Management of esophageal button battery ingestions: resource utilization and outcomes.

PURPOSE: Institutions are adopting the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) guidelines for pediatric esophageal button battery ingestion (EBBI). Our objective was to evaluate the guidelines' impact on in-hospital resource utilization and short-term clinical outcomes in hemodynamically stable patients after endoscopic battery removal. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review of all EBBI admissions from 2010 to 2020. Patients were divided into two groups based on adoption of national guidelines: pre-guideline (2010-2015) and post-guideline (2016-2020). RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were studied (pre-guideline n = 23; post-guideline n = 42). Compared with pre-guideline, post-guideline use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) increased (2/23 [8.7%]; 30/42 [71.4%]; p < 0.001). Post-guideline increases resulted for median days (IQR) receiving antibiotics (0 [0, 4]; 6 [3, 8]; p = 0.01), total pediatric intensive care unit admission (0 [0, 1]; 3 [0, 6]; p < 0.001), and total hospital length of stay (5 [2, 11]; 11.5 [4, 17]; p = 0.02). Two patients in the post-guideline group had delayed presentations despite normal imaging: one with TEF and one with aorto-esophageal fistula. All survived to discharge. CONCLUSION: In EBBI cases managed using the consensus based NASPHAGN guidelines, we report increased resource utilization without improved patient outcomes. Further research should evaluate post-guideline costs and resource utilization.

Survey of Current Institutional Practices in the Use of High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVES: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an oxygen delivery device that provides heated humidified air with higher flow rates. The purpose of this survey is to look at institutional practice patterns of HFNC initiation, weaning, and disposition for pediatric patients across the United States. METHODS: Survey was sent via electronic listservs to pediatric physicians in emergency medicine, hospital medicine, critical care, and urgent care. The questionnaire was divided into demographics and HFNC practices (initiation, management, and weaning). One response per institution was included in the analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-four responses were included in the analysis, composed of 40% pediatric emergency medicine physicians, 46% pediatric hospitalists, 13% pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) physicians, and 1% pediatric urgent care physicians. Ninety-eight percent of the participants have HFNC at their institution. Thirty-seven percent of the respondents had a formal guideline for HFNC initiation. Nearly all guideline and nonguideline institutions report HFNC use in bronchiolitis. Guideline cohort is more likely to have exclusion criteria for HFNC (42% in the guideline cohort vs 17% in the nonguideline cohort; P < 0.001) and less frequently mandates PICU admissions once on HFNC (11% in the guideline cohort vs 56% in the nonguideline cohort; P < 0.001). Forty-six percent of guideline cohort had an objective scoring system to help determine the need for HFNC, and 73% had a weaning guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is general agreement to use HFNC in bronchiolitis, great practice variation remains in the initiation, management, and weaning of HFNC across the United States. There is also a discordance on PICU use when a patient is using HFNC.

Association of Clinical Guidelines and Decision Support with Computed Tomography Use in Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the presence of clinical guidelines and clinical decision support (CDS) for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are associated with lower use of head computed tomography (CT). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 45 pediatric emergency departments (EDs) in the Pediatric Hospital Information System from 2015 through 2019. We included children discharged with mTBI and surveyed ED clinical directors to ascertain the presence and implementation year of clinical guidelines and CDS. The association of clinical guidelines and CDS with CT use was assessed, adjusting for relevant confounders. As secondary outcomes, we evaluated ED length of stay and rates of 3-day ED revisits and admissions after revisits. RESULTS: There were 216 789 children discharged with mTBI, and CT was performed during 20.3% (44 114/216 789) of ED visits. Adjusted hospital-specific CT rates ranged from 11.8% to 34.7% (median 20.5%, IQR 17.3%, 24.3%). Of the 45 EDs, 17 (37.8%) had a clinical guideline, 9 (20.0%) had CDS, and 19 (42.2%) had neither. Compared with EDs with neither a clinical guideline nor CDS, visits to EDs with CDS (aOR 0.52 [0.47, 0.58]) or a clinical guideline (aOR 0.83 [0.78, 0.89]) had lower odds of including a CT for mTBI. ED length of stay and revisit rates did not differ based on the presence of a clinical guideline or CDS. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical guidelines for mTBI, and particularly CDS, were associated with lower rates of head CT use without adverse clinical outcomes.

