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Background Addressing operational inefficiencies in operating rooms (ORs) enhances patient access to care, reduces delays, and improves employee and patient satisfaction. The Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) promotes patient safety through increased teamwork, empowerment of frontline staff, and utilization of science of safety principles. CUSP has demonstrated success in outpatient and inpatient settings to decrease complication rates and establish a culture of safety but has been used minimally in the perioperative setting. In this study, the CUSP methodology was utilized to improve perioperative efficiency in pediatric spine surgery, and preimplementation and postimplementation efficiency were compared, using the rate of first case on-time starts (FCOTS) as the primary metric. Methods A CUSP quality improvement workgroup including nurses, technicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and administrators sought feedback on opportunities for improvement and tracked key performance metrics in the OR from 2015 to 2020. Key interventions developed in response to feedback included standardizing and streamlining room setup and adjusting staffing models for greater efficiency. Univariate analysis was conducted to compare time periods pre-CUSP and post-CUSP implementation. Results First case on-time starts increased from 38% to a high of 81% after implementation. For more complex cases, the average patient in the room to anesthesia ready time improved by 31% with decreased variance over time, and average closure to patient out of room time improved by 45%. Improvements were sustained through Year 3, while CUSP remained a primary focus for the team. Conclusions CUSP is effective in enhancing perioperative efficiency, demonstrating strong improvement in on-time starts over 5 years. The results indicate that process improvement in ORs requires consistent attention to sustain gains over time. Engaging frontline staff in quality improvement fosters collaboration and provides employee buy-in to promoting a culture of safety and improving value in patient care. Level of evidence Level III-retrospective comparative study.

Objectives/hypothesis Children who do not require oxygen beyond 3 hours after surgery and pass a sleep room air challenge (SRAC) are safe for discharge regardless of polysomnogram (PSG) results or comorbidities. Study design Cross-sectional prospective study. Methods All children observed overnight undergoing an adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing were prospectively recruited. Demographic, clinical, and PSG characteristics were stratified by whether the patient had required oxygen beyond 3 hours postoperatively (prolonged oxygen requirement [POR]) and compared using t test, chi-squared test, or Fisher's exact test depending on distribution. Optimal cut points for predicting POR postsurgery were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curves. The primary analysis was performed on the full cohort via logistic regression using POR as the outcome. Significant characteristics were analyzed in a logistic regression model, with significance set at P Results A total of 484 participants met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 5.65 (standard deviation = 4.02) years. Overall, 365 (75%) did not have a POR or any other adverse respiratory event. In multivariable logistic regression, risk factors for POR were an asthma diagnosis (P Conclusions In conclusion, all children in our study who are off oxygen within 3 hours of surgery and passed a SRAC were safe for discharge from a respiratory standpoint regardless of age, obesity status, asthma diagnosis, and obstructive apnea/hypopnea index. Additional investigations are necessary to confirm our findings. Level of evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2021.

Retrospective cohort study.The objective of this study was to examine associations of gabapentin use with inpatient postoperative daily pain scores and opioid use in children undergoing PSF for AIS.Gabapentin use in posterior spinal fusion (PSF) postoperative pain management for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is increasingly common in order to decrease opioid use and improve pain control, though there is conflicting data on dosing and effectiveness to support this practice in real world settings.Retrospective cohort study of children aged 10 to 21 years undergoing PSF for AIS between January 2013 and June 2016 at an urban academic tertiary care center. Adjuvant gabapentin exposure was defined as at least 15 mg/kg/d by postoperative day (POD) 1 with an initial loading dose of 10 mg/kg on day of surgery. Primary outcomes were daily postoperative mean pain score and opioid use [morphine milligram equivalents/kg/day(mme/kg/d)]. Secondary outcomes were short and long-term complications.Among 129 subjects (mean age, 14.6 y, 74% female, mean coronal cobb, 55.2 degrees), 24 (19%) received gabapentin. Unadjusted GABA exposure was associated with significantly lower opioid use on POD1 and 2 (49% and 31%mme/kg/d, respectively) and lower pain scores (14%) on POD2. Adjusting for preexisting back pain, preoperative coronal Cobb angle, and site, GABA use was associated with significantly lower mean pain scores on POD1 through POD3 (-0.68, P=0.01; -0.86, P=0.002; -0.63, P=0.04). Gabapentin use was also associated with decreased opioid use on POD1 and POD2 (-0.39mme/kg/d, P0.001; -0.27, P=0.02). There was no difference in complications by gabapentin exposure.Addition of gabapentin as adjuvant therapy for adolescent PSF, beginning on day of surgery, is associated with improved pain scores and decreased opioid use in the first 48 to 72 hours postoperatively.This is a retrospective cohort study, classified as Level III under "Therapeutic Studies Investigating the Results of a Treatment."

