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BackgroundPreoperative anxiety is a common occurrence among children and is associated with a host of maladaptive postoperative behaviors. Consequently, increased attention has been placed on interventions to reduce preoperative anxiety and its associated outcomes. Child Life preparation prior to surgery includes evidence-based practices such as age-appropriate distraction and therapeutic play. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising addition to the Child Life toolbox to address anxiety prior to surgery. The current study evaluates the implementation and feasibility of a VR experience, “Doc McStuffins: Doctor for a Day Virtual Reality Experience” (DocVR), developed by Disney Junior in collaboration with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, to target pediatric preoperative anxiety. ObjectiveThe primary aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and efficacy of DocVR for preoperative anxiety. A secondary aim was to improve patient, caregiver, and health care provider satisfaction with the preoperative experience. MethodsIn this study, 51 patients (age 6-14 years) scheduled for surgery in the ambulatory surgery center and the main operating room at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles were approached to participate in Disney’s DocVR experience. The patients played the DocVR experience for an average of 18 minutes (3-55 minutes). Irrespective of surgical procedure, patients and their families were eligible, as long as they had no known marked cognitive or visual impairments that would interfere with completing the survey and engaging in the DocVR experience. ResultsPatients who tried the DocVR experience (n=51) responded overwhelmingly positively to both the VR technology and to the game itself. Patients experienced a statistically significant decrease in anxiety following DocVR game play (Z=–3.26, P=.001). On the Facial Affective Scale, the percentage of patients who chose the face with the most positive facial expression to represent their affect increased from 23% (12/51) pre-VR to 49% (25/47) post-VR. Furthermore, 97% (38/39) of patients reported feeling more comfortable at the hospital, and 74% (28/38) reported feeling less scared at the hospital after playing the game. The game was enjoyed by 94% (46/49) of patients, and 88% (30/34) of patients reported feeling both “Interested” and “Involved” in the game. ConclusionsDocVR is a feasible and beneficial VR experience to relieve pediatric preoperative anxiety and improve satisfaction in the preoperative area. The VR experience resulted in a decrease in overall anxiety and an increase in overall positive affect during the preoperative time. Patients also responded positively to the game, confirming their interest in the content and affirming the quality of the DocVR experience. The positive response to the game indicates that DocVR has the potential to make the overall preoperative experience less anxiety-producing and more comfortable, which leads to improved patient satisfaction. Naturally, improved patient outcomes lead to improved caregiver and health care provider satisfaction.

BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) interventions are emerging as promising tools in the treatment of pediatric chronic pain conditions. However, in this young field, there is little consensus to guide the process of engaging in the development and evaluation of targeted VR-based interventions. ObjectiveThe INOVATE-Pain (Interdisciplinary Network on Virtual and Augmented Technologies for Pain management) consortium aims to advance the field of VR for pediatric chronic pain rehabilitation by providing guidance for best practices in the design, evaluation, and dissemination of VR-based interventions targeting this population. MethodsAn interdisciplinary meeting of 16 academics, clinicians, industry partners, and philanthropy partners was held in January 2020. ResultsReviewing the state of the field, the consortium identified important directions for research-driven innovation in VR and AR clinical care, highlighted key opportunities and challenges facing the field, and established a consensus on best methodological practices to adopt in future efforts to advance the research and practice of VR and AR in pediatric pain. The consortium also identified important next steps to undertake to continue to advance the work in this promising new area of digital health pain interventions. ConclusionsTo realize the promise of this realm of innovation, key ingredients for success include productive partnerships among industry, academic, and clinical stakeholders; a uniform set of outcome domains and measures for standardized evaluation; and widespread access to the latest opportunities, tools, and resources. The INOVATE-Pain collaborative hopes to promote the creation, rigorous yet efficient evaluation, and dissemination of innovative VR-based interventions to reduce pain and improve quality of life for children.