Long-term evidence of neonatal anaesthesia neurotoxicity linked to behavioural phenotypes in monkeys: where do we go from here?

Whether anaesthesia exposure early in life leads to brain damage with long-lasting structural and behavioural consequences in primates has not been conclusively determined. A study in the British Journal of Anaesthesia by Neudecker and colleagues found that 2 yr after early anaesthesia exposure, monkeys exhibited signs of chronic astrogliosis which correlate with behavioural deficits. Given the increasing frequency of exposure to anaesthetics in infancy in humans, clinical trials are greatly needed to understand how sedative/anaesthetic agents may be impacting brain and behaviour development.

Utility of Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasonography for Evaluating Acute Chest Syndrome in Young Patients With Sickle Cell Disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Acute chest syndrome is a leading cause of mortality in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Because early detection of acute chest syndrome is directly tied to prognosis, young patients with SCD undergo countless chest radiography screenings throughout their lifetime for commonly occurring acute chest syndrome risk factors such as fever, chest pain, or cough. Chest radiography is not an ideal screening method because it is associated with radiation exposure, which accumulates with repeated imaging. Point-of-care lung ultrasonography is a nonradiating imaging modality that has been used to identify other lung pathology and may have a role in SCD. The goal of this study was to determine the accuracy of point-of-care lung ultrasound to identify an infiltrate suggestive of acute chest syndrome in patients with SCD compared to chest radiography as the gold standard. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study in 2 urban pediatric emergency departments to evaluate the accuracy of point-of-care lung ultrasonography in identifying patients with SCD who were aged 0 to 21 years and had an infiltrate suggestive of acute chest syndrome compared with chest radiography. Clinicians and trainees with point-of-care lung ultrasonographic training obtained informed consent and performed investigational point-of-care lung ultrasonography to evaluate for lung consolidation. A blinded point-of-care lung ultrasonographic expert reviewed results for quality assurance and agreement. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and positive and negative predictive value were calculated for point-of-care lung ultrasonography test performance characteristics, with chest radiography as a reference standard. RESULTS: Point-of-care lung ultrasonography was performed on 191 SCD patients with a mean age of 8 years; 41% were female patients, and there was a 17% prevalence of acute chest syndrome. Accuracy of point-of-care lung ultrasonography to detected acute chest syndrome was 92%, sensitivity was 88%, and specificity was 93% compared with that for chest radiography. CONCLUSION: Point-of-care lung ultrasonography is a feasible alternative to chest radiography for screening for acute chest syndrome in young patients with SCD. Further studies are needed to determine how this test performs within clinical practice.

Radiologic Imaging in Trauma Patients with Cervical Spine Immobilization at a Pediatric Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric trauma patients with cervical spine (CS) immobilization using a cervical collar often require procedural sedation (PS) for radiologic imaging. The limited ability to perform airway maneuvers while CS immobilized with a cervical collar is a concern for emergency department (ED) staff providing PS. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of PS and analgesia for radiologic imaging acquisition in pediatric trauma patients with CS immobilization. METHODS: Retrospective medical record review of all trauma patients with CS immobilization at a high-volume pediatric trauma center was performed. Patient demographics, imaging modality, PS success, sedative and analgesia medications, and adverse events were analyzed. Patients intubated prior to arrival to the ED were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 1417 patients with 1898 imaging encounters met our inclusion criteria. A total of 398 patients required more than one radiographic imaging procedure. The median age was 8 years (range 3.8-12.75 years). Computed tomography of the head was used in 974 of the 1898 patients (51.3%). A total of 956 of the 1898 patients (50.4%) required sedatives or analgesics for their radiographic imaging, with 875 (91.5%) requiring a single sedative or analgesic agent, and 81 (8.5%) requiring more than one medication. Airway obstruction was the most common adverse event, occurring in 5 of 956 patients (0.3%). All imaging procedures were successfully completed. CONCLUSION: Only 50% of CS immobilized, nonintubated patients required a single sedative or analgesic medication for their radiologic imaging. Procedural success was high, with few adverse events.