Value in health care is defined as the quotient of outcomes to cost. Both pediatric and adult spinal deformity surgeries are among the most expensive procedures offered today. With high variability in both outcomes and costs in spine surgery today, surgeons will be expected to consider long-term cost effectiveness when comparing treatment options. We summarize various methods by which value can be increased in complex spine surgery, both through the improvement of outcomes and the reduction of cost. These methods center around standardization, team-based and collaborative approaches, rigorous outcomes tracking through dashboards and registries, and continuous process improvement. This manuscript reviews the expert opinion of leading spine specialists on the improvement of safety, quality and improvement of value of pediatric and adult spinal surgery. Without surgeon leadership in this arena, suboptimal solutions may result from the isolated intervention of regulatory bodies or payer groups. The cooperative development of standardized, team-based approaches in complex spine surgery will lead to the high-quality, high-value care for patients.

Importance US national guidelines discourage the use of continuous pulse oximetry monitoring in hospitalized children with bronchiolitis who do not require supplemental oxygen. Objective Measure continuous pulse oximetry use in children with bronchiolitis. Design, Setting, and Participants A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in pediatric wards in 56 US and Canadian hospitals in the Pediatric Research in Inpatient Settings Network from December 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019. Participants included a convenience sample of patients aged 8 weeks through 23 months with bronchiolitis who were not receiving active supplemental oxygen administration. Patients with extreme prematurity, cyanotic congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, home respiratory support, neuromuscular disease, immunodeficiency, or cancer were excluded. Exposures Hospitalization with bronchiolitis without active supplemental oxygen administration. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome, receipt of continuous pulse oximetry, was measured using direct observation. Continuous pulse oximetry use percentages were risk standardized using the following variables: nighttime (11pm to 7am), age combined with preterm birth, time after weaning from supplemental oxygen or flow, apnea or cyanosis during the present illness, neurologic impairment, and presence of an enteral feeding tube. Results The sample included 3612 patient observations in 33 freestanding children's hospitals, 14 children's hospitals within hospitals, and 9 community hospitals. In the sample, 59% were male, 56% were white, and 15% were black; 48% were aged 8 weeks through 5 months, 28% were aged 6 through 11 months, 16% were aged 12 through 17 months, and 9% were aged 18 through 23 months. The overall continuous pulse oximetry monitoring use percentage in these patients, none of whom were receiving any supplemental oxygen or nasal cannula flow, was 46% (95% CI, 40%-53%). Hospital-level unadjusted continuous pulse oximetry use ranged from 2% to 92%. After risk standardization, use ranged from 6% to 82%. Intraclass correlation coefficient suggested that 27% (95% CI, 19%-36%) of observed variation was attributable to unmeasured hospital-level factors. Conclusions and Relevance In a convenience sample of children hospitalized with bronchiolitis who were not receiving active supplemental oxygen administration, monitoring with continuous pulse oximetry was frequent and varied widely among hospitals. Because of the apparent absence of a guideline- or evidence-based indication for continuous monitoring in this population, this practice may represent overuse.

In February 1937, W.E.B. Du Bois sent a letter to Alfred Harcourt, informing him of Du Bois’s recent return from a trip “around the world.” Out of this trip, he reports, he had begun to write a boo...

