Teaching SSHADESS Versus HEADSS to Medical Students: An Association With Improved Communication Skills and Increased Psychosocial Factor Assessments.

OBJECTIVE: The most recent Bright Futures edition describes both the HEADSS (Home, Education, Drugs, Sexuality, Safety) and the strength-based SSHADESS (Strengths, School, Home, Activities, Drugs, Emotions, Sexuality, Safety) frameworks for conducting an adolescent psychosocial history. We found limited research comparing the effectiveness of these 2 frameworks. Our study objective was to examine whether teaching medical students SSHADESS versus HEADSS is associated with increased communication skills and/or completion of the psychosocial assessment. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study of pediatric clerkship students at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, we collected data from observer (faculty, fellow, and resident) and standardized patient (SP) assessments during Objective Structured Clinical Examinations. Primary outcomes were observer and SP-rated usage of communication skills. Secondary outcomes were observer-rated assessment of 6 psychosocial factors. Our predictor variable was whether students were taught HEADSS (11/2015-10/2016) or SSHADESS (11/2016-10/2017). We used Fisher's exact tests and then logistic regressions to adjust for pediatrics clerkship timing and baseline communication skills. RESULTS: About 200 students were assessed (n = 97 HEADSS cohort, n = 103 SSHADESS cohort). In adjusted analyses of observer scores, the SSHADESS cohort was more likely to use all communication skills (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-6.3]) and assess all psychosocial factors (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.01-3.4). There was no significant difference in SP communication scores. DISCUSSION: Teaching SSHADESS was associated with higher observer-rated communication skills scores and improved completeness in assessment of psychosocial factors. Future work should examine the efficacy of SSHADESS through workplace-based assessments and 360 degree assessments from adolescent patients.

Implementation and outcomes of a standard dose dextrose gel protocol for management of transient neonatal hypoglycemia.

OBJECTIVE: The use of oral dextrose gel (DG) reduces IV dextrose use. Prior studies used weight-based dosing (WD), though barriers exist, and are mitigated using standard dosing (SD). Our outcomes include IV dextrose use, NICU admissions, breastfeeding, adverse events, and assessment of WD vs SD. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review comparing pre-DG, WD, and SD in 16490 newborns (1329 hypoglycemic) ≥ 35 weeks admitted to the nursery over 3 years. RESULTS: There was reduction in IV dextrose use 10.9% vs 6.5% (p = 0.004) and NICU admissions 27.9% vs 16.1% (p < 0.001) associated with DG use, and increased rate of breastfed infants 33.8% vs 43.5% (p = 0.001), with no difference between WD and SD. No difference noted in adverse events across the study period. CONCLUSIONS: DG utilization is associated with reduced IV dextrose use, NICU admissions, and improved breastfeeding rates without changes in adverse events. We offer SD as a safe alternative to WD.

Faculty Development Offered by US Medical Schools: A National Survey of Pediatric Educators.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited data on the status of faculty development (FD) in the United States. Through a national survey of pediatric educators, we explored the frequency and topics of FD on teaching skills offered at US medical schools, as well as the strategies' schools use to encourage and track participation. METHODS: Five piloted questions were included in the 2017 Annual Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics Survey. We used descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Ninety-seven (66%) of the 148 surveyed US medical schools responded to at least one FD question. Ninety-eight percent of respondents reported being offered FD on teaching, with 97% of those respondents reporting that FD occurred at least annually. A variety of FD topics were reported, with feedback and precepting being most common. Incentives included continuing medical education (CME credit) (39%) and being relieved of clinical duties (23%). However, 29% reported little support for FD. Only 20% of schools reported their department tracked FD participation outside the department. DISCUSSION: Our data suggest that the majority of medical schools offer FD on teaching skills at least yearly, with a variety of topics. Institutions utilize a variety of incentives for participation. However, a significant minority of respondents reported little support for FD. Further, departments rarely track faculty FD participation.

