Developing Standardized "Receiver-Driven" Handoffs Between Referring Providers and the Emergency Department: Results of a Multidisciplinary Needs Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Miscommunication during patient transfers is a leading cause of medical errors. Inpatient standardization of handoff communication has been associated with reduced medical errors, but less is known about best practices for handoffs from referring providers to the emergency department (ED). The study aims were to identify (1) stakeholder perceptions of current handoff processes and (2) key handoff elements and strategies to optimize patient care on transfer. METHODS: A mixed-methods needs assessment study was conducted at a tertiary care children's hospital with a communication center that receives verbal handoff via telephone from referring providers and provides written summary to the ED. ED, primary care providers, and communication center staff were surveyed to understand perceptions of handoff processes and ideal handoff elements. Focus groups were conducted to refine concepts. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and qualitative content analysis were used to analyze responses. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 129/152 providers (85%). Forty-two percent of respondents described the quality of the handoff process as "very good" or "excellent"; 43% reported miscommunication occurring "sometimes" or "frequently." Within the I-PASS framework-Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation awareness and contingency planning, and Synthesis by receiver-respondents identified 10 key elements to obtain through a receiver-driven process to optimize care on transfer. Free-text responses revealed a perceived need to standardize communication. CONCLUSION: A minority of providers perceived handoff quality between outpatient practices and the ED as "very good" or "excellent"; almost half perceived regular miscommunication. A receiver-driven process is a novel approach that may help ensure standardized communication of key handoff elements in this context.

Infrastructure Availability for the Care of Congenital Heart Disease Patients and Its Influence on Case Volume, Complexity and Access Among Healthcare Institutions in 17 Middle-Income Countries.

The care for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) is multi-disciplinary and resource intensive. There is limited information about the infrastructure available among programs that care for CHD patients in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). A survey covering the entire care-pathway for CHD, from initial assessment to inpatient care and outpatient follow-up, was administered to institutions participating in the International Quality Improvement Collaborative for Congenital Heart Disease (IQIC). Surgical case complexity-mix was collected from the IQIC registry and estimated surgical capacity requirement was based on population data. The statistical association of selected infrastructure with case volume, case-complexity and percentage of estimated case-burden actually treated, was analyzed. Thirty-seven healthcare institutions in seventeen countries with median annual surgical volume of 361 (41-3503) operations completed the survey. There was a median of two (1-16) operating room/s (OR), nine (2-80) intensive care unit (ICU) beds, three (1-20) cardiac surgeons, five (3-30) OR nurses, four (2-35) anesthesiologists, four (1-25) perfusionists, 28 (5-194) ICU nurses, six (0-30) cardiologists and three (1-15) interventional cardiologists. Higher surgical volume was associated with higher OR availability (p = 0.007), number of surgeons (p = 0.002), OR nurses (0.008), anesthesiologists (p = 0.04), perfusionists (p = 0.001), ICU nurses (p < 0.001), years of experience of the most senior surgeon (p = 0.03) or cardiologist (p = 0.05), and ICU bed capacity (p = 0.001). Location in an upper-middle income country (P = 0.04), OR availability (p = 0.02), and number of cardiologists (p = 0.004) were associated with performing a higher percentage of complex cases. This study demonstrates an overall deficit in the infrastructure available for the care of CHD patients among the participating institutions. While there is considerable variation across institutions surveyed, deficits in infrastructure that requires long-term investment like operating rooms, intensive care capacity, and availability of trained staff, are associated with reduced surgical capacity and access to CHD care.

