in Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and PubMed resulted in 329 articles published from 2004 to 2016. Only 21 pediatric studies evaluating outcomes related to pediatric level of care, specialized PICU, patient volume, or personnel. Of these, 13 studies were large retrospective registry data analyses, six small single-center studies, and two multicenter survey analyses. Limited high-quality evidence was found, and therefore, a modified Delphi process was used. Liaisons from the American Academy of Pediatrics were included in the panel representing critical care, surgical, and hospital medicine expertise for the development of this practice guidance. The title was amended to "practice statement" and "guidance" because Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology was not possible in this administrative work and to align with requirements put forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics. METHODS: The panel consisted of two groups: a voting group and a writing group. The panel used an iterative collaborative approach to formulate statements on the basis of the literature review and common practice of the pediatric critical care bedside experts and administrators on the task force. Statements were then formulated and presented via an online anonymous voting tool to a voting group using a three-cycle interactive forecasting Delphi method. With each cycle of voting, statements were refined on the basis of votes received and on comments. Voting was conducted between the months of January 2017 and March 2017. The consensus was deemed achieved once 80% or higher scores from the voting group were recorded on any given statement or where there was consensus upon review of comments provided by voters. The Voting Panel was required to vote in all three forecasting events for the final evaluation of the data and inclusion in this work. The writing panel developed admission recommendations by level of care on the basis of voting results. RESULTS: The panel voted on 30 statements, five of which were multicomponent statements addressing characteristics specific to PICU level of care including team structure, technology, education and training, academic pursuits, and indications for transfer to tertiary or quaternary PICU. Of the remaining 25 statements, 17 reached consensus cutoff score. Following a review of the Delphi results and consensus, the recommendations were written. CONCLUSIONS: This practice statement and level of care guidance manuscript addresses important specifications for each PICU level of care, including the team structure and resources, technology and equipment, education and training, quality metrics, admission and discharge criteria, and indications for transfer to a higher level of care. The sparse high-quality evidence led the panel to use a modified Delphi process to seek expert opinion to develop consensus-based recommendations where gaps in the evidence exist. Despite this limitation, the members of the Task Force believe that these recommendations will provide guidance to practitioners in making informed decisions regarding pediatric admission or transfer to the appropriate level of care to achieve best outcomes.

The Association of Central-Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections With Central-Line Utilization Rate and Maintenance Bundle Compliance Among Types of PICUs.

OBJECTIVE: Central-line-associated bloodstream infections comprise 25% of device-associated infections. Compared with other units, PICUs demonstrate a higher central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence. Prior studies have not investigated the association of central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence, central-line utilization, or maintenance bundle compliance between specific types of PICUs. DESIGN: This study analyzed monthly aggregate data regarding central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence, central-line utilization, and maintenance bundle compliance between three types of PICUs: 1) PICUs that do not care for cardiac patients (PICU); 2) PICUs that provide care for cardiac and noncardiac patients (C/PICU); or 3) designated cardiac ICUs (CICU). SETTING: The included units submitted data as part of The Children's Hospital Association PICU central-line-associated bloodstream infections collaborative from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013. PATIENTS: Patients admitted to PICUs in collaborative institutions. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The overall central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence was low (1.37 central-line-associated bloodstream infections events/1,000 central-line days) and decreased over the time of the study. Central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence was not related to the type of PICU although C/PICU tended to have a higher central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence (p = 0.055). CICU demonstrated a significantly higher central-line utilization ratio (p < 0.001). However, when examined on a unit level, central-line utilization was not related to the central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence. The central-line maintenance bundle compliance rate was not associated with central line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence in this unit-level investigation. Neither utilization rate nor compliance rate changed significantly over time in any of the types of units. CONCLUSIONS: Although this unit-level analysis did not demonstrate an association between central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence and central-line utilization and maintenance bundle compliance, optimization of both should continue, further decreasing central-line-associated bloodstream infections prevalence. In addition, investigation of patient-specific factors may aid in further central-line-associated bloodstream infections eradication.

Pediatric Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressures During Aeromedical Transport.

