Association of empiric antibiotic selection and clinical outcomes in hospitalised children with severe orbital infections: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of initial empiric antibiotic regimens with clinical outcomes in hospitalised children with severe orbital infections. DESIGN: Multi-centre observational cohort study using data from 2009 to 2018 clinical records. SETTING: Canadian children's hospitals (7) and community hospitals (3). PATIENTS: Children between 2 months and 18 years hospitalised for >24 hours with severe orbital infections. INTERVENTIONS: Empiric intravenous antibiotic regimen in the first 24 hours of hospitalisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of hospital stay and surgical intervention using multivariable median regression and multivariate logistic regression, with adjustment for covariates. RESULTS: Of 1421 patients, 60.0% were male and the median age was 5.5 years (IQR 2.4-9.9). Median length of stay was 86.4 hours (IQR 56.9-137.5) and 180 (12.7%) received surgical intervention. Patients receiving broad-spectrum empiric antibiotics had an increased median length of stay, ranging from an additional 13.8 hours (third generation cephalosporin and anaerobic coverage) to 19.5 hours (third generation cephalosporin, staphylococcal and anaerobic coverage). No antibiotic regimen was associated with a change in the odds of surgical intervention. These findings remained unchanged in sensitivity analyses restricted to more severely ill patients. There was a twofold increase in the percentage of patients receiving the broadest empiric antibiotic regimens containing both staphylococcal and anaerobic coverage from 17.8% in 2009 to 40.3% in 2018. CONCLUSIONS: Empiric use of broad-spectrum antibiotics with staphylococci and anaerobic coverage was associated with longer length of stay and similar rates of surgery in children with orbital infections. There is an urgent need for comparative effectiveness studies of various antibiotic regimes.

Oxygen Saturation Targets in Infants Hospitalized With Bronchiolitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine 2 hospital oxygen saturation target policies and clinical outcomes in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. METHODS: This multicenter cohort study used data collected from a randomized clinical trial of infants aged 4 weeks to 24 months, hospitalized with bronchiolitis at children's and community hospitals from 2016 to 2019. We modeled the association between hospital oxygen saturation target policy, either 90% while awake and 88% while asleep (90%/88%) or 90% while awake and asleep (90%/90%), and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 162 infants were enrolled at 4 hospitals using a 90%/88% oxygen saturation target and 67 infants at 2 hospitals using a 90%/90% target policy. No significant differences between the 90%/88% group and 90%/90% groups were observed for time to discharge (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-1.14; P = .25), initiation of supplemental oxygen (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.98; 95% CI, 0.47-2.02; P = .95), time to discontinuation of supplemental oxygen (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.44-1.27; P = .28), revisits (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.52-3.71; P = .52), and parent days missed from work (aOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 0.90-6.41; P = .08). Three infants in the 90%/88% group and none in the 90%/90% group were transferred to the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Among infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis, clinical outcomes were similar between a hospital oxygen saturation target policy of 90% while awake and 88% while asleep compared with 90% while awake and asleep. These findings may inform the design of future trials of oxygen saturation targets in bronchiolitis hospital care.

