Implementation of enhanced recovery protocols reduces opioid use in pediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery.

PURPOSE: Enhanced recovery protocols [ERPs] standardize care and have been demonstrated to improve surgical quality in adults. We retrospectively compared outcomes before and after implementation of ERPs in children undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy [ELC] surgery. METHODS: A pediatric-specific ERP was implemented for children undergoing ELC at one [C1] of the two Pediatric Surgical Centers in July 2016. We retrospectively reviewed 606 patients undergoing ELC between July 2014 and December 2019. Of these, 206 patients underwent ELC prior to ERP implementation [Pre-ERP] were compared to 400 patients undergoing ELC managed in the post-ERP implementation period (between January 2017 and December 2019), 21 of which were managed by enhanced recovery protocol. Primary Outcomes included immediate peri-operative and post-operative narcotic use in mean morphine equivalents [MME], narcotics at discharge, complications, nurse calls and returns to system [RTS]. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in opioid use both post-operatively and at time of discharge in the ERP managed cohort. The MME use during the post-operative period was 0.85 in the in ERP-compliant patients compared to 6.40 in the non-compliant group (p < 0.027). Eighty-six percent of ERP-compliant patients in the study required no narcotics at discharge, which was statistically significant when compared to ERP non-compliant cohort (p < 0.0001). There was also no change in RTS, nurse calls or complications. In addition, in the post-ERP period (2017-2019), a dominant proportion of patients at C1 partially complied with the ERP, resulting in a statistically significantly decrease of opioid use between sites in the post-op period (6.54 vs 10.57 MME) post-ERP (p < 0.001). Similar effects were noted in discharge narcotics. CONCLUSION: The use of pediatric-specific ERP in children undergoing ELC is safe, effective, and provides compassionate pain control while leading to a reduction in opioid use peri-operatively and at discharge. This improvement occurred without changes in RTS, nursing calls or complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; Retrospective study.

Implementation of enhanced recovery protocols reduces opioid use in pediatric laparoscopic Heller myotomy surgery.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) are effective means of standardizing and improving the quality of surgical care in adults. Our purpose was to retrospectively compare outcomes before and after implementation of ERPs in children undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia. METHODS: A pediatric-specific ERP was used for children undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy starting July 2017 at two pediatric surgery centers within a single metropolitan healthcare system. A retrospective review of 8 patients undergoing Heller myotomies between July 2014 and July 2017 was performed as a control. This cohort was compared to 14 patients managed post-ERP implementation (2017-2020). Outcomes of interest investigated included opioid use during admission, narcotics at discharge, time to regular diet, length of stay (LOS), and readmissions. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in opioid use both while in the hospital and at time of discharge. Mean morphine equivalent use was 4.50 mg in the pre-ERP cohort and 1.97 mg in the post-ERP cohort. Furthermore, 8 out of 14 (57%) patients in the post-ERP cohort received no opioids during the admission compared with only 2 out of 8 (25%) patients in the pre-ERP cohort. Only 1 out of 14 (7.14%) patients in the post-ERP cohort was discharged with a prescription for opioid medication while 6 out of 8 (75%) in the pre-ERP cohort were discharged with an opiate prescription. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ERP in children undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy surgery is safe and effective and leads to a reduction in opioid use during admission and at discharge. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Does ERAS impact outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents?

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been successfully implemented in several surgical fields; however, the application of ERAS in the pediatric population is still limited. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine if implementation of an ERAS protocol can improve outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in adolescents. SETTING: University Hospital, United States. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 112 adolescent patients who underwent LSG from February 2011 to July 2019 was conducted. An ERAS protocol was instituted in June 2016. Conventional care patients (n = 51) were compared with ERAS patients (n = 61). Comparisons were made using Χ2 tests or Fisher's exact for categoric data and Wilcoxon-rank sum tests for continuous data. Multiple linear regression was used to adjust length of stay for patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 2 cohorts were similar in age, sex, race, number of co-morbidities, and preoperative body mass index. The volume of intraoperative fluid, intraoperative and postoperative opioids were significantly reduced in the ERAS group (P < .0001). The number of ERAS elements received per patient increased from a median of 9 to 15 (P < .0001). ERAS group had more discharges on postoperative day 1 (48% versus 6 %, respectively). Length of stay was significantly lower in the ERAS group (2.34 versus 2.04 median d, respectively). Difference was still significant after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, payor status, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, preoperative body mass index, and the duration of surgery (P < .0001). There were no differences in postoperative complications and 30-day readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: An LSG ERAS protocol is associated with significant reduction in perioperative opioid use and length of stay with no increase in complications or readmission rates.