Procedural sedation in children with autism spectrum disorders: A survey of current practice patterns of the society for pediatric sedation members.

BACKGROUND: Children with autism spectrum disorder are challenging to sedate because of communication, sensory, and behavioral challenges. AIMS: The aim of this survey was to determine how procedural sedation is provided to children with autism spectrum disorders and whether sedation programs have specialized protocols for procedural sedation of these children. METHODS: We surveyed physician Medical Directors of sedation programs who are members of the Society for Pediatric Sedation, asking about practice characteristics and resource utilization during procedural sedation of children with autism spectrum disorders. RESULTS: Of 58 directors, 47 (81%) responded. Of the programs surveyed, 53% were either a large university medical center and 40% were a freestanding children's hospital. Only (12/47, 25.5%) of the programs used an individualized autism coping plan. To accomplish procedural sedation in this study cohort, 36% of the programs used additional nurses, whereas a child life specialist was used in 55% of the programs surveyed. Only 28% of the centers allotted additional time to accommodate children with autism spectrum disorders. Distraction methods were used in 80% whereas restrains were used in 45% programs for were used most commonly for i.v. catheter placement. Propofol was the preferred agent for 70% of programs for imaging, while propofol + fentanyl was used by 66% of programs for painful procedures. Although 57% of directors reported that their program staff was extremely comfortable providing procedural sedation for children with autism spectrum disorder, 79% of the directors wanted more education about behavioral management strategies for procedural sedation of these children. CONCLUSION: Among the Society for Pediatric Sedation programs, significant institutional variation exists on the delivery of procedural sedation to children with autism spectrum disorders. A better understanding of resources required, standardization of behavioral management strategies and pharmacologic approaches, and protocol development may help optimize care to this vulnerable population.

Factors affecting same-day cancelation of outpatient pediatric oncologic procedural sedation.

BACKGROUND: Children with cancer undergo serial invasive, painful procedures as a part of their diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance regimens that require procedural sedation (PS). Some may have a delay in their treatment plan due to same-day cancelation (SDC) of the procedure due to issues related to sedation or other factors. The objective of this report was to evaluate the factors resulting in the SDC of hematology and oncology patients in an outpatient pediatric sedation service. METHODS: Retrospective review of children with cancer or other hematologic disorders undergoing outpatient procedures using a dedicated pediatric sedation team from January 2012 to December 2017. The children with SDC were compared to controls (ie, patients not canceled) during the above study period. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients had SDC during the study. The median age was 10 years (25th percentile to 75th percentile: 7-10 years). The overall SDC rate was 3% and 78/100 (78%) had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Most common procedure was lumbar puncture with intrathecal chemotherapy in 82/100 (82%) patients. Inadequate blood counts, acute illness, and not nil per os (NPO) accounted for 83% of the reasons for SDC. Type of health insurance, estimated household income, or distance traveled to the clinic did not impact SDC. CONCLUSIONS: The most common factors for SDC included inadequate blood counts, acute illness, and not meeting NPO guidelines. Understanding factors affecting SDC may help improve the efficiency of time-sensitive care delivered to children with cancer and other hematologic concerns by a pediatric sedation service.