De-implementing low-value continuous pulse oximetry practice in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis: A multicentre qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trial evidence supports the routine use of intermittent pulse oximetry in stabilized infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. However, continuous pulse oximetry use is common. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators to de-implement continuous pulse oximetry and implement intermittent pulse oximetry in infants hospitalized with stabilized bronchiolitis. METHODS: This multicentre qualitative study interviewed attending pediatricians, residents, nurses, respiratory therapists, and caregivers of infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis at hospitals in Ontario, Canada, to explore beliefs, attitudes, and experiences regarding pulse oximetry use in bronchiolitis management. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to understand barriers and facilitators to practice change, mapped to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains. RESULTS: Sixty-seven participants from six hospitals were interviewed using individual interviews and focus groups. Healthcare providers emphasized the importance of identifying and understanding who is responsible for bedside pulse oximetry practice (physicians vs. nurses). Clinical experience, knowledge of guidelines, importance versus competing priorities, and the tensions among team members due to practice variation in monitoring, influenced monitoring practice. Nurses believed in the advantages of intermittent monitoring (reduced alarm fatigue, facilitation of timely discharges, and reduced workload). Clinicians identified ways to clarify indications for continuous monitoring (based on patient risk factors), versus indications to transition to intermittent monitoring (established oral feeding, sleeping without desaturations). Caregivers did not express a clear preference for monitoring type; rather, they described the need for clear communication around interpreting monitor readings, management decisions, and care transitions. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding professional roles, clarity around local practice standards and supporting families' understanding of pulse oximetry practice is essential for practice change. These findings may inform hospital quality improvement efforts to de-implement continuous monitoring in bronchiolitis hospital care.

A Feeding Adequacy Scale for Children With Bronchiolitis: Prospective Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the measurement properties of the Feeding Adequacy Scale (FAS) in young children hospitalized with bronchiolitis. METHODS: Multicenter cohort study of infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis at children's and community hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Caregivers and nurses completed the FAS, a 10-cm visual analog scale anchored by "not feeding at all" (score 0) and "feeding as when healthy" (score 10). The main outcome measures were feasibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the FAS. RESULTS: A total of 228 children were included with an average (SD) age of 6.3 (5.4) months. Completing the FAS was feasible for caregivers and nurses, with no floor or ceiling effects. Test-retest reliability was moderate for caregivers (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 2,1 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-0.80) and good for nurses (ICC 2,1 0.75; 95% CI 0.62-0.83). Interrater reliability between 1 caregiver and 1 nurse was moderate (ICC 1,1 0.55; 95% CI 0.45-0.64). For construct validity, the FAS was negatively associated with length of hospital stay and positively associated with both caregiver and nurse readiness for discharge scores (P values <.0001). The FAS demonstrated clinical improvement from the first FAS score at admission to the last FAS score at discharge, with significant differences between scores for both caregivers and nurses (P values for paired t test <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of the feasibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of caregiver-completed and nurse-completed FAS as a measure of feeding adequacy in children hospitalized with bronchiolitis.

Abscess volume as a predictor of surgical intervention in children hospitalized with orbital cellulitis: A multicentre cohort study.

IMPORTANCE: Orbital cellulitis with subperiosteal or orbital abscess can result in serious morbidity and mortality in children. Objective volume criterion measurement on cross-sectional imaging is a useful clinical tool to identify patients with abscess who may require surgical drainage. OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value of abscess volume and the optimal volume cut-point for surgical intervention. DESIGN: We conducted an observational cohort study using medical records from children hospitalized between 2009 and 2018. SETTING: Multicentre study using data from 6 children's hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Children were included if they were between 2 months and 18 years of age and hospitalized for an orbital infection with an abscess confirmed on cross-sectional imaging. EXPOSURE: Subperiosteal or orbital abscess volume. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was surgical intervention, defined as subperiosteal and/or orbital abscess drainage. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the association of abscess volume with surgery. To determine the optimal abscess volume cut-point, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed using the Youden Index to optimize sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Of the 150 participants (mean [SD] age, 8.5 [4.5] years), 68 (45.3%) underwent surgical intervention. On multivariable analysis, larger abscess volume and non-medial abscess location were associated with surgical intervention (abscess volume: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.46; 95% CI, 1.11-1.93; abscess location: aOR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.4-8.58). ROC analysis demonstrated an optimal abscess volume cut-point of 1.18 mL [AUC: 0.75 (95% CI 0.67-0.83) sensitivity: 66%; specificity: 79%]. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this multicentre cohort study of 150 children with subperiosteal or orbital abscess, larger abscess volume and non-medial abscess location were significant predictors of surgical intervention. Children with abscesses >1.18 mL should be considered for surgery.

