Improving treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy and postpartum using a hypertensive pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the implementation of an antihypertensive pathway order set to improve treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy and the postpartum period in the inpatient setting. STUDY DESIGN: A multi-disciplinary task force created a hypertensive pathway order set and provided staff training. The order set allowed providers to initiate a treatment algorithm, which then gave nurses guidelines to recheck blood pressures and progressively increase short-acting antihypertensive dosage if needed. Pregnant and postpartum patients documented to have ≥2 consecutive severe range blood pressures in the year prior (2017) and the year after (2019) implementation of the pathway were included. Primary outcomes included whether any antihypertensive was given, whether it was given for all instances of severe hypertension, and time to antihypertensive administration. RESULTS: A total of 566 patients with severe hypertension were included-304 in the pre-implementation year and 262 in the post-implementation year. Significantly more patients received an antihypertensive at least once (67 % versus 80 %, p < 0.01) and for all instances of severe hypertension (29 % versus 47 %, p < 0.01) in the post-intervention cohort. There was a significant improvement in time to antihypertensive administration (24 versus 10 min, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study evaluates the efficacy of an antihypertensive intervention in the Southeast United States, which is particularly significant given the region's higher rates of hypertension and hypertension-related mortality. This study provides confirmatory evidence that implementation of a standardized order set along with measuring compliance and staff education is associated with improved treatment rates and time to treatment administration.

Reducing non-surgical readmissions on a gynecologic oncology service.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a quality improvement (QI) initiative designed to reduce non-surgical readmissions on a gynecologic oncology service. METHODS: A two-phase QI initiative was implemented on an inpatient gynecologic oncology service to reduce non-surgical 30-day readmissions. Phase 1, from July 2018 to June 2020, included trainee education, frequent physical therapy consultation, pharmacy discharge medication review, 72-h post-discharge telephone call, and standardized 10-day clinic follow-up after discharge. Phase 2, from July 2020 to December 2020, incorporated a nurse practitioner to perform discharge navigation and arrange outpatient follow-up. The incidence of non-surgical readmissions during these phases was compared to that of a baseline period (July 2017-June 2018). We also assessed readmissions to identify common indications and evaluate potential demographic and clinical risk factors. RESULTS: Of 390 total non-surgical gynecologic oncology admissions, 100 were readmitted within 30 days (25.6%). Gastrointestinal tract (GI) obstruction, malignancy-associated pain and infection were the most common symptomatic diagnoses at the index admission, and 30% of readmitted patients had an identical indication for readmission. Compared to the baseline period, we observed a reduction in non-surgical readmissions from 34.1% to 22.6% in Phase 1 and to 18.9% in Phase 2 (p < 0.03) based on internal review, and a reduction from 13.9% to 11.9% in Phase 1 and to 4.7% in Phase 2 (p = 0.04) based on healthcare performance tracking data. CONCLUSIONS: 30-day hospital readmission among non-surgical gynecologic oncology patients is common. Implementation of a multifaceted readmissions reduction QI initiative significantly improved readmission rates.

Promoting timely goals of care conversations between gynecologic cancer patients at high-risk of death and their providers.

OBJECTIVE: We designed a multi-faceted intervention to increase the rate of outpatient goals of care (GOC) conversations in women with gynecologic cancers who are at high-risk of death. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A multidisciplinary team developed an educational program around GOC conversations at end-of-life and chose criteria to prospectively identify patients at high-risk of death who might benefit from timely GOC conversations: recurrent or metastatic endometrial, cervical or vulvar cancer or platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Gynecologic oncology provider consensus was built regarding the need to improve the quality and timing of GOC conversations. Eligible outpatients were prospectively identified and providers alerted pre-encounter; timely GOC documentation within 3 visits of high-risk identification was tracked. Our institution concurrently and subsequently tracked GOC documentation during the last 6 months of life among all established oncology patients. RESULTS: Of 220 pilot period high-risk patients (96 pre- and 124 during pilot period 2017-2018), timely GOC discussion documentation increased from 30.2% to 88.7% (p < 0.001) and this increase was sustained over time. In the post-pilot period (2019-2020), among patients seen by oncologists during last 6 months of life, compared to other cancer types, gynecologic cancer patients had a higher rate of GOC documentation (81% versus 9%; p < 0.001), a lower rate of receiving chemotherapy during the last 14 days of life (2% vs 5%; p = 0.051), and no difference in end-of-life admissions (29% vs 31%; p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of systematic outpatient identification of high-risk gynecologic oncology patients is feasible, sustainable, and increases the timely conduct of GOC conversations.