Factors Influencing Pediatrician Retirement: A Survey of American Academy of Pediatrics Chapter Members.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the factors that may influence physicians' desire to retire through an analysis of data collected through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) State Pediatrician Workforce Survey. STUDY DESIGN: An electronic survey was sent to retired and nonretired US pediatricians who held AAP membership. The respondents were asked about the importance of 12 factors that would influence or had influenced their decision to retire. The physicians who were not yet retired also were asked: "If you could afford to today, would you retire from medicine?" RESULTS: The survey was completed by 8867 pediatricians. Among the nonretired respondents, 27% reported that they would retire today if it were affordable. Increasing regulation of medicine, decreasing clinical autonomy, and insufficient reimbursement were rated as very important factors by >50% of these pediatricians. Among retired pediatricians, 26.9% identified the effort to keep up with clinical advances and changes in practice as a very important factor in their decision to retire. Younger physicians were significantly more likely to rate maintenance of certification requirements, insufficient reimbursement, lack of professional satisfaction, and family responsibilities as very important factors. Rural pediatricians were more interested in retiring than those working in academic settings. There were no sex differences. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-seven percent of pediatricians in practice today would retire today if it were affordable. Identifying and addressing the important factors that influence a pediatrician's desire to retire can potentially reduce the retirement rate of pediatricians and thus increase access to care for children.

Impact of Chronic Conditions on Emergency Department Visits of Children Using Medicaid.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of chronic conditions on children's emergency department (ED) use. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 1 850 027 ED visits in 2010 by 3 250 383 children ages 1-21 years continuously enrolled in Medicaid from 10 states included in the Truven Marketscan Medicaid Database. The main outcome was the annual ED visit rate not resulting in hospitalization per 1000 enrollees. We compared rates by enrollees' characteristics, including type and number of chronic conditions, and medical technology (eg, gastrostomy, tracheostomy), using Poisson regression. To assess chronic conditions, we used the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Chronic Condition Indicator system, assigning chronic conditions with ED visit rates ≥75th percentile as having the "highest" visit rates. RESULTS: The overall annual ED visit rate was 569 per 1000 enrollees. As the number of the children's chronic conditions increased from 0 to ≥3, visit rates increased by 180% (from 376 to 1053 per 1000 enrollees, P < .001). Rates were 174% higher in children assisted with vs without medical technology (1546 vs 565, P < .001). Sickle cell anemia, epilepsy, and asthma were among the chronic conditions associated with the highest ED visit rates (all ≥1003 per 1000 enrollees). CONCLUSIONS: The highest ED visit rates resulting in discharge to home occurred in children with multiple chronic conditions, technology assistance, and specific conditions such as sickle cell anemia. Future studies should assess the preventability of ED visits in these populations and identify opportunities for reducing their ED use.

Delayed Diagnoses in Children with Constipation: Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of abdominal radiographs contributes to increased healthcare costs, radiation exposure, and potentially to misdiagnoses. We evaluated the association between abdominal radiograph performance and emergency department (ED) revisits with important alternate diagnosis among children with constipation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of children aged <18 years diagnosed with constipation at one of 23 EDs from 2004 to 2015. The primary exposure was abdominal radiograph performance. The primary outcome was a 3-day ED revisit with a clinically important alternate diagnosis. RAND/University of California, Los Angeles methodology was used to define whether the revisit was related to the index visit and due to a clinically important condition other than constipation. Regression analysis was performed to identify exposures independently related to the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 65.7% (185 439/282 225) of children with constipation had an index ED visit abdominal radiograph performed. Three-day revisits occurred in 3.7% (10 566/282 225) of children, and 0.28% (784/282 225) returned with a clinically important alternate related diagnosis. Appendicitis was the most common such revisit, accounting for 34.1% of all 3-day clinically important related revisits. Children who had an abdominal radiograph performed were more likely to have a 3-day revisit with a clinically important alternate related diagnosis (0.33% vs 0.17%; difference 0.17%; 95% CI 0.13-0.20). Following adjustment for covariates, abdominal radiograph performance was associated with a 3-day revisit with a clinically important alternate diagnosis (aOR: 1.39; 95% CI 1.15-1.67). Additional characteristics associated with the primary outcome included narcotic (aOR: 2.63) and antiemetic (aOR: 2.35) administration and underlying comorbidities (aOR: 2.52). CONCLUSIONS: Among children diagnosed with constipation, abdominal radiograph performance is associated with an increased risk of a revisit with a clinically important alternate related diagnosis.

