Characteristics of Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship Program Directors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rapid growth in pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) fellowships has occurred, yielding many new program directors (PDs). Characteristics of PDs have potential implications on the field. To describe characteristics (demographic, educational) and scholarly interests of PHM fellowship PDs. METHODS: We developed and distributed a 15-question, cross-sectional national survey to the PHM PDs listserv. Questions were pilot tested. The survey was open for 4 weeks with weekly reminders. Responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Fifty-six current fellowship leaders (40 PDs, 16 associate PDs [APDs]) responded, including at least 1 from 43 of 59 active PHM fellowship programs (73%). Most respondents identified as female (71%) and ≤50 years old (80%). Four (7%, n = 2 PD, 2 APD) leaders identified as underrepresented in medicine. About half (n = 31, 55.4%) completed a fellowship themselves (APDs > PDs; 87.5% vs 42.5%), and 53.5% (n = 30) had advanced nonmedical degrees (eg, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy; APDs > PDs; 62% vs 45%). Most leaders (59%, n = 33) chose multiple domains when asked to select a "primary domain of personal scholarship." Education was the most frequently selected (n = 37), followed by quality improvement (n = 29) and then clinical research (n = 19). CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirms a high percentage of women as PHM fellowship leaders and highlights the need to increase diversity. Less than half of senior PDs completed a fellowship in any specialty. Leaders report interest in multiple domains of scholarship; few focus solely on clinical research.

Factors Associated With Improved Pediatric Resuscitative Care in General Emergency Departments.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the quality of pediatric resuscitative care in general emergency departments (GEDs) and to determine hospital-level factors associated with higher quality. METHODS: Prospective observational study of resuscitative care provided to 3 in situ simulated patients (infant seizure, infant sepsis, and child cardiac arrest) by interprofessional GED teams. A composite quality score (CQS) was measured and the association of this score with modifiable and nonmodifiable hospital-level factors was explored. RESULTS: A median CQS of 62.8 of 100 (interquartile range 50.5-71.1) was noted for 287 resuscitation teams from 175 emergency departments. In the unadjusted analyses, a higher score was associated with the modifiable factor of an affiliation with a pediatric academic medical center (PAMC) and the nonmodifiable factors of higher pediatric volume and location in the Northeast and Midwest. In the adjusted analyses, a higher CQS was associated with modifiable factors of an affiliation with a PAMC and the designation of both a nurse and physician pediatric emergency care coordinator, and nonmodifiable factors of higher pediatric volume and location in the Northeast and Midwest. A weak correlation was noted between quality and pediatric readiness scores. CONCLUSIONS: A low quality of pediatric resuscitative care, measured using simulation, was noted across a cohort of GEDs. Hospital factors associated with higher quality included: an affiliation with a PAMC, designation of a pediatric emergency care coordinator, higher pediatric volume, and geographic location. A weak correlation was noted between quality and pediatric readiness scores.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Virtual Rounds on an Academic Inpatient Pediatric Unit.

OBJECTIVES: Virtual rounds enable remote participation in bedside clinical encounters. Their effects on education remain poorly characterized and limited by lack of foundational evidence establishing that this approach is welcomed among learners and educators. We assessed technical feasibility and acceptability of incorporating video conferencing into daily work rounds of pediatric residents and attending physicians. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey-based study of attending observers and pediatric residents participating in rounds both at the bedside and via video teleconferencing from September to December 2020. Participant experiences were assessed and summarized using parametric Likert-type questions regarding technical issues, efficiency, educational experience, and engagement. Associations between technical aspects and individual perceptions of virtual rounds and self-reported engagement were also measured. RESULTS: Of 75 encounters, 29% experienced technical issues, 45% of which were attributable to a low-quality tablet stand. Negative impacts of virtual rounding on efficiency were reported in 6% of responses. Virtual participants were engaged (70%) and reported educational value for 65% of encounters. Comfort with virtually asking questions (odds ratio 3.3; 95% confidence interval 2.0-5.7) and performing clinical tasks for other patients (odds ratio 0.42; 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.9) were associated with engagement (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual participation in rounds was technically feasible and maintained educational value and engagement for residents in the majority of encounters, without sacrificing efficiency. Even as restrictions from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic are lifted, this rounding model has many important applications, including increasing educational opportunities for remote learners and making multidisciplinary rounds more accessible.