Outcomes of Maternal-Newborn Dyads After Maternal SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Infection with a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic. There are limited data describing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant mothers and their newborns. The objective of this study is to describe characteristics and outcomes of maternal-newborn dyads with confirmed maternal SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: This was a multicenter, observational, descriptive cohort study with data collection from charts of maternal-newborn dyads who delivered at 4 major New York City metropolitan area hospitals between March 1 and May 10, 2020, with maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: There were a total of 149 mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 149 newborns analyzed (3 sets of twins; 3 stillbirths). Forty percent of these mothers were asymptomatic. Approximately 15% of symptomatic mothers required some form of respiratory support, and 8% required intubation. Eighteen newborns (12%) were admitted to the ICU. Fifteen (10%) were born preterm, and 5 (3%) required mechanical ventilation. Symptomatic mothers had more premature deliveries (16% vs 3%, P = .02), and their newborns were more likely to require intensive care (19% vs 2%, P = .001) than asymptomatic mothers. One newborn tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, which was considered a case of horizontal postnatal transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no distinct evidence of vertical transmission from mothers with SARS-CoV-2 to their newborns, we did observe perinatal morbidities among both mothers and newborns. Symptomatic mothers were more likely to experience premature delivery and their newborns to require intensive care.

Improving Birth Dose Hepatitis B Vaccination Rates: A Quality Improvement Intervention.

BACKGROUND: There are 43 000 new cases of hepatitis B virus infection and 1000 cases of perinatally acquired infection each year in the United States. National recommendations are to administer hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine to all stable newborns >2000 g within 24 hours of birth. Our primary objective was to increase institutional vaccination rates from a baseline of 52% to goal >85% before hospital discharge. METHODS: In February 2017, we instituted a multidisciplinary quality improvement project aimed at increasing HepB vaccination birth dose rates. Interventions included (1) standardizing the process of offering HepB vaccine via scripting and timing, (2) engaging and educating parents, and (3) educating physicians and nurses regarding the importance of HepB vaccination and strategies to discuss HepB vaccination with vaccine-hesitant parents. The main outcome measure was the percentage of newborns receiving HepB vaccination by discharge. The secondary outcome was the percentage of newborns receiving HepB vaccination by 12 hours of life per New York State Department of Health recommendation. Data were analyzed by using statistical process control P-charts. RESULTS: A total of 21 108 newborns were included between July 2015 and April 2019. In addition to several upward centerline shifts, implementation of interventions resulted in increased and sustained HepB vaccination rates by hospital discharge from a baseline of 52.4% to 72.5%. Rates by 12 hours of life increased from 21.5% to 42.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary collaboration, scripting, and provider and staff education regarding the risks of hepatitis B virus, benefits of HepB vaccine, and strategies to discuss HepB vaccination with parents significantly increased vaccination rates. Further efforts to improve vaccination rates to within 12 hours are preferable.

Implementation of an Inpatient Pediatric Sepsis Identification Pathway.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Early identification and treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock improves outcomes. We sought to identify and evaluate children with possible sepsis on a pediatric medical/surgical unit through successful implementation of a sepsis identification pathway. METHODS: The sepsis identification pathway, a vital sign screen and subsequent physician evaluation, was implemented in October 2013. Quality improvement interventions were used to improve physician and nursing adherence with the pathway. We reviewed charts of patients with positive screens on a monthly basis to assess for nursing recognition/physician notification, physician evaluation for sepsis, and subsequent physician diagnosis of sepsis and severe sepsis/septic shock. Adherence data were analyzed on a run chart and statistical process control p-chart. RESULTS: Nursing and physician pathway adherence of >80% was achieved over a 6-month period and sustained for the following 6 months. The direction of improvements met standard criteria for special causes. Over a 1-year period, there were 963 admissions to the unit. Positive screens occurred in 161 (16.7%) of these admissions and 38 (23.5%) of these had a physician diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock. One patient with neutropenia and septic shock had a negative sepsis screen due to lack of initial fever. CONCLUSIONS: Using quality improvement methodology, we successfully implemented a sepsis identification pathway on our pediatric unit. The pathway provided a standardized process to identify and evaluate children with possible sepsis requiring timely evaluation and treatment.