Opioid use in children's surgery: Awareness, current state, and advocacy.

In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic, many surgeons who care for children have reflected upon current practices and the history of our own prescribing. In this editorial review, we provide a brief summary of the origins of opioid use in medicine and surgery, we describe how the ongoing opioid epidemic specifically impacts children and adolescents, and we explore contemporary efforts underway to facilitate evidence-based opioid prescribing. Resources for pediatric surgeons including national guidelines related to safe opioid prescribing and web-based toolkits that may be used to implement change locally are highlighted. The goal of the present manuscript is to introduce opioid stewardship as a guiding principle in pediatric surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: LEVEL V (Expert opinion).

Provider education decreases opioid prescribing after pediatric umbilical hernia repair.

PURPOSE: To improve opioid stewardship for umbilical hernia repair in children. METHODS: An educational intervention was conducted at 9 centers with 79 surgeons. The intervention highlighted the importance of opioid stewardship, demonstrated practice variation, provided prescribing guidelines, encouraged non-opioid analgesics, and encouraged limiting doses/strength if opioids were prescribed. Three to six months of pre-intervention and 3 months of post-intervention prescribing practices for umbilical hernia repair were compared. RESULTS: A total of 343 patients were identified in the pre-intervention cohort and 346 in the post-intervention cohort. The percent of patients receiving opioids at discharge decreased from 75.8% pre-intervention to 44.6% (p < 0.001) post-intervention. After adjusting for age, sex, umbilicoplasty, and hospital site, the odds ratio for opioid prescribing in the post- versus the pre-intervention period was 0.27 (95% CI = 0.18-0.39, p < 0.001). Among patients receiving opioids, the number of doses prescribed decreased after the intervention (adjusted mean 14.3 to 10.4, p < 0.001). However, the morphine equivalents/kg/dose did not significantly decrease (adjusted mean 0.14 to 0.13, p = 0.20). There were no differences in returns to emergency departments or hospital readmissions between the pre- and post-intervention cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid stewardship can be improved after pediatric umbilical hernia repair using a low-fidelity educational intervention. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Decreased opioid prescribing in children using an enhanced recovery protocol.

BACKGROUND: A previously implemented Enhanced Recovery Protocol (ERP) for children undergoing elective gastrointestinal operations demonstrated decreased length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital opioid use. We hypothesized that the ERP would be associated with decreased postdischarge opioid prescribing. METHODS: Demographic, operative, and opioid prescription data were retrospectively compared between elective gastrointestinal surgical patients in the pre-ERP (1/2012-12/2014) and the post-ERP periods (1/2015-12/2017). RESULTS: Of the 99 patients reviewed, 56 (56.7%) were treated in the post-ERP era. Overall, 48 (48.5%) were male, and the most common operation was partial or total colectomy (n = 39, 39.4%) followed by ileocecectomy (n = 26, 26.3%). Most patients were 15-16 years of age and had inflammatory bowel disease (n = 88, 88.9%). LOS decreased from a median 4 days pre-ERP to 3 days post-ERP (p = 0.02). Patients receiving intraoperative opioids decreased from 100% to 46% (p < 0.01) and postoperative opioids from 95% to 59% (p < 0.01). Patients receiving an opioid prescription at discharge decreased from 69.8% pre-ERP to 30.9% post-ERP (p < 0.01). Among patients prescribed opioids at discharge, the number of doses (median 23 to 17, p = 0.44) and the median morphine equivalents/kg remained stable (median 2.3 to 1.7, p = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: A pediatric gastrointestinal surgery ERP resulted in decreased postdischarge prescribing of opioids. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Implementation of an enhanced recovery program in pediatric laparoscopic colorectal patients does not worsen analgesia despite reduced perioperative opioids: a retrospective, matched, non-inferiority study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) decrease length of stay and postoperative morbidity, but it is important that these benefits do not come at a cost of sacrificing proper perioperative analgesia. In this retrospective, matched cohort study, we evaluated postoperative pain intensity in pediatric patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgeries before and after ERP implementation. METHODS: Patients in each cohort were randomly matched based on age, diagnosis, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and surgical procedure. The primary outcome was average daily postoperative pain score, while the secondary outcomes included postoperative hospital length of stay, complication rate, and 30-day readmissions. Since our hypothesis was non-inferior analgesia in the postprotocol cohort, a non-inferiority study design was used. RESULTS: After matching, 36 pairs of preprotocol and postprotocol patients were evaluated. ERP patients had non-inferior recovery room pain scores (difference 0 (-1.19, 0) points, 95% CI -0.22 to 0.26 points, p valuenon-inferiority <0.001) and 4-day postoperative pain scores (difference -0.3±1.9 points, 95% CI -0.82 to 0.48 points, p valuenon-inferiority <0.001) while receiving less postoperative opioids (difference -0.15 [-0.21, -0.05] intravenous morphine equivalents/kg/day, p<0.001). ERP patients also had reduced postoperative hospital stays (difference -1.5 [-4.5, 0] days, p<0.001) and 30-day readmissions (2.8% vs 27.8%, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of our ERP for pediatric laparoscopic colorectal patients was associated with less perioperative opioids without worsening postoperative pain scores. In addition, patients who received the protocol had faster return of bowel function, shorter postoperative hospital stays, and a lower rate of 30-day hospital readmissions. In pediatric laparoscopic colorectal patients, the incorporation of an ERP was associated with a pronounced decrease in perioperative morbidity without sacrificing postoperative analgesia.