Performance Characteristics of a Machine-Learning Tool to Predict 7-Day Hospital Readmissions.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an institutional machine-learning (ML) tool that utilizes demographic, socioeconomic, and medical information to stratify risk for 7-day readmission after hospital discharge; assess the validity and reliability of the tool; and demonstrate its discriminatory capacity to predict readmissions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a combined single-center, cross-sectional, and prospective study of pediatric hospitalists assessing the face and content validity of the developed readmission ML tool. The cross-sectional analyses used data from questionnaire Likert scale responses regarding face and content validity. Prospectively, we compared the discriminatory capacity of provider readmission risk versus the ML tool to predict 7-day readmissions assessed via area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 80% (15 of 20) of hospitalists reported being somewhat to very confident with their ability to accurately predict readmission risk; 53% reported that an ML tool would influence clinical decision-making (face validity). The ML tool variable exhibiting the highest content validity was history of previous 7-day readmission. Prospective provider assessment of risk of 413 discharges showed minimal agreement with the ML tool (κ = 0.104 [95% confidence interval 0.028-0.179]). Both provider gestalt and ML calculations poorly predicted 7-day readmissions (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.67 vs 0.52; P = .11). CONCLUSIONS: An ML tool for predicting 7-day hospital readmissions after discharge from the general pediatric ward had limited face and content validity among pediatric hospitalists. Both provider and ML-based determinations of readmission risk were of limited discriminatory value. Before incorporating similar tools into real-time discharge planning, model calibration efforts are needed.

Diagnosis, management, and outcomes of pediatric tracheostomy-associated infections: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Children with tracheostomy are frequently admitted to the hospital for tracheostomy-associated respiratory infections (TRAINs). However, there remains a paucity of evidence to direct the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of TRAINs. An important first step to addressing this knowledge gap is to synthesize existing data regarding TRAINs to inform current practice and facilitate innovation. DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science from inception to October 2020. Original research articles and published abstracts including children and young adults 0-21 years of age with tracheostomy were included. Included studies assessed the clinical definitions of and risk factors for TRAINs, microbiologic epidemiology and colonization of tracheostomies, and treatment and outcomes of TRAINs. DATA SYNTHESIS: Out of 5755 studies identified in the search, 78 full-text studies were included in the final review. A substantial number of studies focused on the detection of specific pathogens in respiratory cultures including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Several different definitions of TRAIN including clinical, microbiologic, and laboratory testing results were utilized; however, no uniform set of criteria were identified. The few studies focused on treatment and prevention of TRAIN emphasized the role of empiric antimicrobial therapy and the use of inhaled antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a growing number of research articles studying TRAINs, there is a paucity of prospective interventional trials to guide the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of respiratory disease in this vulnerable population. Future research should include studies of interventions designed to improve short- and long-term respiratory-related outcomes of children with tracheostomy.

Using simulation to increase resident comfort discussing social determinants of health.

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health (SDoH) play an important role in pediatric health outcomes. Trainees receive little to no training on how to identify, discuss and counsel families in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to determine if a simulation-based SDoH training activity would improve pediatric resident comfort with these skills. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of a curricular intervention involving simulation cases utilizing standardized patients focused on four social determinants (food insecurity, housing insecurity, barriers to accessing care, and adverse childhood experiences [ACEs]). Residents reported confidence levels with discussing each SDoH and satisfaction with the activity in a retrospective pre-post survey with five-point Likert style questions. Select residents were surveyed again 9-12 months after participation. RESULTS: 85% (33/39) of residents expressed satisfaction with the simulation activity. More residents expressed comfort discussing each SDoH after the activity (Δ% 38-47%; all p < .05), with the greatest effect noted in post-graduate-year-1 (PGY-1) participants. Improvements in comfort were sustained longitudinally during the academic year. More PGY-1 participants reported engaging in ≥ 2 conversations in a clinical setting related to food insecurity (43% vs. 5%; p = .04) and ACEs (71% vs. 20%; p = .02). DISCUSSION: Simulation led to an increased resident comfort with discussing SDoH in a clinical setting. The greatest benefit from such a curriculum is likely realized early in training. Future efforts should investigate if exposure to the simulations and increased comfort level with each topic correlate with increased likelihood to engage in these conversations in the clinical setting.

Improving Pediatric Readiness in General Emergency Departments: A Prospective Interventional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of a national interventional collaborative on pediatric readiness within general emergency departments (EDs). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter, interventional study measured pediatric readiness in general EDs before and after participation in a pediatric readiness improvement intervention. Pediatric readiness was assessed using the weighted pediatric readiness score (WPRS) on a 100-point scale. The study protocol extended over 6 months and involved 3 phases: (1) a baseline on-site assessment of pediatric readiness and simulated quality of care; (2) pediatric readiness interventions; and (3) a follow-up on-site assessment of WPRS. The intervention phase included a benchmarking performance report, resources toolkits, and ongoing interactions between general EDs and academic medical centers. RESULTS: Thirty-six general EDs were enrolled, and 34 (94%) completed the study. Four EDs (11%) were located in Canada, and the rest were in the US. The mean improvement in WPRS was 16.3 (P < .001) from a baseline of 62.4 (SEM = 2.2) to 78.7 (SEM = 2.1), with significant improvement in the domains of administration/coordination of care; policies, protocol, and procedures; and quality improvement. Six EDs (17%) were fully adherent to the protocol timeline. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a collaborative intervention model including simulation and quality improvement initiatives is associated with improvement in WPRS when disseminated to a diverse group of general EDs partnering with their regional pediatric academic medical centers. This work provides evidence that innovative collaboration facilitated by academic medical centers can serve as an effective strategy to improve pediatric readiness and processes of care.