Background Deimplementation, the systematic elimination of low-value practices, has emerged as an important focus within implementation science. Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of infant hospitalization. Among stable inpatients with bronchiolitis who do not require supplemental oxygen, continuous pulse oximetry monitoring is recognized as an overused, low-value practice in pediatric hospital medicine. There is strong scientific evidence and practice guideline support for limiting pulse oximetry monitoring of stable children with bronchiolitis who do not require supplemental oxygen, yet the practice remains common. This study aims to (1) characterize the extent of this overuse in hospitals located in the USA and Canada, (2) identify barriers and facilitators of successful deimplementation of continuous pulse oximetry monitoring in bronchiolitis, and (3) develop consensus strategies for large-scale deimplementation. In addition to identifying feasible strategies for deimplementation, this study will test the feasibility of data collection approaches to be employed in a large-scale deimplementation trial. Methods This multicenter study will be performed in approximately 38 hospitals in the Pediatric Research in Inpatient Settings Network. In Aim 1, we will determine the rate of overuse within each hospital by performing repeated cross-sectional observational sampling of continuous pulse oximetry monitoring of stable bronchiolitis patients age 8 weeks through 23 months who do not require supplemental oxygen. In Aim 2, we will use the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as a framework for semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (physician, nurse, respiratory therapist, administrator, and parent) at the highest- and lowest-overuse hospitals to understand barriers and facilitators of continuous pulse oximetry monitoring deimplementation. In Aim 3, we will use a theory-based causal model to match the identified barriers and facilitators to potential strategies for deimplementation. Candidate strategies will be discussed with a panel of stakeholders from hospitals with high rates of overuse to assess feasibility and acceptability. A questionnaire ranking strategies based on feasibility, acceptability, and impact will be administered to a broader group of stakeholders to arrive at consensus about promising strategies for large-scale deimplementation to be tested in a subsequent trial. Discussion Effective strategies for deimplementing continuous pulse oximetry monitoring of stable patients with bronchiolitis have not been well characterized. The findings of this study will provide further understanding of factors that facilitate deimplementation in pediatric hospital settings and provide pilot and feasibility data to inform a trial of large-scale deimplementation of this overused practice. Trial registration Not applicable. This study does not meet the World Health Organization definition of a clinical trial. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40814-019-0453-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the association between fever and subsequent deterioration among patients with Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) elevations to ≥4 to inform improvements to care escalation processes at our institution.METHODS:We performed a cohort study of hospitalized children at a single quaternary children’s hospital with PEWS elevations to ≥4 between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2014. Bivariable analysis was used to compare characteristics between patients with and without unplanned ICU transfers and critical deterioration events (CDEs) (ie, unplanned ICU transfers with life-sustaining interventions initiated in the first 12 ICU hours). A multivariable Poisson regression was used to assess the relative risk of unplanned ICU transfers and CDEs.RESULTS:The study population included 220 PEWS elevations from 176 unique patients. Of those, 33% had fever (n = 73), 40% experienced an unplanned ICU transfer (n = 88), and 19% experienced CDEs (n = 42). Bivariable analysis revealed that febrile patients were less likely to experience an unplanned ICU transfer than those without fever. The same association was found in multivariable analysis with only marginal significance (adjusted relative risk 0.68; 95% confidence interval 0.45–1.01; P = .058). There was no difference in the CDE risk for febrile versus afebrile patients (adjusted relative risk 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.43–1.44; P = .44).CONCLUSIONS:At our institution, patients with an elevated PEWS appeared less likely to experience an unplanned ICU transfer if they were febrile. We were underpowered to evaluate the effect on CDEs. These findings contributed to our recognition that (1) PEWS may not include all relevant clinical factors used for clinical decision-making regarding care escalation and (2) further study is needed in this area.

