Marsha Finkelstein

The Assessment of Risk Factors in 462 Patients With Acute Renal Failure

Risk factors associated with the mortality of patients with acute renal failure (ARF) were investigated. This was accomplished by a review of 462 patients with ARF and the utilization of a logistic regression analysis to develop a model that can be used to predict the mortality odds for an ARF patient. The significant risk factors were age, oliguria, pulmonary and cardiovascular complications, jaundice, and hypercatabolism. Based on these factors, our model was able to account for 77% of the mortality associated with ARF.

Sensitivity of the Pediatric Early Warning Score to Identify Patient Deterioration

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) sensitivity as an early indicator of patients deterioration leading to a Rapid Response Team (RRT)/code event. We hypothesized that at least 80% of patients had a critical PEWS preceding the event. We determined staff awareness of deterioration in patient status prior to the event as evidenced by consults, addition of monitoring equipment or increased frequency of assessment. The timing of these events was compared to critical PEWS times. METHODS: One hundred and seventy non-ICU RRT and 16 code events were identified between October 2006 and February 2008. We completed retrospective PEWS at four-hour intervals or less for twenty-four hours preceding the event. The PEWS algorithm, guiding staff to consult at a critical score ≥4 or a single domain score equal to 3, was applied. RESULTS: For 85.5% of patients the earliest indicator of deterioration, evidenced by a critical PEWS, was a median of 11 hours 36 minutes and the earliest preceding the event was 30 minutes. For 97.1% of patients the earliest median time to a consult was 80 minutes. Oximetry was added 6.9 hours for 43.5% of patients. 7% of patients had increased nursing assessment. A sub-group of patients had 1) critical PEWS, 2) consult and 3) addition of a monitor. The median time for earliest critical PEWS for these was significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PEWS can potentially provide a forewarning time >11 hours, alerting the team to adapt the care plan and possibly averting an RRT or code.

Type I Pleuropulmonary Blastoma: A Report From the International Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Registry

PURPOSE Type I pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare, cystic lung neoplasm in infants characterized by subtle malignant changes and a good prognosis. Recurrences after type I PPB are usually advanced type II or type III neoplasms with a poor prognosis. This article describes the first collection of type I PPB cases, analyzes outcome based on treatments of surgery or surgery plus chemotherapy, and presents type I PPB management recommendations. PATIENTS AND METHODS Type I PPB cases from the International PPB Registry and literature were evaluated using standard statistical methods for outcomes based on age at diagnosis, sex, thoracic side, surgical extent, length of follow-up, constitutional/familial disease, pre-existing lung cysts, intrathoracic findings, and treatments (surgery or surgery and chemotherapy). RESULTS Thirty-eight type I PPB cases were identified: Registry (n = 30) and literature (n = 8). Twenty children had surgery alone; eight (40%) experienced recurrence; and four died. Eighteen children had surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy; one experienced recurrence and died. All recurrences were type II or III PPB. Recurrence-free survival was higher in the surgery + chemotherapy group (P = .01); overall survival did not differ (P = .18). The improved recurrence-free survival was found only in males. Four of nine children with recurrence survived. CONCLUSION Adjuvant chemotherapy appears to benefit type I PPB patients. Benefit limited to males requires broader substantiation. Salvage after types II and III recurrence is poor (four of nine; 44%). A rigorous surveillance schedule after type I PPB diagnosis might detect early recurrence and be an acceptable alternative to adjuvant chemotherapy.

NICU Practices and Outcomes Associated With 9 Years of Quality Improvement Collaboratives