BackgroundAccurate data retrieval is an essential part of patient care in the intensive care unit (ICU). The electronic health record (EHR) is the primary method for data storage and data review. We previously reported that residents participating in EHR-based simulations have varied and nonstandard approaches to finding data in the ICU, with subsequent errors in recognizing patient safety issues. We hypothesized that a novel EHR simulation-based training exercise would decrease EHR use variability among intervention interns, irrespective of prior EHR experience. ObjectiveThis study aims to understand the impact of a novel, short, high-fidelity, simulation-based EHR learning activity on the intern data gathering workflow and satisfaction. MethodsA total of 72 internal medicine interns across the 2018 and 2019 academic years underwent a dedicated EHR training session as part of a week-long boot camp early in their training. We collected data on previous EHR and ICU experience for all subjects. Training consisted of 1 hour of guided review of a high-fidelity, simulated ICU patient chart focusing on best navigation practices for data retrieval. Specifically, the activity focused on using high- and low-yield data visualization screens determined by expert consensus. The intervention group interns then had 20 minutes to review a new simulated patient chart before the group review. EHR screen navigation was captured using screen recording software and compared with data from existing ICU residents performing the same task on the same medical charts (N=62). Learners were surveyed immediately and 6 months after the activity to assess satisfaction and preferred EHR screen use. ResultsParticipants found the activity useful and enjoyable immediately and after 6 months. Intervention interns used more individual screens than reference residents (18 vs 20; P=.008), but the total number of screens used was the same (35 vs 38; P=.30). Significantly more intervention interns used the 10 most common screens (73% vs 45%; P=.001). Intervention interns used high-yield screens more often and low-yield screens less often than the reference residents, which are persistent on self-report 6 months later. ConclusionsA short, high-fidelity, simulation-based learning activity focused on provider-specific data gathering was found to be enjoyable and to modify navigation patterns persistently. This suggests that workflow-specific simulation-based EHR training throughout training is of educational benefit to residents.

PurposeExisting automated seizure detection algorithms report sensitivities between 43% and 77% and specificities between 56% and 90%. The algorithms suffer from false alarms when applied to neonatal EEG because of the high degree of nurse handling and rhythmic patting used to soothe neonates. Computer vision technology that quantifies movement in real time could distinguish artifactual motion and improve automated neonatal seizure detection algorithms.MethodsThe authors used video EEG recordings from 43 neonates undergoing monitoring for seizures as part of the NEOLEV2 clinical trial. The Persyst neonatal automated seizure detection algorithm ran in real time during study EEG acquisitions. Computer vision algorithms were applied to extract detailed accounts of artifactual movement of the neonate or people near the neonate though dense optical flow estimation.ResultsUsing the methods mentioned above, 197 periods of patting activity were identified and quantified, of which 45 generated false-positive automated seizure detection events. A binary patting detection algorithm was trained with a subset of 470 event videos. This supervised detection algorithm was applied to a testing subset of 187 event videos with 8 false-positive events, which resulted in a 24% reduction in false-positive automated seizure detections and a 50% reduction in false-positive events caused by neonatal care patting, while maintaining 11 of 12 true-positive seizure detection events.ConclusionsThis work presents a novel approach to improving automated seizure detection algorithms used during neonatal video EEG monitoring. This artifact detection mechanism can improve the ability of a seizure detector algorithm to distinguish between artifact and true seizure activity.

BackgroundTo determine whether restricted diffusion of the callosal splenium is specific for seizure activity in neonates.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of 123 neonates who had a diagnosis of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) who underwent therapeutic cooling and had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within the first 10 days of life. The regions examined for injury include the callosal splenium, cortex, deep gray matter, and subcortical white matter. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were secondarily assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 12 to 18 months of age and > 18 months of age. APGAR scores and pH, two important markers of hypoxia/ischemia and encephalopathy, were also analyzed in relation to these outcomes.ResultsApproximately 41% of the neonates had at least one abnormal region on brain MRI, and 21% had abnormal signal in the splenium. Clinical and/or electrographic seizures were documented in 32%. Changes in the splenium had a sensitivity of 54%, specificity of 94%, and positive predictive value of 81% for seizure presence. The presence of seizures and splenium lesion was associated poor developmental outcomes at 12 to 18 months of age. APGAR scores at 10 minutes, but not lowest pH was associated with splenial changes.ConclusionsRestricted diffusion of the callosal splenium is specific for recent seizures in neonates with HIE. Seizures and splenial lesion represent risk factors for poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Child neurologists and neonatologists should consider splenial signal abnormality in their assessment of neonates at risk for seizures and counsel families about likely outcomes accordingly.