Importance of Compliance Audits for a Pediatric Complicated Appendicitis Clinical Practice Guideline.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) have been shown to decrease practice variation, reduce resource use, and improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to audit compliance of a pediatric complicated appendicitis CPG to identify areas for continued improvement. A comprehensive complicated appendicitis CPG was implemented in a children's hospital system. Outcomes were compared for 48 months pre- (01/2012 to 12/2015) and 28 months post-implementation (01/2016 to 04/2018). A detailed compliance audit was nested within the post-implementation period in 60 consecutive patients from 11/2017 to 03/2018. Feedback was provided to care providers throughout the audit. Overall, 2370 children with complicated appendicitis were identified (1366 pre-CPG and 1004 post-CPG). The CPG resulted in decrease in mean length of stay from 5.3 days to 4.5 days (p = 0.751), postoperative returns to the system (13.0% to 10.1%, p = 0.030), and readmissions (5.3% to 4.3%, p = 0.237). Central line use decreased from 11.2% to 5.5% (p < 0.001) and antibiotic selection improved from 47.0% to 84.1% (p < 0.001). On audit, only 15% (9/60) had full CPG compliance and 49% (29/60) received recommended antibiotic durations. Compliance increased from 7% to 23% with audit-derived feedback. After stratifying by appendicitis severity, audits resulted in improved antibiotic duration compliance for patients with severe appendicitis (38.1% to 66.7%, p = 0.07) and postoperative ambulation for patients with lower grade disease (37.5% to 83.3%, p = 0.06). Audit cycles on a complicated appendicitis CPG and feedback to providers improved CPG compliance and more granular outcomes of interest.

Implementing a surgeon-reported categorization of pediatric appendicitis severity.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to implement a novel surgeon-reported categorization (SRC) for pediatric appendicitis severity and determine if SRC was associated with outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of appendectomies by 15 surgeons within a single center from January to December 2016. The SRC was defined as: simple (category 1), gangrenous or adherent (category 2A), perforation with localized abscess (category 2B), and perforation with gross contamination (category 2C). Logistic regression modeled the surgical site infections (SSI) and returns to the system. Cox proportional hazards analyses modeled the length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: The cohort included 697 patients (mean age 10.7 years). Compliance with SRC documentation increased from 33.5 to 85.9%. Review of operative findings revealed 100% concordance with SRC. The combined morbidity (SSI and revisits) rate was 9.8%. Category 2C patients had the highest odds of SSI (odds ratio 3.37 95% confidence interval 1.07-10.59). Median LOS increased with each category (category 1 = 1d, category 2A = 2d, category 2B = 4d, category 2C = 6d). When modeling intra-abdominal abscess, SRC displayed an improved model calibration and discrimination compared to wound class. CONCLUSION: SRC implementation is feasible and provides a granular assessment of appendicitis severity and outcomes. SRC may guide future quality improvement through development of grade-specific care pathways.

Effectiveness of gabapentin as a postoperative analgesic in children undergoing appendectomy.