An Investigation of Drug-Drug Interaction Alert Overrides at a Pediatric Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can result in patient harm. DDI alerts are intended to help prevent harm; when the majority of alerts presented to providers are being overridden, their value is diminished. Our objective was to evaluate the overall rates of DDI alert overrides and how rates varied by specialty, clinician type, and patient complexity. METHODS: A retrospective study of DDI alert overrides that occurred during 2012 and 2013 within the inpatient setting described at the medication-, hospital-, provider-, and patient encounter-specific levels was performed at an urban, quaternary-care, pediatric hospital. RESULTS: There were >41 000 DDI alerts presented to clinicians; ∼90% were overridden. The 5 DDI pairs that were most frequently presented and overridden included the following: potassium chloride-spironolactone, methadone-ondansetron, ketorolac-ibuprofen, cyclosporine-fluconazole, and potassium chloride-enalapril, each with an alert override rate of ≥0.89. Override rates across provider groups ranged between 0.84 and 0.97. In general, patients with high complexity had a higher frequency of alert overrides, but the rates of alert overrides for each DDI pairing did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of DDI alert overrides occur across medications, provider groups, and patient encounters. Methods to decrease DDI alerts which are likely to be overridden exist, but it is also clear that more robust and intelligent tools are needed. Characteristics exist at the medication, hospital, provider, and patient levels that can be used to help specialize and enhance information transmission.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Eczema Care Plan.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether an eczema care plan (ECP) would improve provider documentation and management, decrease eczema severity, and increase patient quality of life (QOL) in the pediatric primary care setting. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial from June 2015 to September 2016 at a large hospital-based pediatric primary care clinic. Participants included children from 1 month to 16 years of age with a diagnosis of eczema. The intervention group received the ECP and the control group received usual care. Both groups completed a validated eczema severity scale (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure [POEM]) and a QOL scale (Infant's Dermatitis Quality of Life Index [IDQOL]) or Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index [CDLQI]) before the visit and again ~1 month later. RESULTS: A total of 211 caregivers completed both the pre- and postintervention surveys (100 control group and 111 intervention group [94% completion]). Intervention group providers were more likely to recommend a comprehensive "step-up" plan (88%) vs 28%; P < .001, bleach baths (45%) vs 9%; P < .001, and wet wraps (50%) vs 7%; P < .001. They were also more likely to document providing a written plan to families (80%) vs 2%; P < .001. In the intervention and control groups, eczema severity and QOL improved between the pre- and postintervention periods. However, there was not a significant difference between the groups on either measure: POEM difference -0.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.2 to 1.7; IDQOL difference -0.1, 95% CI -1.8 to 1.6; CDLQI difference 0.8, 95% CI -0.9 to 2.6. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention group providers documented more comprehensive eczema care than control group providers. Although patients improved on all measures in the postintervention period, the ECP did not augment that improvement.

Associations of Eczema Severity and Parent Knowledge With Child Quality of Life in a Pediatric Primary Care Population.

We investigated factors associated with quality of life (QOL) in children with eczema. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of survey data from 224 parents of children with eczema attending a large, hospital-based pediatric clinic. Parents completed a validated eczema severity scale (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure), a QOL scale (Infants' Dermatitis QOL Index or Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index), and a knowledge and understanding questionnaire. In adjusted multivariate analyses, worse eczema severity was associated with worse overall QOL (ß = 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.5, 0.6]), while a higher knowledge score was associated with better QOL (ß = -3.4; 95% CI = [-6.6, -0.2]). Similarly, even after adjustment for eczema severity, greater understanding of a child's individual treatment plan was associated with better QOL (ß = -0.7; 95% CI = [-1.4, -0.08]), while increased frequency of worrying about a child's eczema was associated with worse QOL (ß = 0.7; 95% CI = [0.03, 1.1]). These results suggest primary care providers may be able to influence QOL through optimal eczema management and family education.

Hospital Variation in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Incidence, Treatment Modalities, Resource Use, and Costs Across Pediatric Hospitals in the United States, 2013 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: The national incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has increased with the opioid epidemic in the United States. The impact of pharmacologic treatment on hospital use is not well established. We examined the recent population of neonates with NAS admitted to pediatric hospitals, hospital variation in pharmacologic treatment, and the effect of treatment on resource use during neonatal hospitalization, including length of stay (LOS), readmission, and cost-of-living adjusted hospital costs. METHODS: We included inpatients discharged between January 2013 and March 2016 from hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System. We compared neonates with NAS to those without on demographic, socioeconomic, clinical characteristics and hospital resource use. We also compared neonates with NAS on these characteristics by pharmacologic treatment. RESULTS: This analysis included 136 762 neonatal encounters from 23 hospitals. Of these, 2% had a diagnosis of NAS. Compared with other neonates, neonates with NAS had a longer LOS (18.7 vs 2.9 days; P = .004). Average costs per admission were 10 times higher for neonates with NAS ($37 584 vs $3536; P = .003). Of neonates with NAS, 70% were treated pharmacologically with wide variation in hospital rates of pharmacotherapy (range: 13%-90%). Pharmacologically-treated neonates with NAS experienced a longer LOS (22.0 vs 10.9 days; P = .004) than other neonates with NAS. Total costs for pharmacologically-treated neonates with NAS were over 2 times higher ($44 720 vs $20 708; P = .002) than neonates with NAS treated without pharmacotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Neonates with NAS, particularly those treated pharmacologically, have lengthier, more expensive hospital stays. Significant variation in pharmacologic treatment reflects opportunities for practice standardization and substantial reductions in resource use.