Evaluation of methohexital as an alternative to propofol in a high volume outpatient pediatric sedation service.

BACKGROUND: Propofol is a preferred agent for many pediatric sedation providers because of its rapid onset and short duration of action. It allows for quick turn around times and enhanced throughput. Occasionally, intravenous (IV) methohexital (MHX), an ultra-short acting barbiturate is utilized instead of propofol. OBJECTIVE: Describe the experience with MHX in a primarily propofol driven outpatient sedation program and to see if it serves as an acceptable alternative when propofol is not the preferred pharmacologic option. METHODS: Retrospective chart review from 2012 to 2015 of patients receiving IV MHX as their primary sedation agent. Data collected included demographics, reason for methohexital use, dosing, type of procedure, success rate, adverse events (AE), duration of the procedure, and time to discharge. RESULTS: Methohexital was used in 240 patient encounters. Median age was 4years (IQR 2-7), 71.8% were male, and 80.4% were ASA-PS I or II. Indications for MHX use: egg+soy/peanut allergy in 93 (38.8%) and mitochondrial disorder 9 (3.8%). Median induction bolus was 2.1mg/kg (IQR, 1.9-2.8), median maintenance infusion was 4.5mg/kg/h (IQR, 3.0-6.0). Hiccups 15 (6.3%), secretions requiring intervention 14 (5.8%), and cough 12 (5.0%) were the most commonly occurring minor AEs. Airway obstruction was seen in 28 (11.6%). Overall success rate was 94%. Median time to discharge after procedure completion was 40.5min (IQR 28-57). CONCLUSION: Methohexital can be used with a high success rate and AEs that are not inconsistent with propofol administration. Methohexital should be considered when propofol is not a preferred option.

Imaging for Suspected Appendicitis: Variation Between Academic and Private Practice Models.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the effect of different emergency department (ED) practice models on computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) utilization for suspected appendicitis in the ED and through the potential inpatient hospital stay. OBJECTIVES: Examination rates of CT and US for suspected appendicitis at 2 different pediatric EDs (PEDs) through hospital admission: an academic affiliated tertiary PED (site A) compared with a private practice tertiary care PED (site B). METHODS: All visits with the ICD-9 (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision) chief complaint of abdominal pain were retrospectively examined from May 1, 2009, to February 21, 2012. Suspected appendicitis visits were defined as any visit with the chief complaint of abdominal pain where a complete blood cell count was obtained. Abdominal CT and US in the PED and during hospital admission were compared across the 2 sites. Return visits within 72 hours were evaluated for any missed appendicitis. RESULTS: Overall appendicitis rates were similar at both sites: site A, 4.7%; site B, 4.0%. The odds of having a CT scan performed during visits to the PED for abdominal pain were significantly higher at site B (odds ratio [OR], 3.19; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.74-3.71), whereas the odds of having an US at site B were the opposite (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.28-0.40). When evaluating only the admitted visits, the odds of having a CT were also greater at site B (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.86-2.94) and having an US were less (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.44-0.73). CONCLUSIONS: In this study of 2 PEDs with differing practice models, we identified a dramatic difference in imaging utilization among patients with suspected appendicitis.

Deep procedural sedation by a sedationist team for outpatient pediatric renal biopsies.