Otitis Media Module in the Pediatric Preclerkship Educational Exercises (PRECEDE) Curriculum.

Introduction: The Johns Hopkins Pediatrics Clerkship developed the PRECEDE (preclerkship educational exercises) curriculum with the primary goal of offering students formative instruction in essential pediatric clinical skills to prepare them for their clerkship. PRECEDE sessions occur at the beginning of each basic clerkship for new clinical clerkship students. The otitis media module is one in a series of modules presented in the curriculum and consists of a lecture and four short skills-development stations, each with a faculty facilitator. Methods: This 2-hour module began with a 1-hour didactic overview of otitis media. Medical students were divided into three groups. One group learned about writing prescriptions via two otitis media clinical vignettes. Another group explored visualization and diagnosis of otitis media via video. The last student group was subdivided and learned proper techniques for positioning and restraining pediatric patients during otoscopic exams and the psychomotor skills for performing otoscopic examinations, including pneumatic otoscopy. Student groups rotated through all four activity stations. Students were guided through discussion to develop interpretation, diagnostic, and treatment skills for acute otitis media. Results: Between 2010 and 2012, 254 third- and fourth-year medical students participated in this module. When asked to evaluate overall quality, 86% of learners rated the module as excellent, and 14% rated it as good. Discussion: By establishing these important skills, students may be better equipped to develop appropriate otitis media assessments, diagnoses, and care plans for patients and to use otitis media as a platform for broad education in other essential pediatric skills.

Serum-Associated Antibiotic Tolerance in Pediatric Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

BACKGROUND: When grown in human serum, laboratory isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibit tolerance to antibiotics at inhibitory concentrations. This phenomenon, known as serum-associated antibiotic tolerance (SAT), could lead to clinical treatment failure of pseudomonal infections. Our purpose in this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical impact of SAT in Pseudomonas isolates in hospitalized children. METHODS: The SAT phenotype was assessed in patients aged <18 years admitted with respiratory or blood cultures positive for P. aeruginosa. The SAT phenotype was a priori defined as a ≥2-log increase in colony-forming units when grown in human serum compared with Luria-Bertani medium in the presence of minocycline or tobramycin. RESULTS: SAT was detected in 29 (64%) patients. Fourteen patients each (34%) had cystic fibrosis (CF) and tracheostomies. Patient demographics and comorbidities did not differ by SAT status. Among CF patients, SAT was associated with longer duration of intravenous antibiotics (10 days vs 5 days; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes that SAT exists in P. aeruginosa from human serum and may be a novel factor that contributes to differences in clinical outcomes. Future research should investigate the mechanisms that contribute to SAT in order to identify novel targets for adjunctive antimicrobial therapies.

The evolution of graduate medical education over the past decade: Building a new pediatric residency program in an era of innovation.

AIM: In 2011, Johns Hopkins Medicine integrated with All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg Florida to create an academic campus nearly 1000 miles from Baltimore. In 2014, the newly named Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital established a new pediatric residency program. At that time, the Association for Graduate Medical Education had not accredited a new pediatric program in the USA in over 10 years. METHODS: A unique set of circumstances provided an opportunity for program developers to build the residency under newly identified core tenets to create a number of innovative features targeted to address the many calls for change in graduate medical education. RESULTS: This paper focuses on three of those innovations and demonstrates how they address the many challenges introduced by the changing landscape of graduate medical education. CONCLUSION: Although a full evaluation of our program is only possible after many years, this article presents the core tenets which guided curricular development and discusses our experiences thus far. We provide lessons learned for programs considering similar innovations.