PURPOSE: Though gabapentin is increasingly used as a perioperative analgesic, data regarding effectiveness in children are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gabapentin as a postoperative analgesic in children undergoing appendectomy. METHODS: A 12-month retrospective review of children undergoing appendectomy was performed at a two-hospital children's institution. Patients receiving gabapentin (GP) were matched (1:2) with patients who did not receive gabapentin (NG) based on age, sex and appendicitis severity. Outcome measures included postoperative opioid use, pain scores, and revisits/readmissions. RESULTS: We matched 29 (33.3%) GP patients with 58 (66.6%) NG patients (n = 87). The GP group required significantly less postoperative opioids than the NG group (0.034 mg morphine equivalents/kg (ME/kg) vs. 0.106 ME/kg, p < 0.01). Groups had similar lengths of time from operation to pain scores ≤ 3 (GP 12.21 vs. NG 17.01 h, p = 0.23). GP and NG had similar rates of revisit to the emergency department (13.8 vs. 10.3%, p = 0.73), readmission (6.9 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.26), and revisits secondary to surgical pain (3.4 vs. 3.4%, p = 1.00). CONCLUSION: In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, gabapentin is associated with a reduction in total postoperative opioid use in children with appendicitis. While promising, further prospective validation of clinical effectiveness is needed.

Development of an enhanced recovery protocol for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) have been adopted for a variety of adult surgical conditions and resulted in markedly improved outcomes, including decreased length of stays, complications, costs, and narcotic utilization. In this review, we describe the development and implementation of an ERP for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Existing ERP components from adult and pediatric surgical populations were reviewed and modified through an iterative process that included literature review, a national survey of practicing pediatric surgeons, and appropriateness assessment by a multidisciplinary expert panel. A single-center pilot implementing a gastrointestinal ERP demonstrated a steady increase in the number of ERP elements being employed over time with a simultaneous decrease in length of stays, decrease in median time to regular diet, decrease in median dose of intraoperative and postoperative narcotics, and decrease in median volume of intraoperative fluids. Balancing measures such as complication rates and 30-day readmission rates were stable or trended toward improved outcomes. SUMMARY: ERPs for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery appear feasible, safe, and associated with improved outcomes. Further validation of these results and expansion to a wider breadth of children's surgical care will help to establish ERPs as a new standard of surgical care.

Patient engagement to enhance recovery for children undergoing surgery.

For over 20 years enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) have been used to decrease the physiologic stress and inflammation of surgery using evidence-based principles. ERPs include optimizing patient preparation, creating less trauma using minimally invasive anesthetic and surgical techniques, and regular audit of outcomes. A critical aspect of ERPs is patient engagement in all phases of care, which facilitates effective team function and focused oversight of patient flow through the system. Counseling extends beyond traditional review of surgical risks and benefits, by creating clear daily patient goals, establishing pain management plans, optimizing nutrition, and defining criteria for discharge. The patient and family are provided written and visual media resources to review. This counseling and education clearly outlines the bidirectional expectations, ensures preparedness, and empowers the patient and family by explaining the logic surrounding many of the ERP interventions. The patient and family are, in turn, activated as key stakeholders in the process and have a shared vision with the healthcare team. Most patients enjoy being considered partners and agents in their own healthcare. ERPs facilitate an optimal surgical experience that can improve patient satisfaction, outcomes, and value.

Ramifications of the Children's Surgery Verification Program for Patients and Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons in 2015 instituted the Children's Surgery Verification program delineating requirements for hospitals providing pediatric surgical care. Our purpose was to examine possible effects of the Children's Surgery Verification program by evaluating neonates undergoing high-risk operations. STUDY DESIGN: Using the Kid's Inpatient Database 2009, we identified infants undergoing operations for 5 high-risk neonatal conditions. We considered all children's hospitals and children's units Level I centers and considered all others Level II/III. We estimated the number of neonates requiring relocation and the additional distance traveled. We used propensity score adjusted logistic regression to model mortality at Level I vs Level II/III hospitals. RESULTS: Overall, 7,938 neonates were identified across 21 states at 91 Level I and 459 Level II/III hospitals. Based on our classifications, 2,744 (34.6%) patients would need to relocate to Level I centers. The median additional distance traveled was 6.6 miles. The maximum distance traveled varied by state, from <55 miles (New Jersey and Rhode Island) to >200 miles (Montana, Oregon, Colorado, and California). The adjusted odds of mortality at Level II/III vs Level I centers was 1.67 (95% CI 1.44 to 1.93). We estimate 1 life would be saved for every 32 neonates moved. CONCLUSIONS: Although this conservative estimate demonstrates that more than one-third of complex surgical neonates in 2009 would have needed to relocate under the Children's Surgery Verification program, the additional distance traveled is relatively short for most but not all, and this program might improve mortality. Local level ramifications of this novel national program require additional investigation.

A survey of pediatric surgeons' practices with enhanced recovery after children's surgery.