OBJECTIVES:Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are a manifestation of conversion disorder among children but can be difficult to distinguish from epilepsy. We sought to identify characteristics that differentiate children with PNES from those with epilepsy.METHODS:We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children admitted with epilepsy or PNES to 45 children’s hospitals from 2004 to 2014. Children with PNES (n = 399) versus those with epilepsy (n = 13 241) were compared on demographic and clinical characteristics, testing, treatment, and health care use. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression was used to identify characteristics associated with PNES diagnosis.RESULTS:Children with PNES were more likely to be female (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–3.0), older (aOR 3.8; 95% CI 2.7–5.3 for 14–16 years old), African American (aOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.5–2.7), and have diagnosis codes for psychiatric disorders (aOR 7.1; 95% CI 5.6–9.1) and pain (aOR 2.6; 95% CI 1.9–3.4). They were also more likely to be admitted in the fall (aOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.4–2.8) or spring (aOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4–2.6) versus summer. Total adjusted hospitalization costs were greater for children with epilepsy ($4724, 95% CI $4413–$5057 vs $5326, 95% CI $5259–$5393; P = .001); length of stay was similar.CONCLUSIONS:Demographic and clinical characteristics differed among children with PNES versus those with epilepsy, including significantly increased odds of psychiatric and pain diagnoses among children with PNES. To better inform treatment and prognostication for children with PNES, research is needed to understand reasons for these differences, seasonal admission patterns, and the relationship between PNES and other psychiatric disorders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common and expensive cause of hospitalization among US children, many of whom receive a codiagnosis of acute asthma. The objective of this study was to describe demographic characteristics, cost, length of stay (LOS), and adherence to clinical guidelines among these groups and to compare health care utilization and guideline adherence between them. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study using data from the Pediatric Health Information System. Children aged 2 to 18 who were hospitalized with uncomplicated CAP from July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2012 were included. Demographics, LOS, total standardized cost, and clinical guideline adherence were compared between patients with CAP only and CAP plus acute asthma. RESULTS: Among the 25 124 admissions, 57% were diagnosed with CAP only; 43% had a codiagnosis of acute asthma. The geometric mean for standardized cost was $4830; for LOS, it was 2.01 days. Eighty-four percent of patients had chest radiographs; CAP+acute asthma patients were less likely to have a blood culture performed (36% vs 62%, respectively) and more likely not to have a complete blood count performed (49% vs 27%, respectively). Greater guideline adherence was associated with higher cost at the patient-level but lower average cost per hospitalization at the hospital level. CAP+acute asthma patients had higher relative costs (11.8%) and LOS (5.6%) within hospitals and had more cost variation across hospitals, compared with patients with CAP only. CONCLUSIONS: A codiagnosis of acute asthma is common for children with CAP. This could be from misdiagnosis or co-occurrence. Diagnostic and/or management variability appears to be greater in patients with CAP+asthma, which may increase resource utilization and LOS for these patients.

To understand characteristics of pediatric hospitalist (PH) involvement in the care of children admitted to surgical services and explore surgeons' perspectives of PH effectiveness, we conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey of pediatric surgical (PS) and pediatric orthopedic subspecialists (OS) from professional organizations. We used basic analyses to compare responses between the 2 surgical groups. The initial response rate was 48% (291/606) for PS and 59% (415/706) for OS. Among 185 PS and 212 OS unique programs, PH were routinely engaged (69% and 75%) in the care of surgical patients, particularly in patients with medical complexity (64% PS vs 81% OS; P = .003). PS and OS perceived positive PH impact on care coordination and comorbidity management but little on pain management or length of stay. OS were more likely than PS to view PH involvement positively (64% vs 42%; P < .001). Further research on care models, especially for children with medical complexity, is needed.

Purpose: Variation in postoperative pain management for children undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic (AIS) or neuromuscular (NMS) scoliosis likely impacts outcomes, including adverse events from opioid use or hospital-acquired conditions. Evidence to support strategies that most effectively minimize prolonged intravenous (IV) opioids and hospitalizations is lacking. Our objectives were to describe variation in use of adjuvant therapies for managing postoperative pain in in patients undergoing PSF and determine the association between use of …

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Croup is a clinical diagnosis, and the available evidence suggests that, except in rare cases, ancillary testing, such as radiologic imaging, is not helpful. Given the paucity of inpatient-specific evidence for croup care, we hypothesized that there would be marked variability in the use of not routinely indicated resources (NRIRs). Our primary study objective was to describe the variation and predictors of variation in the use of NRIRs. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study that used the Pediatric Health Information System database of generally healthy inpatients with croup aged 6 months to 15 years who were admitted between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2014. We measured variability in the use of NRIRs: chest and lateral neck radiographs, viral testing, parenteral steroids, and antibiotics. Risk-adjusted analysis was used to compare resource utilization adjusted for hospital-specific effects and average case mix. RESULTS: The cohort included 26 hospitals and 6236 patients with a median age of 18 months. Nine percent of patients required intensive care services, and 3% had a 30-day readmission for croup. We found marked variability in adjusted and unadjusted utilization across hospitals for all resources. In the risk-adjusted analysis, hospital-specific effects rather than patient characteristics were the main predictor of variability in the use of NRIRs. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an up to fivefold difference in NRIR utilization attributable to hospital-level practice variability in inpatient croup care. This study highlights a need for inpatient-specific evidence and quality-improvement interventions to reduce unnecessary utilization and to improve patient outcomes.