Safety Threats During the Care of Infants with Hypoglycemic Seizures in the Emergency Department: A Multicenter, Simulation-Based Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Errors in the timely diagnosis and treatment of infants with hypoglycemic seizures can lead to significant patient harm. It is challenging to precisely measure medical errors that occur during high-stakes/low-frequency events. Simulation can be used to assess risk and identify errors. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that general emergency departments (GEDs) would have higher rates of deviations from best practices (errors) compared to pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) when managing an infant with hypoglycemic seizures. METHODS: This multicenter simulation-based prospective cohort study was conducted in GEDs and PEDs. In situ simulation was used to measure deviations from best practices during management of an infant with hypoglycemic seizures by inter-professional teams. Seven variables were measured: five nonpharmacologic (i.e., delays in airway assessment, checking dextrose, starting infusion, verbalizing disposition) and two pharmacologic (incorrect dextrose dose and incorrect dextrose concentration). The primary aim was to describe and compare the frequency and types of errors between GEDs and PEDs. RESULTS: Fifty-eight teams from 30 hospitals (22 GEDs, 8 PEDs) were enrolled. Pharmacologic errors occurred more often in GEDs compared to PEDs (p = 0.043), while nonpharmacologic errors were uncommon in both groups. Errors more frequent in GEDs related to incorrect dextrose concentration (60% vs. 88%; p = 0.025), incorrect dose (20% vs. 56%; p = 0.033), and failure to start maintenance dextrose (33% vs. 65%; p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: During the simulated care of an infant with hypoglycemic seizures, errors were more frequent in GEDs compared to PEDs. Decreasing annual pediatric patient volume was the best predictor of errors on regression analysis.

Faces of all clinically engaged staff: a quality improvement project that enhances the hospitalised patient experience.

BACKGROUND: Patients often cannot recognise the names and faces of providers involved in their hospital care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether photographs of a patient's providers (physicians and ancillary support staff) using the FACES (Faces of All Clinically Engaged Staff) instrument would increase recognition of the healthcare team, improve the perception of teamwork, and enhance patient satisfaction. METHODS: Cluster randomised controlled trial with patients admitted to four adult internal medicine services of an urban, tertiary care hospital. Patients randomly admitted to two services received the FACES instrument, while the remainder served as control. Study measurements included the proportion of patients able to recognise their care providers by photograph, name and role, as well as patient rating of communication among healthcare team members and their satisfaction with the hospital experience as assessed by a survey. RESULTS: A total of 197 of the 322 (61.2%) patients screened for participation proved eligible for the study. Key exclusion criteria included cognitive or visual impairment and non-fluency with English. Patients receiving the FACES instrument recognised more provider names, faces and roles than controls (all P<.001). The intervention group more strongly agreed with statements that healthcare providers communicated frequently and effectively with each other (68% vs 52%, P=.02), and worked well together (69% vs 53%, P=.02). When rating their satisfaction with the hospital experience, 50% of patients in the intervention group assigned the highest possible rating, compared with 36% of control (P=.06). LIMITATIONS: Nursing staff, although integral to healthcare teams, were not included in the FACES instrument due to privacy concerns. CONCLUSIONS: The FACES instrument improved patients' recognition of providers' names and roles, as well as patients' perception of inter-provider teamwork. There was a non-significant trend towards improved satisfaction.

Disparities in Adherence to Pediatric Sepsis Guidelines across a Spectrum of Emergency Departments: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Observational In Situ Simulation Study.

BACKGROUND: Each year in the United States, 72,000 pediatric patients develop septic shock, at a cost of $4.8 billion. Adherence to practice guidelines can significantly reduce mortality; however, few methods to compare performance across a spectrum of emergency departments (EDs) have been described. OBJECTIVES: We employed standardized, in situ simulations to measure and compare adherence to pediatric sepsis guidelines across a spectrum of EDs. We hypothesized that pediatric EDs (PEDs) would have greater adherence to the guidelines than general EDs (GEDs). We also explored factors associated with improved performance. METHODS: This multi-center observational study examined in situ teams caring for a simulated infant in septic shock. The primary outcome was overall adherence to the pediatric sepsis guideline as measured by six subcomponent metrics. Characteristics of teams were compared using multivariable logistic regression to describe factors associated with improved performance. RESULTS: We enrolled 47 interprofessional teams from 24 EDs. Overall, 21/47 teams adhered to all six sepsis metrics (45%). PEDs adhered to all six metrics more than GEDs (93% vs. 22%; difference 71%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 43-84). Adherent teams had significantly higher Emergency Medical Services for Children readiness scores, MD composition of physicians to total team members, teamwork scores, provider perceptions of pediatric preparedness, and provider perceptions of sepsis preparedness. In a multivariable regression model, only greater composite team experience had greater adjusted odds of achieving an adherent sepsis score (adjusted odds ratio 1.38, 95% CI 1.01-1.88). CONCLUSIONS: Using standardized in situ scenarios, we revealed high variability in adherence to the pediatric sepsis guideline across a spectrum of EDs. PEDs demonstrated greater adherence to the guideline than GEDs; however, in adjusted analysis, only composite team experience level of the providers was associated with improved guideline adherence.