PURPOSE: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have been shown to improve outcomes in adult abdominal surgical populations. Our purpose was to survey pediatric surgeons' opinions regarding applicability of individual ERAS elements to children's surgery. METHODS: A survey of the American Pediatric Surgical Association was conducted electronically. Using a 5-point Likert scale, respondents rated their willingness to implement 21 adult ERAS elements in an adolescent undergoing elective colorectal surgery. RESULTS: Of an estimated 1052 members, 257 completed the survey (24%). The majority of the respondents (n=175, 68.4%) rated their familiarity with ERAS as "moderately", "very", or "extremely familiar". However only 19.2% (n=49) replied that they were "already implementing" an ERAS protocol in their practice. Most respondents replied that they were "already doing" or "definitely willing" to implement 14 of the 21 (67%) ERAS elements. For the remaining 7 elements, >10% of surgeons answered that they were only "somewhat willing" to, "uncertain" about or "unwilling" to implement these interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents were willing to implement the majority of adult ERAS concepts in children undergoing abdominal surgery. However, we identified 7 elements that remain contentious. Further investigation regarding the safety and feasibility of these elements is warranted before applying them to children's surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V.

Implementation of an enhanced recovery protocol in pediatric colorectal surgery.

PURPOSE: Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) have been shown to improve outcomes in adult surgical populations. Our purpose was to compare outcomes before and after implementation of an ERP in children undergoing elective colorectal surgery. METHODS: A pediatric-specific colorectal ERP was developed and implemented at a single center starting in January 2015. A retrospective review was performed including 43 patients in the pre-ERP period (2012-2014) and 36 patients in the post-ERP period (2015-2016). Outcomes of interest included number of ERP interventions received, length of stay (LOS), complications, and readmissions. RESULTS: The median number of ERP interventions received per patient increased from 5 to 11 from 2012 to 2016. The median LOS decreased from 5days to 3days in the post-ERP period (p=0.01). We observed a simultaneous decrease in median time to regular diet, mean dose of narcotics, and mean volume of intraoperative fluids (p<0.001). The complication rate (21% vs. 17%, p=0.85) and 30-day readmission rate (23% vs. 11%, p=0.63) were not significantly different in the pre- and post-ERP periods. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a pediatric-specific ERP in children undergoing colorectal surgery is feasible, safe and may lead to improved outcomes. Further experience may highlight other opportunities for increased compliance and improved care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Treatment Study. Level III.

Challenge of balancing duration of stay and readmissions in children's operation.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons balance competing interests of minimizing duration of stay with readmissions. Complications that occur early after discharge often result in readmissions. This study examines the relationship between duration of stay, timing of complications, and readmission risk. METHODS: Cases from the 2012-2014 National Surgical Quality Improvement Project-Pediatric were organized into 30 procedural groups. Procedures where duration of stay approximated the median day of complication were identified. A theoretical model was applied to minimize readmissions by extending duration of stay. RESULTS: From 30 procedure groups, 3 were identified where duration of stay approximated median day of compilations: complicated appendectomy, antireflux operation, and abdominal operation without bowel resection. The complicated appendectomy readmission rate drops from 12.2% to 8.2%, increasing duration of stay from 3 to 8 days at the cost of 16,428 additional hospital days among 4,740 patients (3.5 days/patient). Readmission optimization tapers after duration of stay of 8 days. Similar findings were observed for antireflux operation and abdominal operation without bowel resection with readmission optimization at duration of stay of 5 days (2.6 days/patient) and 7 days (5.3 days/patient), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our theoretical model aimed at balancing readmissions by extending duration of stay to capture early complications results in a substantial increase in hospital days illustrating the conflict between competing quality metrics and limited resources.

Defining the association between operative time and outcomes in children's surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged operative time (OT) is considered a reflection of procedural complexity and may be associated with poor outcomes. Our purpose was to explore the association between prolonged OT and complications in children's surgery. METHODS: 182,857 cases from the 2012-2014 NSQIP-Pediatric were organized into 33 groups. OT for each group was analyzed by quartile, and regression models were used to determine the relationship between prolonged OT and complications. RESULTS: Variations in OT existed for both short and long procedures. Cases in the longest quartile had twice the odds of postoperative complications after adjusting for age, sex and BMI (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.78-1.91). Procedure-specific prolonged OT was associated with postoperative complications for the majority (85%) of procedural groupings. Prolonged OT was associated with minor complications in gynecologic (OR 4.17; 95% CI 2.19-7.96), urologic (OR 2.88; 95% CI 2.40-3.44), and appendix procedures (OR 2.88; 95% CI 2.49-3.34). There were increased odds of major complications in foregut (OR 6.56; 95% CI 4.99-8.64), gynecologic (OR 3.07; 95% CI 1.84-5.13), and spine procedures (OR 2.99; 95% CI 2.57-3.28). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged OT is associated with increased odds of postoperative complications across a spectrum of children's surgical procedures. Factors contributing to prolonged OT merit further investigation and may serve as a target for future quality improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Cost comparison of initial lobectomy versus fine-needle aspiration for diagnostic workup of thyroid nodules in children.