OBJECTIVES: Cuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are frequently used in children, allowing fewer air leaks and helping prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. Tracheal mucosal perfusion is compromised at an ETT cuff pressure (ETTCP) of 30 cm H2O with blood flow completely absent above 50 cm H2O. Our objective was to compare multiple pediatric-sized ETTCPs at ground level and various altitudes during aeromedical transport. METHODS: Simulating the transport environment, 4 pediatric-sized mannequin heads were intubated with appropriately sized cuffed ETTs (3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0) and transported by helicopter or nonpressurized fixed-wing aircraft 20 times each. The ETTCP was set to 10 cm H2O before transport, and the pressure was measured with a standard manometer at 1000-ft intervals until reaching peak altitude or CP greater than 60 cm H2O. Ground elevation ranged from 400-650 ft mean sea level (MSL) and peak altitude from 3500 to 5000 ft MSL. RESULTS: Increased altitude caused a significant increase in ETTCP of all ETT sizes (P < 0.001). However, there is no statistical difference in pressures between ETT sizes (P = 0.28). On average, ETTCP in 3.0, 4.0, and 6.0 ETTs surpassed 30 cm H2O at approximately 1500 ft MSL and 50 cm H2O at approximately 2800 ft MSL. In the 5.0 ETT, the CP reached 30 cm H2O at 2000 ft MSL and 50 cm H2O at 3700 ft MSL. CONCLUSIONS: The ETTCP in pediatric-sized ETTs regularly exceed recommended pressure limits at relatively low altitudes. There is no additional pressure increase related to ETT size. This has the potential to decrease mucosal blood flow, possibly increasing risk of subsequent tracheal stenosis, rupture, and other complications.

Introduction of a rounding sticker improves care and reduces infection rates in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

As part of our plan to decrease infection rates, we instituted a rounding sticker used during daily rounds. This sticker is a checklist that serves as a reminder of interventions known to improve quality of care in the PICU. It is completed daily and placed in the bedside chart of all patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Date was collected on central venous catheter days, foley catheter days, arterial line days, infection rates, GI prophylaxis use, neuromuscular blocker use, and changes in medications before and after institution of the rounding sticker. Following rounding sticker use, there was a 56% reduction in urinary tract infections [4.13/1000 device days vs 1.8/1000 device days; p = 0.027], as well as an increase in GI prophylaxis (1846 vs 2399) and enoxaparin (119 vs 151) use.

Single-institution experience with interhospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport: A descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with refractory cardiopulmonary failure may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is not available in all medical centers. We report our institution's nearly 20-yr experience with interhospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Quaternary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: All patients undergoing interhospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport by the Arkansas Children's Hospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation team. INTERVENTIONS: Data (age, weight, diagnosis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation course, hospital course, mode of transport, and outcome) were obtained and compared with the most recent Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry report. RESULTS: Interhospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport was provided to 112 patients from 1990 to 2008. Eight were transferred between outside facilities (TAXI group); 104 were transported to our hospital (RETURN group). Transport was by helicopter (75%), ground (12.5%), and fixed wing (12.5%). No patient died during transport. Indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in RETURN patients were cardiac failure in 46% (48 of 104), neonatal respiratory failure in 34% (35 of 104), and other respiratory failure in 20% (21 of 104). Overall survival from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the RETURN group was 71% (74 of 104); overall survival to discharge was 58% (61 of 104). Patients with cardiac failure had a 46% (22 of 48) rate of survival to discharge. Neonates with respiratory failure had an 80% (28 of 35) rate of survival to discharge. Other patients with respiratory failure had a 62% (13 of 21) rate of survival to discharge. None of these survival rates were statistically different from survival rates for in-house extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients or for survival rates reported in the international Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry (p > .1 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of patients transported by an experienced extracorporeal membrane oxygenation team to a busy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation center are very comparable to outcomes of nontransported extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients as reported in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry. As has been previously reported, interhospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport is feasible and can be accomplished safely. Other experienced extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centers may want to consider developing interhospital extracorporeal membrane oxygenation transport capabilities to better serve patients in different geographic regions.

Executive Summary: Criteria for Critical Care of Infants and Children: PICU Admission, Discharge, and Triage Practice Statement and Levels of Care Guidance.

This is an executive summary of the 2019 update of the 2004 guidelines and levels of care for PICU. Since previous guidelines, there has been a tremendous transformation of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine with advancements in pediatric cardiovascular medicine, transplant, neurology, trauma, and oncology as well as improvements of care in general PICUs. This has led to the evolution of resources and training in the provision of care through the PICU. Outcome and quality research related to admission, transfer, and discharge criteria as well as literature regarding PICU levels of care to include volume, staffing, and structure were reviewed and included in this statement as appropriate. Consequently, the purposes of this significant update are to address the transformation of the field and codify a revised set of guidelines that will enable hospitals, institutions, and individuals in developing the appropriate PICU for their community needs. The target audiences of the practice statement and guidance are broad and include critical care professionals; pediatricians; pediatric subspecialists; pediatric surgeons; pediatric surgical subspecialists; pediatric imaging physicians; and other members of the patient care team such as nurses, therapists, dieticians, pharmacists, social workers, care coordinators, and hospital administrators who make daily administrative and clinical decisions in all PICU levels of care.