Comanagement of surgical patients is occurring more commonly among adult and pediatric patients. These systems of care can vary according to institution type, comanagement structure, and type of patient. Comanagement can impact quality, safety, and costs of care. We review these implications for pediatric surgical patients.

Study design A comparative effectiveness database study. Objective The aim of this study was to describe variation in use of adjuvant therapies for managing postoperative pain in in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and determine association between use of these therapies and patient outcomes. Summary of background data Variation in postoperative pain management for children undergoing PSF for AIS likely impacts outcomes. Minimal evidence exists to support strategies that most effectively minimize prolonged intravenous (IV) opioids and hospitalizations. Methods We included patients aged 10 to 18 years discharged from one of 38 freestanding children's hospitals participating in a national database from December 1, 2012, to January 5, 2015, with ICD9 codes indicating scoliosis and PSF procedure. Use of ketorolac, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogues (GABAa), and benzodiazepines was compared across hospitals. Hierarchical logistic regression adjusting for confounders and accounting for clustering of patients within hospitals was used to estimate association between these therapies and odds of prolonged duration of IV opioids, prolonged length of stay (LOS), and early readmissions. Results Across hospitals, use of ketorolac and GABAa was highly variable and increased over time among 7349 subjects. Use of ketorolac was independently associated with significantly lower odds of prolonged LOS [odds ratio (OR) 0.75, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.64-0.89] and prolonged duration of IV opioid (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.98). GABAa use was significantly associated with decreased odds of prolonged IV opioid use (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.53-0.75). Readmission rate at 30 days was 1.6% and most strongly associated with prolonged LOS. Conclusion In this national cohort of children with AIS undergoing PSF, patients who received postoperative ketorolac or GABAa were less likely to have prolonged IV opioid exposure. Given the rapid increase in use of adjuvant therapies without strong evidence, resources should be devoted to multicenter trials in order to optimize effectiveness and outcomes. Level of evidence 3.

BACKGROUND Readmission for surgical-site infection (SSIs) following spinal fusion for NMS impacts costs, patient risk, and family burden; however, it may be preventable. The purpose of this study was to examine variation in hospital performance based on risk-standardized 60-day readmission rates for SSI and reoperation across 39 US Children's Hospitals. METHODS Retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information Systems (PHIS) database involving children aged 10 to 18 years with ICD9 codes indicating spinal fusion, scoliosis, and neuromuscular disease discharged from 39 US children's hospitals between January 1, 2007 and September 1, 2012. Readmissions within 60 days for SSI were identified based on the presence of ICD9 codes for (1) infectious complication of device or procedure, or (2) sepsis or specific bacterial infection with an accompanying reoperation. Logistic regression models accounting for patient-level risk factors for SSI were used to estimate expected (patient-level risk across all hospitals) and predicted (weighted average of hospital-specific and all-hospital estimates) outcomes. Relative performance was determined using the hospital-specific predicted versus expected (pe) ratios. RESULTS Average volume across hospitals ranged from 2 to 23 fusions/quarter and was not associated with readmissions. Of the 7560 children in the cohort, 534 (7%) were readmitted for reoperation and 451 (6%) were readmitted for SSI within 60 days of discharge. Reoperations were associated with an SSI in 70% of cases. Across hospitals, SSI and reoperation rates ranged from 1% to 11% and 1% to 12%, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex, insurance, presence of a gastric tube, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, tracheostomy, prior admissions, number of chronic conditions, procedure type (anterior/posterior), and level (>9 or

Retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information Systems database.To determine the association between antifibrinolytic use and red cell transfusions in spinal fusion operations performed at 37 US Children's Hospitals.Evidence from randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews suggests that antifibrinolytic therapy can significantly reduce blood loss in children undergoing scoliosis surgery; however, the effectiveness of these agents as used in surgeries performed at US children's has not been studied.We included children aged 0-18 years with diagnoses indicating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) or neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) for whom a spinal fusion procedure was performed between January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2009. Patients with malignancy, trauma, coagulation disorders, or for whom a cell salvage device was employed were excluded. Multilevel logistic regression was used to determine associations between ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA), tranexamic acid (TXA), and aprotinin (APR) use and blood transfusions, controlling for patient and surgery characteristics.Cohorts consisted of 2722 AIS and 1547 NMS procedures. Antifibrinolytic use varied across hospitals (AIS 3.3%, interquartile range, 0%-42%; NMS 12 interquartile range, 0%-46%), and was significantly associated with NMS, posterior fusion, number of vertebrae fused. Overall, 15% of children received EACA, 7% TXA, and 2% APR. The median hospital-specific rate of red cell transfusions was 24% for AIS and 43% for NMS. In AIS operations, EACA use, but not TXA use, was associated with significantly lower odds of transfusion (odds ratio, 0.42; P0.001 vs. odds ratio, 1.0; P=0.8). In NMS operations, neither EACA nor TXA use was associated with a decrease in odds of red cell transfusions.The effectiveness of antifibrinolytics as used outside of clinical trials is unclear and should continue to be explored. Future prospective research is needed to evaluate which administration protocols will most benefit patients, as well as to determine the comparative effectiveness of these drugs in the context of other blood conservation strategies.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize variation in hospital resource utilization and readmission for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) across US children’s hospitals. METHODS: The study sample included a retrospective cohort of children aged 2 to 18 years with a diagnosis of DKA at 38 children’s hospitals between 2004 and 2009. The main outcomes were resource utilization as determined by total standardized cost per hospitalization, overall and non-ICU length of stay (LOS), and readmission for DKA within 30 and 365 days. RESULTS: There were 24 890 DKA admissions, and 20.3% of these were readmissions within 1 year. The mean hospital-level total standardized cost was $7142 (range $4125–$11 916). The mean hospital-level LOS was 2.5 days (1.5–3.7), and the non-ICU portion was 1.9 days (0.7–2.7). The mean hospital-level readmission within 365 days was 18.7% (6.5%–41.1%) and within 30 days was 2.5% (0.0%–7.1%). Hospital bed days overall, and in particular the non-ICU portion, accounted for the majority of the total standardized cost per hospitalization (overall 57%; non-ICU 36%) and explained most of the variation in resource use. Even after adjusting for difference in patient characteristics across hospitals, widespread differences existed across hospitals in total standardized cost, LOS, and readmission rates (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Readmission for DKA within a year of hospitalization is common. US children’s hospitals vary widely in resource use, hospital LOS, and readmission rates for patients with DKA. Our study highlights the need for additional research to understand these differences and to identify the most cost-effective strategies for managing diabetes across the continuum of care.

Background Perioperative surgical site infection (SSI) after pediatric spine fusion is a recognized complication with rates between 0.5% and 1.6% in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and up to 22% in "high risk" patients. Significant variation in the approach to infection prophylaxis has been well documented. The purpose of this initiative is to develop a consensus-based "Best Practice" Guideline (BPG), informed by both the available evidence in the literature and expert opinion, for high-risk pediatric patients undergoing spine fusion. For the purpose of this effort, high risk was defined as anything other than a primary fusion in a patient with idiopathic scoliosis without significant comorbidities. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to decrease the wide variability in SSI prevention strategies in this area, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced health care costs. Methods An expert panel composed of 20 pediatric spine surgeons and 3 infectious disease specialists from North America, selected for their extensive experience in the field of pediatric spine surgery, was developed. Using the Delphi process and iterative rounds using a nominal group technique, participants in this panel were as follows: (1) surveyed for current practices; (2) presented with a detailed systematic review of the relevant literature; (3) given the opportunity to voice opinion collectively; and (4) asked to vote regarding preferences privately. Round 1 was conducted using an electronic survey. Initial results were compiled and discussed face-to-face. Round 2 was conducted using the Audience Response System, allowing participants to vote for (strongly support or support) or against inclusion of each intervention. Agreement >80% was considered consensus. Interventions without consensus were discussed and revised, if feasible. Repeat voting for consensus was performed. Results Consensus was reached to support 14 SSI prevention strategies and all participants agreed to implement the BPG in their practices. All agreed to participate in further studies assessing implementation and effectiveness of the BPG. The final consensus driven BPG for high-risk pediatric spine surgery patients includes: (1) patients should have a chlorhexidine skin wash the night before surgery; (2) patients should have preoperative urine cultures obtained; (3) patients should receive a preoperative Patient Education Sheet; (4) patients should have a preoperative nutritional assessment; (5) if removing hair, clipping is preferred to shaving; (6) patients should receive perioperative intravenous cefazolin; (7) patients should receive perioperative intravenous prophylaxis for gram-negative bacilli; (8) adherence to perioperative antimicrobial regimens should be monitored; (9) operating room access should be limited during scoliosis surgery (whenever practical); (10) UV lights need NOT be used in the operating room; (11) patients should have intraoperative wound irrigation; (12) vancomycin powder should be used in the bone graft and/or the surgical site; (13) impervious dressings are preferred postoperatively; (14) postoperative dressing changes should be minimized before discharge to the extent possible. Conclusions In conclusion, we present a consensus-based BPG consisting of 14 recommendations for the prevention of SSIs after spine surgery in high-risk pediatric patients. This can serve as a tool to reduce the variability in practice in this area and help guide research priorities in the future. Pending such data, it is the unsubstantiated opinion of the authors of the current paper that adherence to recommendations in the BPG will not only decrease variability in practice but also result in fewer SSI in high-risk children undergoing spinal fusion. Level of evidence Not applicable.

