Development of the Red Flag Scorecard Screening Tool for Identification of Child Physical Abuse in the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Child physical abuse (CPA) may have subtle presenting signs and can be challenging to identify, especially at emergency centers that do not treat many children. The purpose of this study is to determine the performance of a simple CPA screening tool to identify children most at risk. METHODS: A screening tool ("Red Flag Scorecard") was developed utilizing available evidence-based presenting findings and expert consensus. Retrospective chart review of children treated for injuries between 2014 and 2018 with suspected or confirmed CPA at a level I pediatric trauma center was then performed to validate the screening tool. Descriptive statistics and chi square tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Of 408 cases, median age was 7 months and 60% were male. The majority (69%) were under 1 year of age. The most common history finding was delay in seeking care (58%, 236/408; p = <0.0001), the most common physical exam finding was bruising located away from bony prominences (45%, 182/408), and the most common imaging finding was unexplained brain injury (49%, 201/408). The majority, 84% (343/408), had at least 2 history findings. The combination score of at least 2 history findings and 1 physical/imaging finding was most sensitive (79%). The scorecard would have identified 94% of children who presented with no trauma history (198/211). CONCLUSION: The Red Flag Scorecard may serve as a quick and effective screening tool to raise suspicion for child physical abuse in emergency centers. Prospective study is planned to validate these results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The American Academy of Pediatrics firearm safety infographic improves firearm safety guidance: A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Approximately 800 children annually suffer unintentional firearm injuries and deaths from unsecured firearms in the United States. These injuries are preventable, and may be avoided by providing parents with firearm safety guidance (FSG). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experience of pediatric providers in delivering FSG following incorporation of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) infographic. METHODS: Qualitative study completed July 2019-December 2019. Community pediatricians in Houston, Texas were provided the AAP firearm safety infographic and encouraged to provide FSG routinely during well-child visits with firearm-owning parents. Efficacy, feasibility of use and barriers to FSG were assessed via focus groups. Content analysis was utilized to identify emergent themes from provider experiences. RESULTS: Forty-four pediatricians across eight clinics delivered FSG using the AAP infographic. Of these, thirty-four participated in focus groups discussing their experience. Only 34% of those in the focus groups had routinely provided FSG prior to the study. The AAP infographic was a useful tool because of its visibility, valuable information, and assistance with broaching the topic of firearm safety with parents. Three themes were identified from qualitative analysis: methods of successful delivery of FSG (62%), patient responses to FSG (25%), and barriers to delivery of FSG (13%). Parents were generally receptive to the guidance. CONCLUSIONS: The AAP firearm safety infographic, which is free and publicly available, can be a valuable and satisfactory tool for delivery of firearm safety guidance by pediatric providers, including surgeons. Further study is needed to assess whether the guidance changes parental storage behaviors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level VI.

Implementation of a firearm safety guidance training program for pediatric providers.

PURPOSE: Pediatric unintentional firearm injuries are potentially preventable with firearm safety guidance (FSG). In baseline assessment, we learned that providers feel uncomfortable delivering FSG due to lack of training, but are inclined to learn. Here we present the development and concept testing of an FSG training program. METHODS: Using Kern's 6 rules of curriculum development, a training template was developed: 1. Program development, 2. Review by multidisciplinary expert team, 3. Concept testing, and 4. Modifications. Foundations included: raising awareness, increasing provider knowledge of safe storage methods, introducing a visual aide (American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] infographic), and providing examples of guidance delivery. In-person training was provided and modifications made until there was uniform provider satisfaction. Program effectiveness and satisfaction were evaluated through surveys and focus groups. Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were utilized. RESULTS: Over one year, in-person training was provided to 44 pediatric providers (residents and practicing pediatricians) at 8 clinics. Modifications included: addition of a Spanish-version visual aide, instruction on safety device use, simulation scenarios, making the handout more child-friendly, and development of a home safety video to include firearm safety with other topics. Following training, routine FSG by pediatricians increased from 34% to 71% (p = 0.001). Focus groups revealed provider satisfaction with the AAP infographic and increased comfort of FSG delivery. CONCLUSION: Following development and quality improvement, our FSG training model received positive feedback and increased provider delivery by pediatric providers. This model could be used for development of FSG training programs in other settings.