Redefining the golden hour in pediatric transport.

OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the urgent need for research efforts and application of goal-directed therapy in the pediatric transport environment. DESIGN: Review of existing literature and commentary on current pediatric transport practices. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric transport has evolved significantly since its inception >2 decades ago. Advancements in technology and therapeutic interventions now afford an opportunity to extend intensive care into the transport environment. However, misapplication of the concept of the golden hour has led to a focus on speed of transfer to tertiary care facilities, often delaying early, goal-directed therapeutic interventions. If we are to further improve outcomes for critically ill children, we must extend early institution of goal-directed therapy into the pretertiary hospital setting and bring expertise to the child.

Methamphetamine exposure presenting as caustic ingestions in children.

With the growing prevalence of methamphetamine use and production in home laboratories, children are at risk for injuries resulting from living in a drug-endangered environment. Although the ingestion of household cleaners is usually accidental and not a result of illicit drug use or production, medical providers must be aware of the chemicals associated with methamphetamine and illicit drug production to identify patients harmed in this environment. We present the first reported cases of children harmed by ingesting caustic substances used in the production of methamphetamine in the home.

Hurricane Katrina: emergent interstate transport of an evacuee on biventricular assist device support.

In many U.S. hospitals, mechanical circulatory support has become routine. However, catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina test the abilities of a hospital system to sustain patients on such support and transport them in emergent situations. A 15-year-old boy with dilated cardiomyopathy who was receiving biventricular mechanical circulatory support at a New Orleans hospital was successfully transported by Angel One Transport from Arkansas Children's Hospital across state lines to Texas Children's Hospital, where he was stabilized and received an orthotopic heart transplant.

Enhanced monitoring improves pediatric transport outcomes: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The "golden-hour" concept has led to emphasis on speed of patient delivery during pediatric interfacility transport. Timely intervention, in addition to enhanced monitoring during transport, is the key to improved outcomes in critically ill patients. Taking the ICU to the patient may be more beneficial than rapid delivery to a tertiary care center. METHODS: The Improved Monitoring During Pediatric Interfacility Transport trial was the first randomized controlled trial in the out-of-hospital pediatric transport environment. It was designed to determine the impact of improved blood pressure monitoring during pediatric interfacility transport and the effect on clinical outcomes in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and moderate-to-severe head trauma. Patients in the control group had their blood pressure monitored intermittently with an oscillometric device; those in the intervention group had their blood pressure monitored every 12 to 15 cardiac contractions with a near-continuous, noninvasive device. RESULTS: Between May 2006 and June 2007, 1995, consecutive transport patients were screened, and 94 were enrolled (48 control, 46 intervention). Patients in the intervention group received more intravenous fluid (19.8 ± 22.2 vs 9.9 ± 9.9 mL/kg; P = .01), had a shorter hospital stay (6.8 ± 7.8 vs 10.9 ± 13.4 days; P = .04), and had less organ dysfunction (18 of 206 vs 32 of 202 PICU days; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Improved monitoring during pediatric transport has the potential to improve outcomes of critically ill children. Clinical trials, including randomized controlled trials, can be accomplished during pediatric transport. Future studies should evaluate optimal equipment, protocols, procedures, and interventions during pediatric transport, aimed at improving the clinical and functional outcomes of critically ill patients.