The diagnostic and clinical utility of rapid whole genome sequencing (rWGS) for critically ill children in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been substantiated by multiple studies, but comprehensive cost-effectiveness evaluation of rWGS in the ICU outside of the neonatal age group is lacking. In this study, we examined cost data retrospectively for a cohort of 38 children in a regional pediatric ICU (PICU) who received rWGS. We identified seven of 17 patients who received molecular diagnoses by rWGS and had resultant changes in clinical management with sufficient clarity to permit cost and quality adjusted life years (QALY) modeling. Cost of PICU care was estimated to be reduced by $184,846 and a total of 12.1 QALYs were gained among these seven patients. The total cost of rWGS for patients and families for the entire cohort (38 probands) was $239,400. Thus, the net cost of rWGS was $54,554, representing $4,509 per QALY gained. This quantitative, retrospective examination of healthcare utilization associated with rWGS-informed medicine interventions in the PICU revealed approximately one-third of a QALY gained per patient tested at a cost per QALY that was approximately one-tenth of that typically sought for cost-effective new medical interventions. This evidence suggests that performance of rWGS as a first-tier test in selected PICU children with diseases of unknown etiology is associated with acceptable cost-per-QALY gained.

OBJECTIVES: Using multiple well-validated measures and a large sample size, the goal of this paper was to describe the immediate clinical and behavioral recovery of children following tonsillectomy with or without an adenoidectomy (T&A) during the first two weeks following surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Observational, longitudinal study. SETTING: Four major pediatric hospitals in the U.S. consisting of Childrens Hospital of Orange County, Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital, and Childrens Hospital Colorado. SUBJECTS: and Methods: Participants included 827 patients between 2 and 15 years of age who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy surgery. Baseline and demographic information were gathered prior to surgery, and measures of clinical, behavioral, and physical recovery were recorded immediately following and up through two weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Pain following T&A was clinically significant through the first post-operative week and nearly resolved by the end of the second week. Negative behavioral changes were highly prevalent after surgery (75.6% of children at Day 0) through the first week (63.9% at Week 1), and over 20% of children continued to evidence new onset negative behavioral changes at two weeks post-operatively. Children were rated as experiencing significant functional impairment in the immediate three days following surgery and most children returned to baseline functioning by the end of the second week. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest that children show immediate impairment in functioning and experience clinically significant pain throughout the first week following T&A, and new onset maladaptive behavioral changes persisting even up to the two-week assessment period.

ObjectivesUsing multiple well-validated measures and a large sample size, the goal of this paper was to describe the immediate clinical and behavioral recovery of children following tonsillectomy with or without an adenoidectomy (T&A) during the first two weeks following surgery.Study designObservational, longitudinal study.SettingFour major pediatric hospitals in the U.S. consisting of Children's Hospital of Orange County, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, and Children's Hospital Colorado.Subjectsand Methods: Participants included 827 patients between 2 and 15 years of age who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy surgery. Baseline and demographic information were gathered prior to surgery, and measures of clinical, behavioral, and physical recovery were recorded immediately following and up through two weeks after surgery.ResultsPain following T&A was clinically significant through the first post-operative week and nearly resolved by the end of the second week. Negative behavioral changes were highly prevalent after surgery (75.6% of children at Day 0) through the first week (63.9% at Week 1), and over 20% of children continued to evidence new onset negative behavioral changes at two weeks post-operatively. Children were rated as experiencing significant functional impairment in the immediate three days following surgery and most children returned to baseline functioning by the end of the second week.ConclusionsResults of this study suggest that children show immediate impairment in functioning and experience clinically significant pain throughout the first week following T&A, and new onset maladaptive behavioral changes persisting even up to the two-week assessment period.

IntroductionMucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IVA or Morquio A syndrome is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by deficiency of the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) enzyme, which impairs lysosomal degradation of keratan sulphate and chondroitin-6-sulphate. The multiple clinical manifestations of MPS IVA present numerous challenges for management and necessitate the need for individualised treatment. Although treatment guidelines are available, the methodology used to develop this guidance has come under increased scrutiny. This programme was conducted to provide evidence-based, expert-agreed recommendations to optimise management of MPS IVA.MethodsTwenty six international healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines, with expertise in managing MPS IVA, and three patient advocates formed the Steering Committee (SC) and contributed to the development of this guidance. Representatives from six Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) were interviewed to gain insights on patient perspectives. A modified-Delphi methodology was used to demonstrate consensus among a wider group of healthcare professionals with experience managing patients with MPS IVA and the manuscript was evaluated against the validated Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument by three independent reviewers.ResultsA total of 87 guidance statements were developed covering five domains: (1) general management principles; (2) recommended routine monitoring and assessments; (3) disease-modifying interventions (enzyme replacement therapy [ERT] and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT]); (4) interventions to support respiratory and sleep disorders; (5) anaesthetics and surgical interventions (including spinal, limb, ophthalmic, cardio-thoracic and ear-nose-throat [ENT] surgeries). Consensus was reached on all statements after two rounds of voting. The overall guideline AGREE II assessment score obtained for the development of the guidance was 5.3/7 (where 1 represents the lowest quality and 7 represents the highest quality of guidance).ConclusionThis manuscript provides evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the management of patients with MPS IVA and is for use by healthcare professionals that manage the holistic care of patients with the intention to improve clinical- and patient-reported outcomes and enhance patient quality of life. It is recognised that the guidance provided represents a point in time and further research is required to address current knowledge and evidence gaps.

IntroductionMucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI or Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (253200) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase (arylsulfatase B). The heterogeneity and progressive nature of MPS VI necessitates a multidisciplinary team approach and there is a need for robust guidance to achieve optimal management. This programme was convened to develop evidence-based, expert-agreed recommendations for the general principles of management, routine monitoring requirements and the use of medical and surgical interventions in patients with MPS VI.Methods26 international healthcare professionals from various disciplines, all with expertise in managing MPS VI, and three patient advocates formed the Steering Committee group (SC) and contributed to the development of this guidance. Members from six Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) acted as advisors and attended interviews to ensure representation of the patient perspective. A modified-Delphi methodology was used to demonstrate consensus among a wider group of healthcare professionals with expertise and experience managing patients with MPS VI and the manuscript has been evaluated against the validated Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument by three independent reviewers.ResultsA total of 93 guidance statements were developed covering five domains: (1) general management principles; (2) recommended routine monitoring and assessments; (3) enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); (4) interventions to support respiratory and sleep disorders; (5) anaesthetics and surgical interventions. Consensus was reached on all statements after two rounds of voting. The greatest challenges faced by patients as relayed by consultation with PAGs were deficits in endurance, dexterity, hearing, vision and respiratory function. The overall guideline AGREE II assessment score obtained for the development of the guidance was 5.3/7 (where 1 represents the lowest quality and 7 represents the highest quality of guidance).ConclusionThis manuscript provides evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the management of patients with MPS VI and is for use by healthcare professionals that manage the holistic care of patients with the intention to improve clinical- and patient-reported outcomes and enhance patient quality of life. It is recognised that the guidance provided represents a point in time and further research is required to address current knowledge and evidence gaps.

OBJECTIVES:Genetic disorders are a leading contributor to mortality in the neonatal ICU and PICU in the United States. Although individually rare, there are over 6,200 single-gene diseases, which may preclude a genetic diagnosis prior to ICU admission. Rapid whole genome sequencing is an emerging method of diagnosing genetic conditions in time to affect ICU management of neonates; however, its clinical utility has yet to be adequately demonstrated in critically ill children. This study evaluates next-generation sequencing in pediatric critical care. DESIGN:Retrospective cohort study. SETTING:Single-center PICU in a tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS:Children 4 months to 18 years admitted to the PICU who were nominated between July 2016 and May 2018. INTERVENTIONS:Rapid whole genome sequencing with targeted phenotype-driven analysis was performed on patients and their parents, when parental samples were available. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:A molecular diagnosis was made by rapid whole genome sequencing in 17 of 38 children (45%). In four of the 17 patients (24%), the genetic diagnoses led to a change in management while in the PICU, including genome-informed changes in pharmacotherapy and transition to palliative care. Nine of the 17 diagnosed children (53%) had no dysmorphic features or developmental delay. Eighty-two percent of diagnoses affected the clinical management of the patient and/or family after PICU discharge, including avoidance of biopsy, administration of factor replacement, and surveillance for disorder-related sequelae. CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates a retrospective evaluation for undiagnosed genetic disease in the PICU and clinical utility of rapid whole genome sequencing in a portion of critically ill children. Further studies are needed to identify PICU patients who will benefit from rapid whole genome sequencing early in PICU admission when the underlying etiology is unclear.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to compare postoperative pain scores between children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) surgery and their parents, identify potential predictors for this disagreement, and determine possible impact on analgesic administration.MethodsThis is a prospective longitudinal study conducted with children undergoing outpatient T&A in 4 major tertiary hospitals and their parents. Children and their parents were enrolled prior to surgery and completed baseline psychological instruments assessing parental anxiety (STAI), parental coping style (MBSS), child temperament (EAS) and parental medication administration attitude questionnaire (MAQ). Postoperatively, parents and children completed at-home pain severity ratings (Faces Pain Scale-Revised, children; Numeric Rating Scale, parents) on postoperative recovery days 1, 2, and 3, reflecting an overall pain level for the past 24 h. Parents also completed a log of analgesic administration. Based on postoperative pain scores, parent-child dyads were classified as overestimators (i.e., parents rated their child's pain higher than children rated their own pain), in agreement (i.e., rating in agreement), or underestimators (i.e., parents rated their child's pain lower than children rated their own pain).ResultsA significant proportion of parent-child pairs disagreed on pain ratings on postoperative days 1-3 (30.05%-35.95%). Of those pairs in disagreement, the majority of parents overestimated their child's pain on all three postoperative days, specifically such that a total of 24-26% parents overestimated their child's pain on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated that parents in the overestimator group administered higher, though still within safe limits, amounts of ibuprofen and oxycodone (mg/day) than did the underestimator or agreement groups. Multiple regression models showed hospital site as the only independent predictor for postoperative pain rating disagreement between children and parents.ConclusionsSince parents overestimate their child's postoperative pain and may administer more analgesics to their child, it is essential to develop a standardized method of child pain assessment and a tailored recommended postoperative analgesic regimen amongst medical providers for children undergoing T&A.