To date, no study has analyzed the use of deep PS for pediatric renal biopsies by a dedicated sedation team in an outpatient setting. Retrospective analysis of renal biopsies performed at CHOA from 2009 to 2013. Patient demographics, procedure success, and sedation-related events were analyzed. Logistic regression techniques were applied to identify characteristics associated with procedure safety and success. A total of 174 biopsies from 136 patients, aged 2-21 yr, were reviewed. Of the 174 biopsies, 63 of 174 (36%) were from native, and 111 of 174 (64%) were from transplanted kidneys, respectively. No deaths, allograft losses, or unanticipated hospital admissions occurred. The most commonly utilized interventions during sedation were blow-by oxygen (29.9%) and CPAP (12.1%). Children receiving the combination of F + P had significantly higher biopsy success rates vs. other drug combinations (96.1% vs. 79%; p = 0.014). There was no difference in complication rates regardless of drug combination or biopsy type (transplanted vs. native). The combination of F + P yields a high procedural success rate for outpatient native and transplanted kidney biopsies. We identified a number of sedation-related events that can be easily managed by a well-trained sedationist team.

Prospective validation of a biomarker panel to identify pediatric ED patients with abdominal pain who are at low risk for acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to prospectively validate the diagnostic accuracy of a biomarker panel consisting of white blood cell, C-reactive protein, and myeloid-related protein 8/14 levels in identifying pediatric patients with abdominal pain who are at low risk for appendicitis. METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled subjects aged 2 to 20 years presenting to 29 US emergency departments with abdominal pain suggesting possible acute appendicitis. Blood samples were analyzed for white blood cell, C-reactive protein, and myeloid-related protein 8/14 levels from which the composite biomarker panel results were calculated, then correlated with the final diagnosis either positive or negative for acute appendicitis. RESULTS: A total of 2201 patients were enrolled, with 1887 completing all aspects of the study. Prevalence of appendicitis in this cohort was 25.3%. The biomarker panel exhibited a sensitivity of 97.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95.1%-98.2%), negative predictive value of 97.4% (95% CI, 95.8%-98.5%), negative likelihood ratio of 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05-0.13), with a specificity of 37.9% (95% CI, 35.4%-40.4%) for appendicitis. The panel correctly identified 534 (37.8%) of 1410 patients who did not have appendicitis with 14 false negatives (2.9%). Overall, 23.7% (132/557) of computed tomographic (CT) scans were done for patients with negative biomarker panel results, including 31.2% (131/420) of patients who had CT but did not have appendicitis. CONCLUSION: This biomarker panel exhibited high sensitivity and negative predictive value for acute appendicitis in this large prospective cohort. This panel may be useful in identifying pediatric patients who are at low risk for appendicitis and might be followed clinically, potentially reducing the dependence on CT in the evaluation for acute appendicitis.

A randomized trial of Plasma-Lyte A and 0.9 % sodium chloride in acute pediatric gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND: Compare the efficacy and safety of Plasma-Lyte A (PLA) versus 0.9 % sodium chloride (NaCl) intravenous (IV) fluid replacement in children with moderate to severe dehydration secondary to acute gastroenteritis (AGE). METHODS: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study conducted at eight pediatric emergency departments (EDs) in the US and Canada (NCT#01234883). The primary outcome measure was serum bicarbonate level at 4 h. Secondary outcomes included safety and tolerability. The hypothesis was that PLA would be superior to 0.9 % NaCl in improvement of 4-h bicarbonate. Patients (n = 100) aged ≥6 months to <11 years with AGE-induced moderate-to-severe dehydration were enrolled. Patients with a baseline bicarbonate level ≤22 mEq/L formed the modified intent to treat (mITT) group. RESULTS: At baseline, the treatment groups were comparable except that the PLA group was older. At hour 4, the PLA group had greater increases in serum bicarbonate from baseline than did the 0.9 % NaCl group (mean ± SD at 4 h: 18 ± 3.74 vs 18.0 ± 3.67; change from baseline of 1.6 and 0.0, respectively; P = .004). Both treatment groups received similar fluid volumes. The PLA group had less abdominal pain and better dehydration scores at hour 2 (both P = .03) but not at hour 4 (P = 0.15 and 0.08, respectively). No patient experienced clinically relevant worsening of laboratory findings or physical examination, and hospital admission rates were similar. One patient in each treatment group developed hyponatremia. Four patients developed hyperkalemia (PLA:1, 0.9 % NaCl:3). CONCLUSION: In comparison with 0.9 % NaCl, PLA for rehydration in children with AGE was well tolerated and led to more rapid improvement in serum bicarbonate and dehydration score. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT#01234883 (Registration Date: November 3, 2010).