Variation in the Management of Hospitalized Children With Orbital Cellulitis Over 10 Years.

OBJECTIVES: No previous study has examined the management of hospitalized children with orbital cellulitis at both children's and community hospitals across multiple sites in Canada. We describe variation and trends over time in diagnostic testing and imaging, adjunctive agents, empiric antibiotics, and surgical intervention in children hospitalized with orbital cellulitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multicenter cohort study of 1579 children aged 2 months to 18 years with orbital cellulitis infections admitted to 10 hospitals from 2009 to 2018. We assessed hospital-level variation in the use of diagnostic tests, imaging, antibiotics, adjunctive agents, surgical intervention, and clinical outcomes using X2, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The association between clinical management and length of stay was evaluated with median regression analysis with hospital as a fixed effect. RESULTS: There were significant differences between children's hospitals in usage of C-reactive protein tests (P < .001), computed tomography scans (P = .004), MRI scans (P = .003), intranasal decongestants (P < .001), intranasal corticosteroids (P < .001), intranasal saline spray (P < .001), and systemic corticosteroids (P < .001). Children's hospital patients had significantly longer length of hospital stay compared with community hospitals (P = .001). After adjustment, diagnostic testing, imaging, and subspecialty consults were associated with longer median length of hospital stay at children's hospitals. From 2009 to 2018, C-reactive protein test usage increased from 28.8% to 73.5% (P < .001), whereas erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased from 31.5% to 14.1% (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There was significant variation in diagnostic test usage and treatments, and increases in test usage and medical intervention rates over time despite minimal changes in surgical interventions and length of stay.

Cost-effectiveness of Intermittent vs Continuous Pulse Oximetry Monitoring in Infants Hospitalized With Stabilized Bronchiolitis.

Importance: Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive technology that is integral to the supportive care of hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis. A multicenter, randomized trial comparing the effectiveness of intermittent vs continuous pulse oximetry found similar length of hospital stay and safety outcomes, and greater nursing satisfaction, with intermittent monitoring. Objectives: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intermittent vs continuous pulse oximetry in hospitalized infants with stabilized bronchiolitis. Design, Setting, and Participants: An economic evaluation concurrent with a randomized trial in community and tertiary children's hospitals in Ontario, Canada, was conducted using a probabilistic analysis. Patients were enrolled from November 1, 2016, to May 31, 2019. Data included infants aged 4 weeks to 24 months hospitalized with bronchiolitis, with or without supplemental oxygen, after stabilization. The cost-effectiveness analysis adopted a societal and health care system perspective and a time horizon from hospitalization to 15 days post-discharge. Patient level direct health care costs and indirect costs were included. Health resource use, costs, and clinical outcomes were obtained from trial data. Publicly available pricing resources were used to supplement costs. Ranges for sensitivity analysis were based on 95% confidence intervals of the trial data. All costs were reported in 2021 Canadian dollars. Interventions: Intermittent (every 4 hours) vs continuous pulse oximetry using an oxygen saturation target of 90% or higher. Main Outcomes and Measures: Costs and incremental costs. Results: Trial data from 229 infants (median [IQR] age, 4.0 [2.2-8.5] months; 136 boys [59.4%], 93 girls [40.6%]) were included. Mean societal costs per patient were $6879 (95% CI, $3393 to $12 317) in the intermittent and $7428 (95% CI, $1743 to $25 011) in the continuous group with a mean incremental cost of -$548 (95% CI, -$18 486 to $8105). Mean health care system costs per patient were $4195 (95% CI, $1191 to $9461) in the intermittent and $4716 (95% CI, $335 to $22 093) in the continuous group (incremental cost, -$520; 95% CI, -$18 286 to $7358). The mean effect measure of length of stay was similar between the 2 groups: 37.4 hours (95% CI, 1.0 to 137.7 hours) in the intermittent group and 38.5 hours (95% CI, 0 to 237.1 hours) in the continuous group. One-way sensitivity analyses on all variables revealed that the findings were robust and the incremental costs were not sensitive to the uncertainty within the defined ranges. Conclusions and Relevance: In this prospective economic evaluation study, we found that costs were similar for intermittent and continuous pulse oximetry considering societal and health care perspectives. Given that clinical outcomes between monitoring strategies are comparable and that other practice considerations favor intermittent monitoring, these findings provide additional information that support the use of intermittent monitoring in hospitalized infants with stabilized bronchiolitis.