A quality improvement initiative to reduce venous thromboembolism on a gynecologic oncology service.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate the effects of implementation of a venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis quality improvement (QI) initiative on a gynecologic oncology service at a single institution. METHODS: Prior to 2018, no consensus gynecologic oncology VTE prophylaxis protocol existed at the authors' academic institution. Published, evidence-based guidelines were reviewed to create a standardized VTE risk stratification algorithm. Interventions to improve perioperative heparin administration and sequential compression device (SCD) compliance as well as provider/patient education efforts were introduced in January 2018. Initial efforts included nursing and patient SCD education, internal dissemination of VTE prophylaxis guidelines, and creation of a VTE 'dashboard' to track performance. During a second phase, VTE prophylaxis guidelines were reviewed and further refined, non-compliant operative cases reviewed weekly, and guidelines incorporated into the electronic medical record. Performance was measured using Tableau data software (www.tableau.com) and by separately evaluating adherence to the developed guidelines in three retrospective cancer-enriched surgical cohorts (2016-2017, 2018, 2019). RESULTS: Compared to the baseline period, we observed a reduction in VTE rate during the 2018-2019 VTE QI implementation period from 2.1% (19/905) to 1.0% (20/2015, p = 0.02) among gynecologic oncology inpatients. In the retrospective cancer-enriched cohorts, adherence to evidence based guidelines improved: 31.0% in 2016-2017, 69.1% in 2018, and 82.4% in 2019 (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of peri-operative blood transfusion, surgical site infections, hematomas, or vaginal cuff dehiscences. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a robust VTE prophylaxis QI initiative has resulted in improved VTE prophylaxis guideline adherence and higher rates of pre-operative heparin administration.

Universal screening for Lynch syndrome in uterine cancer patients: A quality improvement initiative.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a quality improvement initiative (QI) to adopt universal screening for Lynch syndrome in uterine cancer patients at an institution that previously employed age-based screening. METHODS: Prior to the initiative, tumors of patients with uterine cancer diagnosed at age ≤ 60 years were screened for mismatch repair deficiency (MMR) and microsatellite instability (MSI). The QI process change model adopted universal testing of all uterine cancer specimens and implemented provider training, standardized documentation, and enhanced use of the electronic medical record (EMR). We compared screening rates, results of screening, follow up of abnormal results, and final diagnoses from the pre- and post-implementation periods. RESULTS: Pre- and post-implementation screening rates for women age ≤ 60 years at the time of diagnosis were 45/78 (57.7%) and 64/68 (94.5%), respectively. The screening rate for all patients with uterine cancer increased from 73/190 (38.4%) to 172/182 (94.5%). The rate of abnormal screening results increased from 15/190 (7.9%) to 44/182 (24.0%) cases. Genetics referral rates among screen positives increased from 3/15 (20.0%) to 16/44 (36.4%). Germline diagnoses increased from 2/190 (1.1%) with two Lynch syndrome diagnoses to 4/182 (2.2%) including three Lynch syndrome diagnoses and one BRCA1 germline diagnosis. The number of patients errantly not screened decreased from at least 32 patients to 3 patients after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to screening guidelines significantly improved after interventions involving provider education, optimal use of the EMR, and simplification of screening indications. These interventions are feasible at other institutions and translatable to other screening indications.

Evaluation of nurse accuracy in rating procedural pain among pediatric burn patients using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Scale.