Thyroid surgery outcomes at a children's hospital: The value of a multidisciplinary team approach.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose is to describe the structure, function and outcomes of our multidisciplinary pediatric thyroid program and to evaluate our experience in comparison to other high-volume centers. METHODS: We reviewed all thyroid operations performed 10/2012 through 09/2019, and examined number of cases per year, patient demographics, procedures, final diagnoses and results. Primary outcomes were hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury at 12 months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate analyses. RESULTS: We performed 294 thyroid operations on 279 patients. Seventy-nine percent were female. Median age was 15 years (IQR: 12-17). Operations included total thyroidectomy (65%), lobectomy (30%) and completion thyroidectomy (5%). Most common diagnoses were Graves' disease (35%), malignancy (29%), and benign nodule (20%). We developed an evidence-based clinical pathway and conducted weekly multidisciplinary meetings. A clinical data specialist reviewed process and outcome measures routinely. Overall, 6 patients (2.0%) had hypoparathyroidism and 2 (0.7%) had unilateral RLN injury at 12 months. Two of the patients with clinical suspicion of permanent hypoparathyroidism were ultimately weaned off calcium. Both patients with RLN injury had extensive locally advanced malignant disease involving the nerve. CONCLUSIONS: Our multidisciplinary team achieved excellent long-term outcomes for pediatric thyroid surgery comparable to other high-volume pediatric and adult centers.

Physician-driven or self-directed safe firearm storage guidance: Which one is best?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Access to firearms is a preventable cause of unintentional injury and suicide in children. Pediatric physicians provide injury prevention guidance, but firearm safety may not routinely be included. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of firearm safety guidance (FSG) provided by a physician. METHODS: Prospective, randomized-controlled, trial assessing physician-delivered FSG at two pediatric clinics in Houston, Texas. Firearm-owning parents were randomized to physician guidance (PG) versus control (CG) groups. The CG received a handout with firearm safety facts and a free cable lock. The PG additionally received FSG by a physician. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were conducted. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-two families participated; most (70%) were satisfied with the guidance. Pre-intervention safe firearm storage was high in both groups, and the intervention did not lead to improved habits in either group [PG: Pre 93% vs. Post 89%, p = 0.7 and CG: Pre 82% vs. 78%, p = 0.7].There was no difference in use of the free cable lock among groups (44% vs. 22%, p = 0.9). The PG demonstrated improved knowledge of the state child access protection law (PG: Pre 60% vs. Post 100% vs. CG: Pre 29% vs. Post 67%; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: For firearm-owning parents, physician-delivered safe storage guidance may not be more effective than self-directed guidance provided by a handout. A larger trial is underway to confirm the findings of this pilot study.

What happens after the hospital? An analysis of longitudinal care needs in children treated for child physical abuse.

BACKGROUND: Victims of child physical abuse (CPA) undergo stabilization and social evaluation during initial management. Current data guides the initial hospital course, but few studies evaluate post-hospital care. The aim of this study was to evaluate compliance with recommended post-discharge visits. METHODS: A retrospective review of our trauma database at a Level I pediatric trauma center from 2014-2018 was performed. Data included demographics, injuries, and longitudinal outcomes. Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were 401 patients (409 unique presentations). Median age was 7 months. Mortality was 6%. Ninety-five percent (358/377) had recommended appointments with multiple specialty services. Compliance with all recommended visits during the first year after injury was 88%. Patients with complex injuries were as likely to comply with recommended follow-up [72% vs. 67%, p = 0.4]; however, they were more likely to still be receiving care at 1 year (58% vs. 14%, p = 0.0001). Those discharged to CPS custody were more likely to be compliant with their follow-up (90% vs. 82%, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Patients significantly injured due to CPA require more post-hospital care over time. CPA management guidelines should include a mechanism to provide resources to these patients and manage multiple coordinating consultants .

Effects of Heart Rate Biofeedback, Sleep, and Alertness on Marksmanship Accuracy during a Live-fire Stress Shoot.