BACKGROUND: Though uncommon in children, pediatric thyroid nodules carry a higher risk of malignancy than adult nodules. While fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has been well established as the initial diagnostic test in adults, it has been more slowly adopted in children. The purpose of this study was to examine the comparative cost of FNA versus initial diagnostic lobectomy (DL) in the pediatric patient with an ultrasound-confirmed thyroid nodule. METHODS: A decision tree model was created using an adolescent with an asymptomatic thyroid nodule as the reference case. Probabilities were defined based on review of the pediatric and adult literature. Costs were determined from previous literature and the publicly available Medicare physician fee schedule. Tornado plot and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess sources of cost variation. RESULTS: Using decision analysis, FNA was less costly than DL with an estimated cost of $2529 vs. $5680. Tornado analysis demonstrated that the probability of an initial indeterminate FNA result contributed most to cost variation. On sensitivity analysis, when probability of an indeterminate FNA result was increased to 35%, the maximum value found in the literature, FNA remained less costly. In Monte Carlo simulation set to 10,000 iterations, FNA was superior to DL in 74% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this theoretical model based on available literature and costs, FNA is less costly than DL for initial diagnostic workup of thyroid nodules in children. Securing resources to offer FNA in the work-up of thyroid nodules may be financially beneficial to hospitals and patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1 cost effectiveness study - using reasonable costs and alternatives used in study with values obtained from many studies, study used multi-way sensitivity analysis.

Clinical validity and relevance of accidental puncture or laceration as a patient safety indicator for children.

PURPOSE: Accidental puncture or laceration (APL) has been endorsed as a patient safety indicator and is being used to compare hospital performance and for reimbursement. We sought to determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of APL as a quality metric in a pediatric population. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all cases that met APL administrative criteria over 5years in a quaternary pediatric hospital system. Events were categorized as false positive (FP) or true positive (TP). TP cases were further categorized as "potentially consequential" or "inconsequential". The PPV of APL was calculated, and a z-test was used to provide 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of the 238 cases identified, 204 were categorized as TP (86%; 95% CI: 80%-90%). Thirty-four of these events (17%) involved injuries that were considered "inconsequential". True events that required repair were identified as "potentially consequential" (n=170). Thus, the PPV of APL was 71% (95% CI: 65%-77%). Extenuating factors such as adhesive disease or abnormal anatomy were present in 39% of TP cases. Thirty-four cases (14%) were categorized as FP because no documented injury was found. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of APL events are either false or clinically irrelevant, thus questioning its usability as a patient safety indicator for children undergoing surgery. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Improving ultrasound for appendicitis through standardized reporting of secondary signs.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to implement a standardized US report that included secondary signs of appendicitis (SS) to facilitate accurate diagnosis of appendicitis and decrease the use of computed tomography (CT) and admissions for observation. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team implemented a quality improvement (QI) intervention in the form of a standardized US report and provided stakeholders with monthly feedback. Outcomes including report compliance, CT use, and observation admissions were compared pretemplate and posttemplate. RESULTS: We identified 387 patients in the pretemplate period and 483 patients in the posttemplate period. In the posttemplate period, the reporting of SS increased from 5.4% to 79.5% (p<0.001). Despite lower rates of appendix visualization (43.9% to 32.7%, p<0.001) with US, overall CT use (8.5% vs 7.0%, p=0.41) and the negative appendectomy rate remained stable (1.0% vs 1.0%, p=1.0). CT utilization for patients with an equivocal ultrasound and SS present decreased (36.4% vs 8.9%, p=0.002) and admissions for observations decreased (21.5% vs 15.3%, p=0.02). Test characteristics of RLQ US for appendicitis also improved in the posttemplate period. CONCLUSION: A focused QI initiative led to high compliance rates of utilizing the standardized US report and resulted in lower CT use and fewer admissions for observation. Study of a Diagnostic Test Level of Evidence: 1.