BACKGROUND: Accurate pain assessment is essential for proper analgesia during medical procedures in pediatric patients. The Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale has previously been shown to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing pediatric procedural pain in research labs. However, no study has investigated how rater factors (gender, number of dressing changes performed/week, burn history, having children, nursing experience, stress at home/work) and patient factors (pain intensity) affect the accuracy of FLACC ratings for procedural pain when implemented by bedside care providers. METHOD: Twenty-four nurses in an ABA verified Pediatric Burn Center watched four videos of dressing changes for pediatric burn patients in random order three times and rated the children's procedural pain using the FLACC scale. The four videos had standard FLACC scores established by an interdisciplinary panel. RESULTS: Descriptive and mixed modeling analysis was conducted to explore nurse rating accuracy and to evaluate the rater and patient factors that influenced the rating accuracy. The highest accuracy was reached when rating high procedural pain (with a FLACC of 6). Nurses underrated both mild and severe procedural pain. Nurses who had less nursing experience demonstrated significantly higher accuracy than those with more experience. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first study in the literature to systematically examine the factors influencing the accuracy of FLACC rating for pediatric procedural pain among bedside care providers. The findings suggest that nurse clinical experience and patient pain intensity are two significant contributors to rating accuracy.

Implementation of a pediatric surgical quality improvement (QI)-driven M&M conference.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The M&M conference at Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) categorized failures as technical error or patient disease, but failure modes were never captured, action items rarely assigned, and follow-up rarely completed. In 2013 a QI-driven M&M conference was developed, supporting implementation of directed actions to improve quality of care. METHODS: A classification was developed to enhance analysis of complications. Each complication was analyzed for identification of failure modes with subcategorization of root cause, a level of preventability assigned, and action items designated. Failure determinations from 11/2013-10/2014 were reviewed to evaluate the distribution of failure modes and action items. RESULTS: Two-hundred thirty-seven patients with complications were reviewed. One-hundred thirty patients had complications attributed to patient disease with no individual or system failure identified, whereas 107 patients had identifiable failures. Eighty-five patients had one failure identified, and 22 patients had multiple failures identified. Of the 142 failures identified in 107 patients, 112 (78.9%) were individual failures, and 30 (21.1%) were system failures. One-hundred forty-seven action items were implemented including education initiatives, establishing criteria for interdisciplinary consultation, resolving equipment inadequacies, removing high risk medications from formulary, restructuring physician handoffs, and individual practitioner counseling/training. CONCLUSIONS: Development of a QI-driven M&M conference allowed us to categorize complications beyond surgical or patient disease categories, ensuring added focus on system solutions and a reliable accountability structure to ensure implementation of assigned interventions intended to address failures. This may lead to improvement in the processes of patient care.

Postoperative timing of computed tomography scans for abscess in pediatric appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: One-quarter to one half of pediatric appendicitis patients present with ruptured appendicitis and about 3%-25% go on to form postoperative intra-abdominal abscesses. The optimal timing of postoperative imaging for suspected abscess formation has been a subject of debate. METHODS: All patients who underwent appendectomy for complex appendicitis and were not discharged before postoperative day (POD) #5 from April 2012-October 2014 were identified. Patients were stratified into groups for comparison as follows: group 1 had postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans before POD#7 (n = 26) and group 2 did not (n = 169). Group 2 was further divided into those who were afebrile (group 2a, n = 106) or febrile (group 2b, n = 63) at POD#5. RESULTS: A total of 195 patients met criteria. Early use of CT scans resulted in more drainage procedures (group 1, 73.1% versus group 2b, 28.6%, P < 0.001) and a higher recurrent CT scan rate (38.5% versus 9.5%). The groups had equivalent lengths of stay (11.9 versus 9.8 d, P = 0.10) and readmission rates due to abscesses (19.2% group 1 versus 6.3%, group 2b, P = 0.12) with no septic events. In total, 130 of the 169 patients (76.9%) in group 2 had resolution of symptoms before discharge without intervention with readmission for abscess in only 5.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Waiting until POD#7 before scanning led to fewer drainage procedures and recurrent CT scans without increasing length of stay or readmission rates. Most complex appendicitis patients still admitted at POD#5 had resolution of symptoms without need for intervention.