On the job, law enforcement may be required to utilize lethal force to maintain personal or public safety. Officers' attention to detail, decision-making, and marksmanship accuracy (MA) may be impaired by reduced sleep, increased heart rate (HR), and breathing rate (BR). HR biofeedback (emWave, EW) may help mitigate these impairments. This study sought to determine the impact EW had on MA, stress shoot time-to-completion (TTC), HR and BR versus placebo (PLA). Ten activeduty police officers volunteered for this study. Officers completed two live-fire stress shoots on a 25-m gun range (i.e., familiarization, followed by EW, or PLA trials). MA was assessed as "hit, no-hit." HR and BR were monitored before, immediately after, and 20 minutes post-trial. Sleep was monitored during the entirety of the study. Dependent t-tests were conducted for MA and TTC. A 2x3 repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted for HR, BR, before, during, and after each trial. There were no statistical differences (EW vs. PLA) for: HR (128 ± 23 vs. 136 ± 14; p = 0.30), BR (19 ± 2 vs. 21 ± 2; p = 0.31), TTC (108.4 ± 11.2s vs. 111.6 ± 20.2s; p = 0.94; d = 0.21). Alertness (83.2 ± 9.5 vs. 77.9 ± 15.5), was not statistically significant EW vs. PLA (p = 0.32; d = 0.42). MA (81.4 ± 10.2 vs. 85.9 ± 12.9%) was not statistically significant EW vs. PLA (p = 0.95; d = 0.38). Sleep (7.4 ± 2.9h vs. 5.4 ± 1.7h) was not statistically significant EW vs. PLA (p = 0.13; d = 1.0). EW usage did not affect the physiological and marksmanship performance of officers during a live-fire stress shoot based on HR, BR, TTC, and MA while considering sleep quantity.

Quantifying the effect of resident education on outcomes in pediatric appendicitis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Surgical residents are involved in the care of patients in a climate where quality of care is an important outcome measure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of resident involvement on appendectomy outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed appendectomies, ages 0-18, from January 2016 to December 2018. Operative time, operative charges, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated for cases with and without a resident. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Of 1842 appendectomies (1267 resident present and 575 no resident present), there was no difference in postoperative stay, abscess formation, readmission, or emergency room visits for simple or complex appendicitis. Operative time was significantly longer for cases of simple appendicitis by 10 min (p = <0.0001) and charges significantly higher by $600 (p = <0.0001) when a resident was involved in the case. These differences held true for complex appendicitis (time longer by 9 min, p = <0.0001 and charges higher by $500, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Resident involvement results in an increase in operative time and charges, with no difference in length of stay or complications. These results highlight the cost of resident involvement, without an increase in complications experienced by patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III evidence.

Subcutaneous analgesic system versus epidural for post-operative pain control in surgical pediatric oncology patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Pediatric oncology patients often undergo open operations for tumor resection, and epidural catheters are commonly utilized for pain control. Our purpose was to evaluate whether a subcutaneous analgesic system (SAS) provides equivalent post-operative pain control. METHODS: An IRB approved, retrospective chart review of children age <18 undergoing open abdominal, pelvic or thoracic surgery for tumor resection between 2017 and 2019 who received either epidural or SAS for post-operative pain control was performed. Comparisons of morphine milligram equivalents (MME), pain scores, and post-operative course were made using parametric and non-parametric analyses. RESULTS: Of 101 patients, median age was 7 years (2 months-17.9 years). There were 65 epidural and 36 SAS patients. Transverse laparotomy was the most common incision (41%), followed by thoracotomy (29%). Pain scores, MME, urinary catheter days, and post-operative length of stay (LOS) were similar between the two groups. Urinary catheter use was more common in epidural patients (70% vs 30%, p = <0.001). SAS patients had faster time to ambulation and time to regular diet by 1 day (p = 0.02). Epidural patients more commonly had a complication with the pain device (20% vs 3%, p = 0.02) and were more likely to be discharged with narcotics (60% vs. 40%, p = 0.04). Charges associated with the hospital stay were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In pediatric oncology patients undergoing open abdominal, pelvic, and thoracic surgery, SAS may provide similar pain control to epidural, but with faster post-operative recovery, fewer complications, and less discharge narcotic use. A prospective study is needed to validate these results. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective Comparative LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Renal Lymphangiectasia in a Pediatric Patient.