Canadian infants presenting with Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (BRUEs) and validation of clinical prediction rules for risk stratification: a protocol for a multicentre, retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (BRUEs) are a common presentation among infants. While most of these events are benign and self-limited, guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics inaccurately identify many patients as higher-risk of a serious underlying aetiology (positive predictive value 5%). Recently, new clinical prediction rules have been derived to more accurately stratify patients. This data were however geographically limited to the USA, with no large studies to date assessing the BRUE population in a different healthcare setting. The study's aim is to describe the clinical management and outcomes of infants presenting to Canadian hospitals with BRUEs and to externally validate the BRUE clinical prediction rules in identified cases. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre retrospective study, conducted within the Canadian Paediatric Inpatient Research Network (PIRN). Infants (<1 year) presenting with a BRUE at one of 11 Canadian paediatric centres between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021 will be included. Eligible patients will be identified using diagnostic codes.The primary outcome will be the presence of a serious underlying illness. Secondary outcomes will include BRUE recurrence and length of hospital stay. We will describe the rates of hospital admissions and whether hospitalisation was associated with an earlier diagnosis or treatment. Variation across Canadian hospitals will be assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient. To validate the newly developed clinical prediction rule, measures of goodness of fit will be evaluated. For this validation, a sample size of 1182 is required to provide a power of 80% to detect patients with a serious underlying illness with a significance level of 5%. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been granted by the UBC Children's and Women's Research Board (H21-02357). The results of this study will be disseminated as peer-reviewed manuscripts and presentations at national and international conferences.

Factors Associated with Surgery and Imaging Characteristics in Severe Orbital Infections.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate risk factors associated with surgical intervention and subperiosteal/orbital abscess in hospitalized children with severe orbital infections. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a multicenter cohort study of children 2 months to 18 years hospitalized with periorbital or orbital cellulitis from 2009 to 2018 at 10 hospitals in Canada. Clinical details were extracted, and patients were categorized as undergoing surgical or medical-only management. Primary outcome was surgical intervention and the main secondary outcome was clinically important imaging. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors. RESULTS: Of 1579 patients entered, median age was 5.4 years, 409 (25.9%) had an orbital/subperiosteal abscess, and 189 (12.0%) underwent surgery. In the adjusted analysis, the risk of surgical intervention was associated with older age (age 9 to <14: aOR 3.9, 95% CI 2.3-6.6; and age 14 to ≤18 years: aOR 7.0, 95% CI 3.4-14.1), elevated C-reactive protein >120 mg/L (aOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-5.9), elevated white blood cell count of 12-20 000/µL (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6), proptosis (aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.7-4.0), and subperiosteal/orbital abscess (aOR 5.3, 95% CI 3.6-7.9). There was no association with antibiotic use before hospital admission, sex, presence of a chronic disease, temperature greater than 38.0°C, and eye swollen shut. Complications were identified in 4.7% of patients, including vision loss (0.6%), intracranial extension (1.6%), and meningitis (0.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In children hospitalized with severe orbital infections, older age, elevated C-reactive protein, elevated white blood cell count, proptosis, and subperiosteal/orbital abscess were predictors of surgical intervention.

Prevalence, Cost, and Variation in Cost of Pediatric Hospitalizations in Ontario, Canada.