Improving Quality and Efficiency for Intussusception Management After Successful Enema Reduction.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this project was to implement a protocol facilitating discharge from the emergency department (ED) after successful radiologic ileocolic intussusception reduction in a pediatric referral center. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team identified drivers for successful quality improvement including educational brochures, a standardized radiologic report, an observation period in the ER with oral hydration challenges, and follow-up phone calls the day after discharge. Patient outcomes were tracked, and quarterly feedback was provided. RESULTS: Of 80 patients identified over a 24-month period, 34 (42.5%) did not qualify for discharge home due to need for surgical intervention (n = 9), specific radiologic findings (n = 11), need for additional intravenous hydration (n = 4), or other reasons (n = 7). Of 46 patients who qualified for discharge, 30 (65.2%) were successfully sent home from the ED. One patient returned with recurrent symptoms that required repeat enema reduction. Sixteen patients were observed and discharged within 23 hours. Adherence with discharge from the ED improved over time. Discharge from the ED was associated with cost savings and improved net margins at the hospital level for each encounter. CONCLUSIONS: A sustainable multidisciplinary quality improvement project to discharge intussusception patients from the ED after air-contrast enema reduction was successfully integrated in a high-volume referral center through education, standardized radiologic reporting, and protocoled follow-up.

Using quality improvement methods to change surgical practice: a case example of pediatric soft-tissue abscesses.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatments of soft-tissue abscesses (STAs) include packing and ring drain (RD) and straight drain (SD) placement. Potential benefits of SDs include a single incision, less scarring, and no need for a follow-up appointment. We used a multidisciplinary quality improvement (QI) process to promote surgeon adoption of an STA drainage technique to improve efficiency and quality of care. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Outcome measures included the proportion of STAs drained using SDs, the number of postoperative clinic visits, the proportion of patients requiring follow-up with a pediatric surgeon and other providers, and the postoperative complication rate, defined as need for an additional drainage procedure. RESULTS: After beginning the QI initiative, the proportion of STAs drained by SDs increased from 23% to 78% (P < .00001) and the proportion of patients requiring a surgical follow-up clinic appointment decreased from 71% to 32% (P < .00001). The mean number of surgical clinic visits per patient decreased from 0.79 to 0.39 visits per patient (P < .00001). Complication rates were similar between drain types (RD: 2.4%; SD: 1.7%; P = .57). This QI initiative produced a rapid sustained shift in surgeon practice with increased use of SDs, decreased number of follow-up visits, and no increase in complications.

Development and implementation of an electronic health record generated surgical handoff and rounding tool.

Electronic health records (EHR) have been adopted across the nation at tremendous effort and expense. The purpose of this study was to assess improvements in accuracy, efficiency, and patient safety for a high-volume pediatric surgical service with adoption of an EHR-generated handoff and rounding list. The quality and quantity of errors were compared pre- and post-EHR-based list implementation. A survey was used to determine time spent by team members using the two versions of the list. Perceived utility, safety, and quality of the list were reported. Serious safety events determined by the hospital were also compared for the two periods. The EHR-based list eliminated clerical errors while improving efficiency by automatically providing data such as vital signs. Survey respondents reported 43 min saved per week per team member, translating to 372 work hours of time saved annually for a single service. EHR-based list users reported higher satisfaction and perceived improvement in efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Serious safety events remained unchanged. In conclusion, creation of an EHR-based list to assist with daily handoffs, rounding, and patient management demonstrated improved accuracy, increased efficiency, and assisted in maintaining a high level of safety.

Reducing computed tomography scans for appendicitis by introduction of a standardized and validated ultrasonography report template.

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of appendicitis is associated with radiation exposure and increased cost. In an effort to reduce the diagnostic use of CT scans, we implemented a standardized ultrasound report template based on validated secondary signs of appendicitis. METHODS: In September 2012, as part of a quality improvement project, we developed and introduced a four category standardized ultrasound report template for limited right lower quadrant abdominal ultrasounds. Outcomes for patients undergoing ultrasound or CT scan for appendicitis between 9/10/2012 and 12/31/2013 (Period 2, n=2033) were compared to the three months prior to implementation (Period 1, n=304). RESULTS: In Period 1, 78 of 304 (25.7%) patients had appendicitis versus 385 of 2033 (18.9%) in Period 2 (p=0.006). Non-diagnostic exams decreased from 48% to 0.1% (p<0.001). Ultrasound sensitivity improved from 66.67% to 92.2% (p<0.001). Specificity did not significantly change (96.9% to 97.69%, p=0.46). CT utilization for appendicitis decreased from 44.3% in Period 1 to 14.5% at the end of Period 2 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a standardized ultrasound report template based on validated secondary signs of appendicitis nearly eliminated non-diagnostic exams, improved diagnostic accuracy, and resulted in a striking decrease in CT utilization.