Reducing PICU central line-associated bloodstream infections: 3-year results.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term impact of pediatric central line care practices in reducing PICU central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLA-BSI) rates and to evaluate the added impact of chlorhexidine scrub and chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges. METHODS: A 3-year, multi-institutional, interrupted time-series design (October 2006 to September 2009), with historical control data, was used. A nested, 18-month, nonrandomized, factorial design was used to evaluate 2 additional interventions. Twenty-nine PICUs were included. Two central line care bundles (insertion and maintenance bundles) and 2 additional interventions (chlorhexidine scrub and chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges) were used. CLA-BSI rates (January 2004 to September 2009), insertion and maintenance bundle compliance rates (October 2006 to September 2009), and chlorhexidine scrub and chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge compliance rates (January 2008 to June 2009) were assessed. RESULTS: The average aggregate baseline PICU CLA-BSI rate decreased 56% over 36 months from 5.2 CLA-BSIs per 1000 line-days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4-6.2 CLA-BSIs per 1000 line-days) to 2.3 CLA-BSIs per 1000 line-days (95% CI: 1.9-2.9 CLA-BSIs per 1000 line-days) (rate ratio: 0.44 [95% CI: 0.37-0.53]; P < .0001). No statistically significant differences in CLA-BSI rate decreases between PICUs using or not using either of the 2 additional interventions were found. CONCLUSIONS: Focused attention on consistent adherence to the use of pediatrics-specific central line insertion and maintenance bundles produced sustained, continually decreasing PICU CLA-BSI rates. Additional use of either chlorhexidine for central line entry scrub or chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges did not produce any statistically significant additional reduction in PICU CLA-BSI rates.

Decreasing PICU catheter-associated bloodstream infections: NACHRI's quality transformation efforts.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the magnitude of the problem of catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSIs) in children, relatively little research has been performed to identify effective strategies to reduce these complications. In this study, we aimed to develop and evaluate effective catheter-care practices to reduce pediatric CA-BSIs. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Our study was a multi-institutional, interrupted time-series design with historical control data and was conducted in 29 PICUs across the United States. Two central venous catheter-care practice bundles comprised our intervention: the insertion bundle of pediatric-tailored care elements derived from adult efforts and the maintenance bundle derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and expert pediatric clinician consensus. The bundles were deployed with quality-improvement teaching and methods to support their adoption by teams at the participating PICUs. The main outcome measures were the rate of CA-BSIs from January 2004 to September 2007 and compliance with each element of the insertion and maintenance bundles from October 2006 to September 2007. RESULTS: Average CA-BSI rates were reduced by 43% across 29 PICUs (5.4 vs 3.1 CA-BSIs per 1000 central-line-days; P < .0001). By September 2007, insertion-bundle compliance was 84% and maintenance-bundle compliance was 82%. Hierarchical regression modeling showed that the only significant predictor of an observed decrease in infection rates was the collective use of the insertion and maintenance bundles, as demonstrated by the relative rate (RR) and confidence intervals (CIs) (RR: 0.57 [95% CI: 0.45-0.74]; P < .0001). We used comparable modeling to assess the relative importance of the insertion versus maintenance bundles; the results showed that the only significant predictor of an infection-rate decrease was maintenance-bundle compliance (RR: 0.41 [95% CI: 0.20-0.85]; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with adult ICU care, maximizing insertion-bundle compliance alone cannot help PICUs to eliminate CA-BSIs. The main drivers for additional reductions in pediatric CA-BSI rates are issues that surround daily maintenance care for central lines, as defined in our maintenance bundle. Additional research is needed to define the optimal maintenance bundle that will facilitate elimination of CA-BSIs for children.

Reduction of bloodstream infections associated with catheters in paediatric intensive care unit: stepwise approach.

PROBLEM: Bloodstream infections associated with catheters were the most common nosocomial infections in one paediatric intensive care unit in 1994-7, with rates well above the national average. DESIGN: Clinical data were collected prospectively to assess the rates of infection from 1994 onwards. The high rates in 1994-7 led to the stepwise introduction of interventions over a five year period. At quarterly intervals, prospective data continued to be collected during this period and an additional three year follow-up period. SETTING: A 292 bed tertiary care children's hospital. KEY MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT: We aimed to reduce our infection rates to below the national mean rates for similar units by 2000 (a 25% reduction). STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE: A stepwise introduction of interventions designed to reduce infection rates, including maximal barrier precautions, transition to antibiotic impregnated central venous catheters, annual handwashing campaigns, and changing the skin disinfectant from povidone-iodine to chlorhexidine. Effects of change Significant decreases in rates of infection occurred over the intervention period. These were sustained over the three year follow-up. Annual rates decreased from 9.7/1000 days with a central venous catheter in 1997 to 3.0/1000 days in 2005, which translates to a relative risk reduction of 75% (95% confidence interval 35% to 126%), an absolute risk reduction of 6% (2% to 10%), and a number needed to treat of 16 (10 to 35). LESSONS LEARNT: A stepwise introduction of interventions leading to a greater than threefold reduction in nosocomial infections can be implemented successfully. This requires a multidisciplinary team, support from hospital leadership, ongoing data collection, shared data interpretation, and introduction of evidence based interventions.