Importance: Identifying conditions that could be prioritized for research based on health care system burden is important for developing a research agenda for the care of hospitalized children. However, existing prioritization studies are decades old or do not include data from both pediatric and general hospitals. Objective: To assess the prevalence, cost, and variation in cost of pediatric hospitalizations at all general and pediatric hospitals in Ontario, Canada, with the aim of identifying conditions that could be prioritized for future research. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based cross-sectional study used health administrative data from 165 general and pediatric hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Children younger than 18 years with an inpatient hospital encounter between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2019, were included. Main Outcomes and Measures: Condition-specific prevalence, cost of pediatric hospitalizations, and condition-specific variation in cost per inpatient encounter across hospitals. Variation in cost was evaluated using (1) intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and (2) number of outlier hospitals. Costs were adjusted for inflation to 2018 US dollars. Results: Overall, 627 314 inpatient hospital encounters (44.8% among children younger than 30 days and 53.0% among boys) at 165 hospitals (157 general and 8 pediatric) costing $3.3 billion were identified. A total of 408 003 hospitalizations (65.0%) and $1.4 billion (43.8%) in total costs occurred at general hospitals. Among the 50 most prevalent and 50 most costly conditions (of 68 total conditions), the top 10 highest-cost conditions accounted for 55.5% of all costs and 48.6% of all encounters. The conditions with highest prevalence and cost included low birth weight (86.2 per 1000 encounters; $676.3 million), preterm newborn (38.0 per 1000 encounters; $137.4 million), major depressive disorder (20.7 per 1000 encounters; $78.3 million), pneumonia (27.3 per 1000 encounters; $71.6 million), other perinatal conditions (68.0 per 1000 encounters; $65.8 million), bronchiolitis (25.4 per 1000 encounters; $54.6 million), and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (47.9 per 1000 encounters; $46.7 million). The highest variation in cost per encounter among the most costly medical conditions was observed for 2 mental health conditions (other mental health disorders [ICC, 0.28] and anxiety disorders [ICC, 0.19]) and 3 newborn conditions (intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia [ICC, 0.27], other perinatal conditions [ICC, 0.17], and surfactant deficiency disorder [ICC, 0.17]). Conclusions and Relevance: This population-based cross-sectional study of hospitalized children identified several newborn and mental health conditions as having the highest prevalence, cost, and variation in cost across hospitals. Findings of this study can be used to develop a research agenda for the care of hospitalized children that includes general hospitals and to ultimately build a more substantial evidence base and improve patient outcomes.

Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Network: Improving the Management of Pediatric Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction.

Lower urinary tract symptoms with constipation characterize bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD). Due to high referral volumes to hospital pediatric urology clinics and time-consuming appointments, wait times are prolonged. Initial management consists of behavioral modification strategies that could be accomplished by community pediatricians. We aimed to create a network of community pediatricians trained in BBD (BBDN) management and assess its impact on care. METHODS: We distributed a survey to pediatricians, and those interested attended training consisting of lectures and clinical shadowing. Patients referred to a hospital pediatric urology clinic were triaged to the BBDN and completed the dysfunctional voiding symptom score and satisfaction surveys at baseline and follow-up. The Bristol stool chart was used to assess constipation. Results were compared between BBDN and hospital clinic patients. RESULTS: Surveyed pediatricians (n = 100) most commonly managed BBD with PEG3350 and dietary changes and were less likely to recommend bladder retraining strategies. Baseline characteristics were similar in BBDN (n = 100) and hospital clinic patients (n = 23). Both groups had similar improvements in dysfunctional voiding symptom score from baseline to follow-up (10.1 ± 4.2 to 5.6 ± 3.3, P = 0.01, versus 10.1 ± 4.2 to 7.8 ± 4.5, P = 0.02). BBDN patients waited less time for their follow-up visit with 56 (28-70) days versus 94.5 (85-109) days for hospital clinic patients (P < 0.001). Both groups demonstrated high familial satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Community pediatricians may require more knowledge of management strategies for BBD. Our pilot study demonstrates that implementing a BBDN is feasible, results in shorter wait times, and similar improvement in symptoms and patient satisfaction than a hospital pediatric urology clinic.