BackgroundSatisfaction in the hospital setting is an important component of both hospital funding and patient experience. When it comes to a child's hospital experience, parent satisfaction of their child's perioperative care is also necessary to understand. However, little research has been conducted on the predictors of this outcome. Therefore, the purpose of this current study was to validate a priori selected predictors for parental satisfaction in their child's perioperative process.MethodsEight hundred and ten pediatric patients who underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery and their parents were included in this study. The primary outcome was assessed using a 21-item parent satisfaction questionnaire resulting in three satisfaction scores: overall care satisfaction, OR/induction satisfaction, and total satisfaction.ResultsDescriptive statistics and correlational analysis found that sedative-premedication, parental presence at anesthesia induction, child social functioning, parental anxiety, and language were all significant predictors of various components of the satisfaction score. Regression models, however, revealed that only parent anxiety and child social functioning remained significant predictors such that parents who reported lower state anxiety (OR/induction satisfaction: OR = 0.975, 95% CI [0.957, 0.994]; total satisfaction: OR = 0.968, 95% CI [0.943, 0.993]) and who had higher socially functioning children (overall care satisfaction: OR = 1.019, 95% CI [1.005, 1.033]; OR/induction satisfaction: OR = 1.011, 95% CI [1.000, 1.022]) were significantly more satisfied with the perioperative care they received.ConclusionLower parent anxiety and higher child social functioning were predictive of higher parental satisfaction scores.

BackgroundThere is a large body of literature examining factors associated with children's preoperative anxiety; however, cultural variables such as ethnicity and language have not been included.AimsThe purpose of this investigation was to examine the role of Latino ethnicity and Spanish-speaking families in pediatric preoperative anxiety.MethodsParticipants were 294 children aged 2-15 years of age undergoing outpatient, elective tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy surgery and general anesthesia. Participants were recruited and categorized into 3 groups: English-speaking non-Latino White (n = 139), English-speaking Latino (n = 88), and Spanish-speaking Latino (n = 67). Children's anxiety was rated at 2 time points before surgery: the time the child entered the threshold of the operating room (Induction 1) and the time when the anesthesia mask was placed (Induction 2).ResultsResults from separate linear regression models at Induction 1 and Induction 2, respectively, showed that being from a Spanish-speaking Latino family was associated with higher levels of preoperative anxiety compared with being from an English-speaking family. In addition, young age and low sociability was associated with higher preoperative anxiety in children.ConclusionClinicians should be aware that younger, less sociable children of Spanish-speaking Latino parents are at higher risk of developing preoperative anxiety and manage these children based on this increased risk.

This study examined the effects of acculturation on anxiety and stress in Latino and non-Latino white parents of children undergoing outpatient surgery. Participants included 686 parent-child dyads from four major children's hospitals in the United States. Latino parents who grew up in the U.S. reported higher levels of anxiety (p = 0.009) and stress (p

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether models based on pre-admission testing, including performance on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), performance on required courses in the medical school curriculum, or a combination of both could accurately predict performance of medical students on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2. Models were produced using stepwise linear regression and feed forward neural networks. Notable accuracy in predicting Step 1 and Step 2 scores were achieved from models integrating pre-admission variables with medical school coursework grades. Of interest, the coursework grades contributed far greater to these models than the pre-admission variables except the MCAT. (Contains 2 tables.)