OBJECTIVE: Quality improvement collaboratives (QICs) can improve short-term outcomes, but few have examined their long-term results. This study evaluated the changes in treatment practices and outcomes associated with participation in multiple sequential QICs. DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective, 9-year, pre-post study of very low birth weight infants, we assessed treatment and outcomes from the 8 NICUs of the Reduce Lung Injury (ReLI) group of a QIC sponsored by the Vermont Oxford Network (VON). We analyzed data from 1998 (pre-ReLI), 2001 (last ReLI year), and 2006 (5 years after ReLI) by using univariate and multiple regression. RESULTS: A total of 4065 very low birth weight infants were treated in ReLI NICUs in 1998, 2001, and 2006. From 1998 to 2006, the ReLI group decreased delivery room intubation (70% vs 52%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.2 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2–0.3]; P < .001), conventional ventilation (75% vs 62%; aOR: 0.3 [95% CI: 0.2–0.4]; P < .001), and postnatal steroids for BPD (35% vs 10%; aOR: 0.09 [95% CI: 0.07–0.1]; P < .001). They increased the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (57% vs 78%; aOR: 3.3 [95% CI: 2.7–3.9]; P < .001). BPD-free survival remained unchanged (68% vs 66%; aOR: 0.9 [95% CI: 0.7–1.1]; P = .16), the BPD rate increased (25% vs 29%; aOR: 1.3 [95% CI: 1.1–1.6]; P = .017), survival to discharge increased (90% vs 93%; aOR: 1.5 [95% CI: 1.1–2.2]; P < .001), and nosocomial infections decreased (18% vs 15%; aOR: 0.8 [95% CI: 0.6–0.99]; P = .045). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in VON–sponsored QICs was associated with sustained implementation of potentially better respiratory practices, increased survival, and reduced nosocomial infections. The BPD-free survival rate did not change, and the BPD rate increased. Implemented changes endured for at least 5 years after the QIC.

Reduction of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia After Participation in the Breathsavers Group of the Vermont Oxford Network Neonatal Intensive Care Quality Improvement Collaborative

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to compare the primary and secondary outcomes of very low birth weight infants before and after participation in the Breathsavers Group of the Vermont Oxford Network–sponsored Neonatal Intensive Care Quality Collaborative. METHODS. Hospitals that participated in the Breathsavers Group contributed clinical data on the outcomes of their very low birth weight infants to the Vermont Oxford Network using standardized clinical definitions, data forms, and inclusion criteria. Outcomes from the last year of the collaborative, 2003, were compared with those from the baseline year, 2001. Models for treatment practices and outcomes measures were adjusted for within-hospital correlation (clustering) and standard risk factors that were present at birth. RESULTS. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia dropped significantly in 2003 compared with the baseline year. Survival improved but not significantly. In addition, severe retinopathy of prematurity, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and supplemental oxygen at discharge dropped significantly. The use of conventional ventilation at any time during the initial hospitalization, postnatal steroids, and time to first dose of surfactant all decreased significantly. The use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure at any time during hospitalization increased. The use of high-frequency ventilation, delivery room intubation, and surfactant at any time during hospitalization did not change. CONCLUSIONS. The Breathsavers Group improved both clinical care processes and clinical outcomes during the Neonatal Intensive Care Quality Collaborative.

Propofol sedation: intensivists' experience with 7304 cases in a children's hospital.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to determine the safety profile of propofol as a deep-sedation agent in a primarily outpatient program consisting of pediatric critical care physicians and specifically trained nurses with oversight provided by anesthesiology. One hypothesis was investigated: adverse events and/or airway interventions are more likely to occur in children with an abnormal airway score. METHODS. A 36-month dual-site prospective, observational, clinical study was conducted in a single center with interchangeable providers operating within the guidelines of a single sedation program. A total of 7304 propofol sedations for 4464 unique patients who ranged in age from 1 month to 21 years were studied; >97% of the children were >1 year of age. RESULTS. The following adverse reactions were identified, and a descriptive statistical analysis of the data were performed: mild oxygen desaturation (85%–90%), 1.73%; serious oxygen desaturation (<85%), 2.9%; laryngospasm, 0.27%; regurgitation without aspiration, 0.05%; regurgitation with aspiration, 0.01%; bronchospasm, 0.15%; and hypotension, 31.4%. Interventions required included oral airway, 0.96%; nasal trumpet, 1.57%; rescue breaths for >1 minute, 0.37%; intubation, 0.03%; volume requirement of >40 mL/kg per hour, 0.11%; sedation-induced ward or PICU admission, 0.04%; cardiac arrest medications, 0%; and aborted sedation or procedure, 0%. We devised an airway score to identify at-risk patients. Patients with an abnormal airway score were significantly more likely to: have oxygen desaturation (13.1% vs 4.3%); require an oral airway (5.9% vs 0.8%); and require a nasal trumpet (13.9% vs 1.2%). CONCLUSIONS. Propofol has an acceptable safety profile for deep sedation when used in the context of a program with critical care physicians, specifically trained nurses, and anesthesiology oversight. A preprocedure airway score can assist in identifying patients who may require airway interventions.

Cerebral metastasis and other central nervous system complications of pleuropulmonary blastoma

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare tumor of pleura and lung in young children. Central nervous system (CNS) complications, particularly cerebral parenchymal metastases, occur in aggressive forms of PPB: Types II and III PPB. This article evaluates cerebral and meningeal metastases, cerebrovascular events (CVA) caused by tumor emboli, spinal cord complications, and intracranial second malignancies in PPB.