Intermittent vs Continuous Pulse Oximetry in Hospitalized Infants With Stabilized Bronchiolitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: There is low level of evidence and substantial practice variation regarding the use of intermittent or continuous monitoring in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. Objective: To compare the effect of intermittent vs continuous pulse oximetry on clinical outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, pragmatic randomized clinical trial included infants 4 weeks to 24 months of age who were hospitalized with bronchiolitis from November 1, 2016, to May 31, 2019, with or without supplemental oxygen after stabilization at community and children's hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Interventions: Intermittent (every 4 hours, n = 114) or continuous (n = 115) pulse oximetry, using an oxygen saturation target of 90% or higher. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was length of hospital stay from randomization to discharge. Secondary outcomes included length of stay from inpatient unit admission to discharge and outcomes measured from randomization: medical interventions, safety (intensive care unit transfer and revisits), parent anxiety and workdays missed, and nursing satisfaction. Results: Among 229 infants enrolled (median [IQR] age, 4.0 [2.2-8.5] months; 136 [59.4%] male; 101 [44.1%] from community hospital sites), the median length of hospital stay from randomization to discharge was 27.6 hours (interquartile range [IQR], 18.8-49.6 hours) in the intermittent group and 25.4 hours (IQR, 18.3-47.6 hours) in the continuous group (difference of medians, 2.2 hours; 95% CI, -1.9 to 6.3 hours; P = .17). No significant differences were observed between the intermittent and continuous groups in the median length of stay from inpatient unit admission to discharge: 49.1 (IQR, 37.2-87.0) hours vs 46.0 (IQR, 32.5-73.8) hours (P = .13) or in frequencies or durations of hospital interventions, such as oxygen supplementation initiation: 4 of 114 (3.5%) vs. 9 of 115 (7.8%) (P = .16) and median duration of oxygen supplementation: 20.6 (IQR, 7.6-46.1) hours vs. 21.4 (11.6-52.9) hours (P = .66). Similarly, there were no significant differences in frequencies of intensive care unit transfer: 1 of 114 (0.9%) vs 2 of 115 (2.7%) (P = .76); readmission to hospital: 3 of 114 (2.6%) in the intermittent group vs 4 of 115 (3.5%) in the continuous group (P > .99); parent anxiety: mean (SD) parent anxiety score, 2.9 (0.9) in the intermittent group vs 2.8 (0.9) in the continuous group (P = .40); or parent workdays missed: median workdays missed, 1.5 (IQR, 0.5-3.0) vs 1.5 (IQR, 0.5-2.5) (P = .36). Mean (SD) nursing satisfaction with monitoring was significantly greater in the intermittent group: 8.6 (1.7) vs 7.1 (2.8) of 10 workdays; the mean difference was 1.5 (95% CI, 0.9-2.2; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, among infants hospitalized with stabilized bronchiolitis with and without hypoxia and managed using an oxygen saturation target of 90% or higher, clinical outcomes, including length of hospital stay and safety, were similar with intermittent vs continuous pulse oximetry. Nursing satisfaction was greater with intermittent monitoring. Given that other important clinical practice considerations favor less intense monitoring, these findings support the standard use of intermittent pulse oximetry in stable infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02947204.

