Is Collaborative Care the Future of Medicine? Lessons Learned from the Care of Children with Colorectal Conditions.

The treatment of patients with colorectal disorders requires care from a wide variety of medical and surgical specialties over the course of their lifetime. This is ideally handled by a collaborative center which facilitates the assessment and development of patient care among multiple specialties which can enhance the quality and implementation of treatment plans, improve communication among different specialties, decrease morbidity, and improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. This collaborative approach can serve as a model for other parts of medicine requiring a similar multi-disciplinary and integrated method of care delivery. We describe the process, as well as the lessons learned in developing such a program.

Efforts to catalogue non-governmental organizations with a role in global burn relief.

INTRODUCTION: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been instrumental in the treatment of traumatic injuries, including burns, particularly in low- and middle-income counties. The purpose of this project was to catalogue burn injury related NGO activities, describe coordinated efforts, and provide insight to burn health care professionals seeking volunteer opportunities. METHODS: Eligible burn NGOs were identified through internet searches, literature reviews, and social media. The organizations' websites were reviewed for eligibility and contact was attempted to confirm details. Global health organizations, including the World Health Organization, were consulted for their viewpoints. RESULTS: We identified 27 unique NGOs working in the area of burn care in African countries, all with differing missions, capacities, recruitment methods, and ability to respond to disaster. We also describe 14 global NGOs, some of which accept volunteers. Some NGOs were local, while others were headquartered in western countries. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first effort towards the establishment of a Burn-NGO catalogue. Challenges included: frequent shifts in geographical regions supported, lack of collaboration among organizations, availability of public information, and austere environments. We invite collaborators to assist in the creation of a comprehensive, interactive and complete catalogue.

Improving Quality of Chest Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Pediatric Malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Atelectasis is a problem in sedated pediatric patients undergoing cross-sectional imaging, impairing the ability to accurately interpret chest computed tomography (CT) imaging for the presence of malignancy, often leading to additional maneuvers and/or repeat imaging with additional radiation exposure. METHODS: A quality improvement team established a best-practice protocol to improve the quality of thoracic CT imaging in young patients with suspected primary or metastatic pulmonary malignancy. The specific aim was to increase the percentage of chest CT scans obtained for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules with acceptable atelectasis scores (0-1) in patients aged 0-5 years with malignancy, from a baseline of 45% to a goal of 75%. RESULTS: A retrospective cohort consisted of 94 patients undergoing chest CT between February 2014 and January 2015 before protocol implementation. The prospective cohort included 195 patients imaged between February 2015 and April 2018. The baseline percentage of CT scans that were scored 0 or 1 on the atelectasis scale was 44.7%, which improved to 75% with protocol implementation. The mean atelectasis score improved from 1.79 (±0.14) to 0.7 (±0.09). Sedation incidence decreased substantially from 73.2% to 26.5% during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Using quality improvement methodology including standardization of care, the percentage of children with atelectasis scores of 0-1 undergoing cross-sectional thoracic imaging improved from 45% to 75%. Also, eliminating the need for sedation in these patients has further improved image quality, potentially allowing for optimal detection of smaller nodules, and minimizing morbidity.