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to determine the relationship of frontal lobe cortical thickness and basal ganglia volumes to measures of cognition in adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA).MethodsParticipants included 120 adults with SCA with no history of neurologic dysfunction and 33 healthy controls (HCs). Participants were enrolled at 12 medical center sites, and raters were blinded to diagnostic group. We hypothesized that individuals with SCA would exhibit reductions in frontal lobe cortex thickness and reduced basal ganglia and thalamus volumes compared with HCs and that these structural brain abnormalities would be associated with measures of cognitive functioning (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 3rd edition).ResultsAfter adjusting for age, sex, education level, and intracranial volume, participants with SCA exhibited thinner frontal lobe cortex (t = -2.99, p = 0.003) and reduced basal ganglia and thalamus volumes compared with HCs (t = -3.95, p < 0.001). Reduced volume of the basal ganglia and thalamus was significantly associated with lower Performance IQ (model estimate = 3.75, p = 0.004) as well as lower Perceptual Organization (model estimate = 1.44, p = 0.007) and Working Memory scores (model estimate = 1.37, p = 0.015). Frontal lobe cortex thickness was not significantly associated with any cognitive measures.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that basal ganglia and thalamus abnormalities may represent a particularly salient contributor to cognitive dysfunction in adults with SCA.

Background: Children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) have post-traumatic stress (PTS) rates up to 64%, and up to 28% of them meet criteria for PTS disorder (PTSD). We aim to examine whether a prior trauma history and increased physiologic parameters due to a heightened sympathetic response are associated with later PTS. Our hypothesis was children with history of prehospitalization trauma, higher heart rates, blood pressures, cortisol, and extrinsic catecholamine administration during PICU admission are more likely to have PTS after discharge. Methods: This is a prospective, observational study of children admitted to the PICU at an urban, quaternary, academic children's hospital. Children aged 8 to 17 years old without developmental delay, severe psychiatric disorder, or traumatic brain injury were included. Children's prehospitalization trauma history was assessed with a semistructured interview. All in-hospital variables were from the electronic medical record. PTS was present if children had 4 of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV criteria for PTSD. Student's t - and chi-squared tests were used to compare the presence or absence of prior trauma and all of the PICU-associated variables. Results: Of the 110 children at baseline, 67 had 3-month follow-up. In the latter group, 46% met the criteria for PTS, mean age of 13 years (SD 3), 57% male, a mean PRISM III score of 4.9 (SD 4.3), and intensive care unit length of stay 6.5 days (SD 7.8). There were no statistically significant differences in the demographics of the children with and without PTS. The only variable to show significance was trauma history; children with prehospitalization trauma were more likely to have PTS at 3-month follow-up (P =.02). Conclusions: Prehospitalization trauma history was associated with the presence of PTS after admission to the PICU. This study suggests future studies should shift to the potential predictive benefit of screening children for trauma history upon PICU admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the expansion of global health initiatives focused on healthcare professional training, it is important to ensure that such training is scalable and sustainable. Simulation-based education (SBE) is a highly effective means to achieve these goals. Although SBE is widely used in the United States, its integration globally is limited, which can impact the potential of SBE in many countries. The purpose of this perspective piece is to demonstrate how a train-the-trainer program can help in the development of an international SBE program and specifically what unique issues must be considered in operationalizing this strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown the benefit and safety of pediatric acupuncture, but it is often rejected by patients and their caregivers due to the perception of needling pain associated with acupuncture. A retrospective cohort study of 230 unique patients (1380 sessions) aged 8 to 21 underwent Kiiko Matsumoto Style acupuncture in an outpatient pain clinic. Patients completed a post-acupuncture survey, including the Faces Pain Scale-Revised and Likert-like scales about overall satisfaction, relaxation, and anxiolysis. Univariate analyses were conducted on all outcomes of interest. The mean needling pain score was 1.3 out of 10 with 57.7% of patients reporting no needling pain during their first acupuncture session. The mean score for overall satisfaction was 8.4 out of 10, relaxation was 8.2 out of 10, and anxiety reduction was 7.7 out of 10. The overall satisfaction, relaxation, and anxiolytic effect of acupuncture was increased in patients with more sessions (p = 0.003, 0.022, 0.004, respectively). There was no change in needling pain scores in patients with an increased number of acupuncture sessions (p = 0.776). Patients experience minimal needling pain during acupuncture needling and are highly satisfied with acupuncture. Those with more treatment sessions report feeling increased satisfaction and relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]