Care and outcomes of Canadian children hospitalised with periorbital and orbital cellulitis: protocol for a multicentre, retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Skin and soft tissue infections of the eye can be classified based on anatomic location as either anterior to the orbital septum (ie, periorbital cellulitis) or posterior to the orbital septum (ie, orbital cellulitis). These two conditions are often considered together in hospitalised children as clinical differentiation is difficult, especially in young children. Prior studies have identified variation in management of hospitalised children with orbital cellulitis; however, they have been limited either as single centre studies or by the use of administrative data which lacks clinical details important for interpreting variation in care. We aim to describe the care and outcomes of Canadian children hospitalised with periorbital and orbital cellulitis. METHOD AND ANALYSIS: This is a multisite retrospective cohort study including previously healthy children aged 2 months to 18 years admitted to hospital with periorbital or orbital cellulitis from 2009 to 2018. Clinical data from medical records from multiple Canadian hospitals will be collected, including community and academic centres. Demographic characteristics and study outcomes will be summarised using descriptive statistics, including diagnostic testing, antibiotic therapy, adjunctive therapy, surgical intervention and clinical outcomes. Variation will be described and evaluated using χ² test or Kruskal-Wallis test. Generalised linear mixed models will be used to identify predictors of surgical intervention and longer length of stay. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval of the study by the Research Ethics Board at each participating site has been obtained prior to data extraction. Study results will be disseminated by presentations at national and international meetings and by publications in high impact open access journals. By identifying important differences in management and outcomes by each hospital, the results will identify areas where care can be improved, practice standardised, unnecessary diagnostic imaging reduced, pharmacotherapy rationalised and where trials are needed.

Complex care for kids Ontario: protocol for a mixed-methods randomised controlled trial of a population-level care coordination initiative for children with medical complexity.

INTRODUCTION: Technological and medical advances have led to a growing population of children with medical complexity (CMC) defined by substantial medical needs, healthcare utilisation and morbidity. These children are at a high risk of missed, fragmented and/or inappropriate care, and families bear extraordinary financial burden and stress. While small in number (<1% of children), this group uses ~1/3 of all child healthcare resources, and need coordinated care to optimise their health. Complex care for kids Ontario (CCKO) brings researchers, families and healthcare providers together to develop, implement and evaluate a population-level roll-out of care for CMC in Ontario, Canada through a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design. The intervention includes dedicated key workers and the utilisation of coordinated shared care plans. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Our primary objective is to evaluate the CCKO intervention using a randomised waitlist control design. The waitlist approach involves rolling out an intervention over time, whereby all participants are randomised into two groups (A and B) to receive the intervention at different time points determined at random. Baseline measurements are collected at month 0, and groups A and B are compared at months 6 and 12. The primary outcome is the family-prioritized Family Experiences with Coordination of Care (FECC) survey at 12 months. The FECC will be compared between groups using an analysis of covariance with the corresponding baseline score as the covariate. Secondary outcomes include reports of child and parent health outcomes, health system utilisation and process outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Research ethics approval has been obtained for this multicentre RCT. This trial will assess the effect of a large population-level complex care intervention to determine whether dedicated key workers and coordinated care plans have an impact on improving service delivery and quality of life for CMC and their families. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02928757.

Development of a Standardized Approach for the Assessment of Bowel and Bladder Dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Bowel and bladder dysfunction (BBD) is a common pediatric condition that describes a constellation of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with constipation. Many children with BBD have comorbid neuropsychiatric and psychosocial concerns that are not routinely assessed. The aim of quality improvement (QI) was to establish a comprehensive assessment for BBD by developing and evaluating (1) a standardized clinician assessment form and (2) parent-reported questionnaire. METHODS: From July 2017 to April 2018, a prospective QI study was conducted in the BBD network. A standardized assessment form was developed based on literature review and expert opinions, with targeted sections for LUTS, constipation, and psychosocial history. Before clinic, families of children referred for BBD were given a questionnaire to clarify voiding, stooling, and dietary patterns. Physicians utilized the assessment form for new referrals. Afterward, both physicians and parents evaluated the assessment process anonymously. RESULTS: A total of 15 physicians and 45 parents responded, with 67% of patients being between 4 and 10 years old and 51% male. Physicians responded that the assessment form reminded them to ask about specific LUTS (93%), constipation (87%), and psychosocial history (87%). Parents responded positively by agreeing that they felt included in care decisions (96%) and had questions answered appropriately (100%). Only 47% found the previsit package easy to complete. CONCLUSIONS: In pediatric BBD consultations, a standardized assessment form can guide clinicians to efficiently gather a comprehensive history and screen for psychosocial risk factors. It can empower more pediatricians to evaluate BBD in the future.