Cri du chat syndrome and congenital heart disease: a review of previously reported cases and presentation of an additional 21 cases from the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium.

OBJECTIVES. To analyze the cases submitted to the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium (PCCC) database from 1982 to 2002 to determine the frequency and distribution of congenital heart disease (CHD) found in this population, to review the literature for previously published accounts of CHD in this population, and to review current genotype-phenotype associations for cri du chat (CDC) syndrome with CHD. METHODS. We performed a retrospective review of the 98422 CHD cases submitted to the PCCC between 1982 and 2002, to find patients who had a noncardiac diagnosis of CDC syndrome. RESULTS. A total of 21 patients (15 female and 6 male patients) were identified. Although some patients had multiple cardiac anomalies, they were categorized according to primary diagnoses on the basis of the most hemodynamically significant component. The patient groups were ventricular septal defect (n = 6), patent ductus arteriosus (n = 6), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 5), pulmonary valve atresia with ventricular septal defect (n = 2), pulmonary valve stenosis (n = 1), and double-outlet right ventricle (n = 1). Eighteen of the 21 patients underwent surgical repair of their defects. There was 1 late operative death. To determine whether the observed frequency of these cardiac defects among patients with CDC syndrome was comparable to that of the general population of patients with CHD, data for all cases submitted to the PCCC from 1982 to 2002 were used. Use of these numbers to determine expected frequencies for these defects showed significantly greater proportions of patients with these specific lesions among the patients with CDC syndrome. CONCLUSIONS. Currently there is no clear understanding of the genomic cause of the prevalence of these defects in the population with CDC syndrome, although CHD has been noted among patients with other deletion syndromes.

Animated video vs pamphlet: comparing the success of educating parents about proper antibiotic use.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to create an animated video to teach parents about the appropriate use of antibiotics and to compare their knowledge to parents who were provided with the American Academy of Pediatrics pamphlet. We hypothesized that the video format would result in improved comprehension and retention. METHODS: This prospective randomized, controlled trial was conducted in an urban pediatric emergency department. Parent subjects were randomly assigned to a control group, a pamphlet group, and a video group and completed a survey at 3 time points. Analysis included the nonparametric matched Friedman test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. A 2-sided P value of <.05 was required for significance, and a Bonferroni-corrected P value of <.017 was required for paired comparisons. RESULTS: Postintervention survey scores improved significantly in the pamphlet and video groups compared with baseline. The video groups follow-up scores were not significantly different from the postintervention-survey scores (P = .32). The pamphlet-group scores at follow-up were significantly lower than the postintervention-survey scores (P = .002). The control groups scores were similar at all 3 time periods. The pamphlet group had significantly better scores than the control group after the intervention (P < .001). The video-group scores exceeded the control-group scores at all 3 time periods. CONCLUSIONS: An animated video is highly effective for educating parents about the appropriate use of antibiotics in the emergency department setting and results in long-term knowledge retention. The results of this study provide a foundation to further evaluate the use of animated video in additional populations.

Which management strategy do parents prefer for their head-injured child: immediate computed tomography scan or observation?

Objective The objectives of this study were to determine which method of head injury evaluation, immediate computed tomography (CT) or observation, parents would prefer for their child when given the opportunity to make an informed decision and to determine factors influencing preference. Methods Parents of head-injured children 2 years or older who presented to a pediatric emergency department were eligible. After triage evaluation, and before physician assessment, research assistants presented educational materials regarding the method, risks, and benefits of both immediate CT and observation. Parents then completed a survey asking them their preference, reasons for preference, details of their child’s injury, and demographic information. Results One hundred thirty-four parents participated. After reviewing the educational materials, 53 (40%) preferred immediate CT; 77 (57%) preferred observation; 4 (3%) did not indicate a preference. Of those parents who preferred immediate CT, the leading reason given was, “I need to be 100% sure there is no bleeding in my child’s brain.” Of those parents who preferred observation, the 2 leading reasons given were, “I don’t want my child to have a test unless he/she absolutely has to” and “I am concerned about the possibility of radiation causing a brain tumor.” Injury mechanism, time between injury and presentation, time of day, child’s age, worst symptom, previous CT, and demographic markers were not statistically associated with preference. Conclusions When given the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding the evaluation of their head-injured child, parents were divided as to their preference. A small majority preferred observation.