Renal lymphatic abnormalities are rare, and the understanding of pathophysiology involving renal lymphatics is limited. Symptoms can include hypertension, hematuria, proteinuria, chyluria, and abdominal and lumbar pain. Imaging techniques specific to the renal lymphatics have not been clarified. We review the intrahospital imaging evaluation/workup and clinical course of a 6-year-old male who presented to our institution with a large perirenal cyst. His presentation presented a diagnostic and management challenge. The cyst was determined to be lymphatic in origin and required multiple interventional radiology and surgical procedures for management.

An assessment of provider satisfaction with the use of a standardized visual aid for informed consent for appendectomy in children.

PURPOSE: We previously validated a visual aid for the use in the consent process for an appendectomy showing improved parental satisfaction and understanding. In this study, we evaluated provider satisfaction and perceived value of using the visual aid. METHODS: An IRB approved survey was developed assessing provider experience with use of the visual aid. This was distributed and analyzed via Research Electronic Data Capture (RedCap) Database. RESULTS: We administered 58 surveys (45% response rate). Participants included faculty (n = 2), fellows (n = 1), residents (n = 6), and physician assistants (n = 17). The visual aid was used >10 times by 50% of providers. The most common reason for not using the visual aid was not remembering it was available. Nearly half (40%) did not feel the visual aid added any time. 9/20 (45%) felt it added a small amount of time. Slightly over half of providers (52%) felt using the visual aid significantly increased family ability to give informed consent and made the consenting process easier for both providers and families. CONCLUSION: Using a visual aid in consenting families for appendectomy does not add significant time and subjectively improves the process for providers and increases provider perception of parental understanding. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Cost effectiveness, Level IV.

Accuracy of prenatal and postnatal imaging for management of congenital lung malformations.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of prenatal and postnatal imaging modalities for evaluation and management of congenital lung malformations (CLMs). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all fetuses evaluated for a CLM between December 2001 and January 2018. Pre and postnatal imaging findings, operative treatment, and patient outcomes were collected. Patients were included in analysis if they had fetal imaging (US and/or fetal MRI), a postnatal chest CT, and surgical pathology. RESULTS: Over the study period, we identified 157 patients with prenatal imaging that also had a follow-up with postnatal chest CT at a median age of 2.1 [1.4, 3.2] months. Of these, 75% (n = 117) had surgical resection. Diagnostic accuracy (DA) for localization of unilobar lesions was 100% for pre- and postnatal imaging and 97% vs 98% for multilobar disease, respectively. On comparison for identification of aberrant vasculature and pathology prediction, pre- and postnatal imaging DAs were similar. However, postnatal CT had the highest specificity for diagnosing lesions overall (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prenatal imaging provides valuable information for counseling and possible fetal intervention. However, this study suggests that postnatal CT scan continues to provide important information for preoperative counseling and surgical management. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

The significance of abdominal radiographs with paucity of gas in pediatric adhesive small bowel obstruction.

PURPOSE: Management of children with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is often based on abdominal radiographs (AXR). Our purpose was to determine the significance of paucity of gas on initial AXR. METHODS: Retrospective, single center review of children with ASBO between 2011 and 2015. Analysis included chi-square, non-parametric tests and multivariate regression. RESULTS: Of 207 cases, 99 were operative. Initial AXR showed paucity of gas in 41% and gaseous loops in 59%. Paucity was more common in operative patients (49% vs. 32%, p = 0.01). At operation, 71% of patients with paucity had closed loop or high-grade obstruction, compared to 29% of patients with gaseous loops (p = <0.001). CONCLUSION: For children with ASBO with paucity of gas on AXR, complicated obstruction (closed loop or high-grade) should be considered. In children with high clinical suspicion of complicated obstruction, additional imaging with CT or SBFT may clarify the clinical picture.