Innovative Discharge Process for Families with Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome: A Prospective Nonrandomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a life-sustaining therapy for short bowel syndrome (SBS) and other severe digestive diseases, but complications are common. We evaluated a predischarge HPN hands-on training course to reduce complications in children with SBS, including hospital readmissions. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, nonrandomized controlled research study between April 1, 2014, and April 30, 2017. Eligible participants were children aged <18 years old with SBS and anticipated HPN dependence duration ≥6 months. Excluded participants had a previous history of discharge with a central venous catheter (CVC), HPN, or intravenous fluids or strictly palliative goals of care. An intervention group practiced hands-on HPN within the hospital room for 24 hours using infusion equipment. The groups received standard teaching (CVC care, home infusion pump operation, HPN preparation and administration). RESULTS: Nine children were assigned to the intervention group and 12 served as controls. The median age was 8.4 months, and length of stay (LOS) was 82 days. All participants experienced ≥1 event, with a total of 47 issues related to HPN. There were no significant associations between group assignment and 30-day postdischarge events. Each additional week of LOS was associated with 11% increase in the odds of an emergency department visit (OR 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.26) and 16% increase in the odds of readmission (OR 1.16; 95% CI, 1.04-1.37). CONCLUSIONS: Postdischarge events remained widespread despite HPN bedside interventions offered by this pilot intervention. With refinement of HPN discharge processes, quality benchmarks are needed.

Advancing the Measurement of Care Coordination in Pediatric Behavioral Health.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the measure review and evaluation process used to identify new measures of care coordination for children with behavioral health needs conducted as part of Massachusetts' Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act Quality Demonstration Grant. METHOD: The Massachusetts Child Health Quality Coalition identified a shortage of pediatric measures of care coordination in behavioral health. After an extensive literature review, the Measure Development Committee applied the Care Coordination Key Elements Framework (Framework), which was designed as part of the grant work, and used a modified RAND Delphi method to conduct feasibility and validity evaluation and propose the new candidate measures for further rigorous testing. RESULTS: Thirty-two measures were evaluated. One existing Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set and 8 newly proposed measures met the criteria for feasibility and reliability. These measures represented each of the key elements contained in the Framework. The measures need further testing to ensure scientific acceptability and wide usability. CONCLUSION: A multipronged methodology was used to propose measures of care coordination in the space of pediatric behavioral health to fill the identified gaps in existing measures.

Perceived efficiency impacts following electronic health record implementation: an exploratory study of an urban community health center network.

PURPOSE: Faced with an increasingly complex patient population and growing demand for services, community health centers (CHCs) are recognizing that electronic health records (EHRs) may help their efforts to improve efficiency in care delivery. Yet little is known about the benefits, challenges, and specific impacts of EHR implementation in the often resource-constrained CHC environment, especially from users' perspectives. The objective of this study was to explore EHR users' perspectives about the EHR implementation process and impact in a CHC network. METHODS: We performed an exploratory case study following EHR implementation in a multi-site, urban CHC network. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 39 key informants across four sites. Key informants included physicians, clinical staff and administrators. We used both deductive and inductive approaches to code the transcribed interview data and to identify themes in our analyses. RESULTS: A key theme that emerged involved perceptions of efficiency related to the EHR implementation. While the EHR was widely credited with improving the efficiency of several clinical processes (e.g., lab ordering), it also created new challenges. Some of the early efficiency challenges we identified were common to EHR implementation in general (e.g., system interface issues), but others were unique to the CHC context (e.g., issues related to compliance with complex regulatory and reporting requirements). Further, constrained organizational resources for training and ongoing IT support were widely noted as challenges that may have exacerbated, or precluded early resolution of, efficiency issues. While limited to a single CHC network, our findings highlight important issues for CHCs to consider about EHRs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that CHCs face difficult and often unique barriers related to EHR implementation and use, and the resultant efficiency impacts should not be overlooked.

Moving from good to great in ambulatory electronic health record implementation.

Despite a good general understanding of the need to ensure provider adoption and use of electronic health record (EHR) systems, many implementations fall short of expectations, and little is known about effective approaches in the ambulatory care area. We aimed to comprehensively study and synthesize best practices for ambulatory EHR system implementation in healthcare organizations, emphasizing strategies that maximize physician adoption and use. Following an extensive literature review, we held 47 key informant interviews with representatives of six U.S. healthcare organizations purposively selected based on reported success with ambulatory EHR system implementation. We interviewed both administrative and clinical informants in order to improve our understanding of ambulatory EHR implementation from both perspectives. We found that while all 6 sites studied were reported to have strong EHR implementation practices, we were able to characterize "good" versus "great" approaches across the sites. Specifically, "great" implementations included a key element focused on optimization and improvement over time that helped healthcare organizations support physician adoption and use of the EHR system. The "great" implementation approaches we saw also included explicit considerations of improved data capture and quality of care in their focus on optimization in order to maximize the value of the EHR.