Care maps and care plans for children with medical complexity.

INTRODUCTION: The support of families in the care of children with medical complexity (CMC) requires the integration of health care providers' (HCPs') medical knowledge and family experience. Care plans largely represent HCP information, and care maps demonstrate the family experience. Understanding the intersection between a care plan and a care map is critical, as it may provide solutions to the widely recognized tension between HCP-directed care and patient- and family-centered care (PFCC). METHOD: This study used qualitative methods to explore the experience and usefulness of care maps. Parents of CMC who already had a care plan, created care maps (n = 15). Subsequent interviews with parents (n = 15) and HCPs (n = 30) of CMC regarding both care maps and care plans were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Data analysis exploring the relationship and utility of care plans and care maps revealed six primary themes related to using care plans and care maps that were grouped into two primary categories: (a) utility of care plans and maps; and (b) intersection of care plans and care maps. DISCUSSION: Care plans and care maps were identified as valuable complementary documents. Their integration offers context about family experience and respects the parents' experiential wisdom in a standard patient care document, thus promoting improved understanding and integration of the family experience into care decision making.

Intermittent versus continuous oxygen saturation monitoring for infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis: study protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchiolitis is the most common reason for hospitalisation in infants in developed countries. The main focus of hospital care is on supportive care, such as monitoring for hypoxia and supplemental oxygen administration, as active therapies lack effectiveness. Pulse oximetry is used to monitor hypoxia in hospitalised infants and is used either intermittently or continuously. Observational studies have suggested that continuous pulse oximetry use leads to a longer length of hospital stay in stable infants. The use of continuous pulse oximetry may lead to unnecessary clinical intervention due to readings that are of little clinical significance, false-positive readings and less reliance on the clinical status. There is a lack of high-quality evidence to guide which pulse oximetry monitoring strategy, intermittent or continuous, is superior in infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis with respect to patient and policy-relevant outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multicentre, pragmatic randomised controlled trial comparing two strategies for pulse oximetry monitoring in infants hospitalised for bronchiolitis. Infants aged 1 month to 2 years presenting to Canadian tertiary and community hospitals will be randomised after stabilisation to receive either intermittent or continuous oxygen saturation monitoring on the inpatient unit until discharge. The primary outcome is length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes include additional measures of effectiveness, acceptability, safety and cost. We will need to enrol 210 infants in order to detect a 12-hour difference in length of stay with a type 1 error rate of 5% and a power of 90%. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Research ethics approval has been obtained for this trial. This trial will provide data to guide hospitals and clinicians on the optimal pulse oximetry monitoring strategy in infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis. We will disseminate the findings of this study through peer-reviewed publication, professional societies and meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02947204.

Care maps for children with medical complexity.

AIM: Children with medical complexity require multiple providers and services to keep them well and at home. A care map is a patient/family-created diagram that pictorially maps out this complex web of services. This study explored what care maps mean for families and healthcare providers to inform potential for clinical use. METHOD: Parents (n=15) created care maps (hand drawn n=10 and computer-generated n=5) and participated in semi-structured interviews about the process of developing care maps and their perceived impact. Healthcare providers (n=30) reviewed the parent-created care maps and participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed for themes and emerging theory using a grounded theory analytical approach. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed 13 overarching themes that were further categorized into three domains: features (characteristics of care maps), functions (what care maps do), and emerging outcomes (benefits of care map use). These domains further informed a definition and a theoretical model of how care maps work. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that care maps may be a way of supporting patient- and family-centred care by graphically identifying and integrating experiences of the family as well as priorities for moving forward. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Care maps were endorsed as a useful tool by families and providers. They help healthcare providers better understand parental priorities for care. Parents can create care maps to demonstrate the complex burden of care. They are a unique visual way to incorporate narrative medicine into practice.