Gangrenous appendicitis: No longer complicated.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis presents on a spectrum ranging from inflammation to gangrene to perforation. Studies suggest that gangrenous appendicitis has lower postoperative infection rates relative to perforated cases. We hypothesized that gangrenous appendicitis could be successfully treated as simple appendicitis, reducing length of stay (LOS) and antibiotic usage without increasing postoperative infections. METHODS: In February 2016, we strictly defined complex appendicitis as a hole in the appendix, extraluminal fecalith, diffuse pus or a well-formed abscess. We switched gangrenous appendicitis to a simple pathway and reviewed all patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy for 12 months before (Group 1) and 12 months after (Group 2) the protocol change. Data collected included demographics, appendicitis classification, LOS, presence of a postoperative infection, and 30-day readmissions. RESULTS: Patients in Group 1 and Group 2 were similar, but more cases of simple appendicitis occurred in Group 2. Average LOS for gangrenous appendicitis patients decreased from 2.5 to 1.4 days (p < 0.001) and antibiotic doses decreased from 5.2 to 1.3 (p < 0.001). Only one gangrenous appendicitis patient required readmission, and one patient in each group developed a superficial infection; there were no postoperative abscesses. CONCLUSIONS: Gangrenous appendicitis can be safely treated as simple appendicitis without increasing postoperative infections or readmissions. TYPE OF STUDY: Prognosis study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Standardized ultrasound templates for diagnosing appendicitis reduce annual imaging costs.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is preferred over computed tomography (CT) for diagnosing appendicitis in children to avoid undue radiation exposure. We previously reported our experience in instituting a standardized appendicitis ultrasound template, which decreased CT rates by 67.3%. In this analysis, we demonstrate the ongoing cost savings associated with using this template. METHODS: Retrospective chart review for the time period preceding template implementation (June 2012-September 2012) was combined with prospective review through December 2015 for all patients in the emergency department receiving diagnostic imaging for appendicitis. The type of imaging was recorded, and imaging rates and ultrasound test statistics were calculated. Estimated annual imaging costs based on pretemplate ultrasound and CT utilization rates were compared with post-template annual costs to calculate annual and cumulative savings. RESULTS: In the pretemplate period, ultrasound and CT rates were 80.2% and 44.3%, respectively, resulting in a combined annual cost of $300,527.70. Similar calculations were performed for each succeeding year, accounting for changes in patient volume. Using pretemplate rates, our projected 2015 imaging cost was $371,402.86; however, our ultrasound rate had increased to 98.3%, whereas the CT rate declined to 9.6%, yielding an annual estimated cost of $224,853.00 and a savings of $146,549.86. Since implementation, annual savings have steadily increased for a cumulative cost savings of $336,683.83. CONCLUSIONS: Standardizing ultrasound reports for appendicitis not only reduces the use of CT scans and the associated radiation exposure but also decreases annual imaging costs despite increased numbers of imaging studies. Continued cost reduction may be possible by using diagnostic algorithms.

Effective methods to decrease surgical site infections in pediatric gastrointestinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries represent a significant proportion of the surgical site infection (SSI) burden in pediatric patients, resulting in significant morbidity. Previous studies have shown that perioperative bundles reduce SSIs, but few have focused on pediatric GI operations. We hypothesized that a GI bundle would decrease SSI rates, length of stay (LOS), and hospital charges. METHODS: After establishing baseline SSI rates, a GI bundle was created and implemented in November 2014. We prospectively collected data including demographics, procedure type, LOS, inpatient charges, bundle compliance, and SSI development. We analyzed SSI rates, LOS, and charges using process control charts. RESULTS: The baseline SSI rate for all GI operations was 3.4%, which increased to 7.1%, then decreased to 4.7%. Midgut/hindgut and stoma closure SSI rates decreased from 11.3% to 8.0% (p<0.05) and 21.4% to 7.9%, respectively (p<0.05). Although overall LOS and charges were unchanged, average LOS for midgut/hindgut surgeries and stoma closures decreased from 20.3 to 13.6days (p=0.015) and 12.6 to 7.9days (p=0.04), respectively. Stoma closure charges decreased from $94,262 to $50,088 (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our perioperative GI bundle decreased SSI rates, primarily among midgut/hindgut operations. Bundle usage decreased LOS and charges most effectively in stoma closures. TYPE OF STUDY: Prognosis Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.

Using quality improvement methodology to improve ovarian salvage for benign ovarian masses.

PURPOSE: Most ovarian masses in children are benign and potentially amenable to ovarian salvage surgery (OSS). Despite the common use of OSS among pediatric and adolescent gynecologists (PAG) in recognition of reproductive and hormonal health advantages, this technique is not commonly performed by pediatric surgeons. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) initiative was to improve our institutional rate of OSS for benign ovarian masses. METHODS: Baseline data were obtained retrospectively from surgical procedures performed for benign ovarian masses between January 2012 and February 2016. Designed interventions to improve the rate of OSS included the development of an ovarian mass algorithm, standardization of radiologic templates, multidisciplinary analyses of ovarian procedures, and implementation of a training model for performing OSS. Procedures performed for benign ovarian masses from March 2016 to February 2017 comprised the process stage. RESULTS: Our institutional baseline OSS rate was 28.8%. After implementation of the institutional algorithm, a single oophorectomy was performed for a benign mass, increasing the OSS rate to 96%. There have been no missed ovarian malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing preoperative risk assessment, QI methodology and multidisciplinary collaboration resulted in improved OSS rates for benign ovarian masses with no evidence of missed ovarian malignancies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II. This is a prospective comparative study, with comparison to a retrospective cohort. This is a quality improvement initiative without randomization.