Emergency Department Use of Computed Tomography for Children with Ventricular Shunts.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify rates and variation in emergency department (ED) cranial computed tomography (CT) utilization in children with ventricular shunts, estimate radiation exposure, and evaluate the association between CT utilization and shunt revision. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study of ED visits from 2003-2013 in children 0-18 years old with initial shunt placement in 2003. Data were examined from 31 hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System. Main outcomes were cranial CT performed during an ED visit, estimated cumulative effective radiation dose, and shunt revision within 7 days. Multivariable regression modeled the relationship between patient- and hospital-level covariates and CT utilization. RESULTS: The 1319 children with initial shunt placed in 2003 experienced 6636 ED visits during the subsequent decade. A cranial CT was obtained in 49.4% of all ED visits; 19.9% of ED visits with CT were associated with a shunt revision. Approximately 6% of patients received ≥10 CTs, accounting for 37.2% of all ED visits with a CT. The mean number of CTs per patient varied nearly 20-fold across hospitals; the individual hospital accounted for the most variation in CT utilization. The median (IQR) cumulative effective radiation dose was 7.2 millisieverts (3.6-14.0) overall, and 33.4 millisieverts (27.2-43.8) among patients receiving ≥10 CTs. CONCLUSIONS: A CT scan was obtained in half of ED visits for children with a ventricular shunt, with wide variability in utilization by hospitals. Strategies are needed to identify children at risk of shunt malfunction to reduce variability in CT utilization and radiation exposure in the ED.

Rates and impact of potentially preventable readmissions at children's hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To assess readmission rates identified by 3M-Potentially Preventable Readmissions software (3M-PPRs) in a national cohort of children's hospitals. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1 719 617 hospitalizations for 1 531 828 unique patients in 58 children's hospitals from 2009 to 2011 from the Children's Hospital Association Case-Mix Comparative database were examined. Main outcome measures included rates, diagnoses, and costs of potentially preventable readmissions (PPRs) and all-cause readmissions. RESULTS: The 7-, 15-, and 30-day rates by 3M-PPRs were 2.5%, 4.1%, and 6.2%, respectively. Corresponding all-cause readmission rates were 5.0%, 8.7%, and 13.3%. At 30 days, 60.6% of all-cause readmissions were considered nonpreventable by 3M-PPRs, more than one-half of which were related to malignancies. The percentage of readmissions rated as potentially preventable was similar at all 3 time intervals. Readmissions after chemotherapy, acute leukemia, and cystic fibrosis were all considered nonpreventable, and at least 80% of readmissions after index admissions for sickle cell crisis, bronchiolitis, ventricular shunt procedures, asthma, and appendectomy were designated potentially preventable. Total costs for all readmissions were $1.7 billion; PPRs accounted for 27.3% of these costs. The most costly readmissions were associated with ventricular shunt procedures ($26.5 million/year), seizures ($15.5 million/year), and sickle cell crisis ($15.0 million/year). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of PPRs were significantly lower than all-cause readmission rates more than one-half of which were caused by exclusion of malignancies. Annual costs of PPRs, although significant in the aggregate, appear to represent a much smaller cost-savings opportunity for children than for adults. Our study may help guide children's hospitals to focus readmission reduction strategies on areas where the financial vulnerability is greatest based on 3M-PPRs.