Study design Retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System database. Objective To describe longitudinal patterns of prophylactic antibiotic use and determinants of antibiotic choice for spinal fusion surgical procedures performed at US children's hospitals. Summary of background data Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for a significant proportion of post-spinal surgery complications, particularly among children with complex conditions such as neuromuscular disease. Antimicrobial prophylaxis with intravenous cefazolin or cefuroxime has been a standard practice, but postoperative infections caused by organisms resistant to these antibiotics are increasing in prevalence. Studies describing the choice of antibiotic prophylaxis for pediatric spinal surgery are lacking. Methods We included children 6 months to 18 years of age discharged from 37 US children's hospitals between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2009, with (1) an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) procedure code indicating a spinal fusion and (2) combinations of diagnosis codes indicating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) (n = 5617) or neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) (n = 3633). After identifying antibiotics ordered on the operative day, we described variation in broad-spectrum antibiotic use over time and measured associations between patient/surgery characteristics and antibiotic choice. Results Prophylactic antibiotic choice varied across hospitals and over time. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were used in 37% of AIS and 52% of NMS operations. Seven (19%) hospitals used broad-spectrum coverage for more 80% of all cases. For NMS procedures, broad-spectrum antibiotic use was associated with patient characteristics known to be associated with high SSI risk. Use of vancomycin and broad gram-negative agents increased over time. Conclusion Broad-spectrum antimicrobial prophylaxis varied across hospitals and was often associated with known risk factors for SSI. These results highlight the need for future studies comparing the effectiveness of various prophylaxis strategies, particularly in high-risk subgroups. This research can inform the development of best practice for SSI prevention in spinal fusion procedures.

Background Cure rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have improved, but as therapy has intensified, the burden of osteonecrosis (ON) has increased. Limited data exist regarding surgical interventions for pediatric ALL patients with ON. Materials and Methods A multi-center cohort of children with newly diagnosed ALL was established with Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) data from 43 freestanding children's hospitals from 1999 to 2011. Patients with ON identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code were followed for up to 5 years after index ALL admission for the presence of ON-associated orthopedic surgical procedures. Results A cohort of 10,729 ALL patients was assembled, of which 242 (2.33%) were identified with an ICD-9 code for ON within 5 years of ALL diagnosis. Fifty-five patients (22.7%) with ON underwent orthopedic surgical intervention aimed at joint preservation (82%) or replacement (18%) with substantial practice variation by hospital in both the rate and type of surgical intervention. The majority of patients had surgical procedures while receiving maintenance therapy. None of the patients undergoing surgical intervention required intensive care unit-level care within 14 days of surgery, and there was no associated in-hospital mortality. Conclusions No standard of care exists for treatment of ALL-associated ON. While considerable practice variation exists, surgical intervention appears relatively safe.

Objective To use information about prevalence, cost, and variation in resource utilization to prioritize comparative effectiveness research topics in hospital pediatrics. Design Retrospective analysis of administrative and billing data for hospital encounters. Setting Thirty-eight freestanding US children's hospitals from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2009. Participants Children hospitalized with conditions that accounted for either 80% of all encounters or 80% of all charges. Main Outcome Measures Condition-specific prevalence, total standardized cost, and interhospital variation in mean standardized cost per encounter, measured in 2 ways: (1) intraclass correlation coefficient, which represents the fraction of total variation in standardized costs per encounter due to variation between hospitals; and (2) number of outlier hospitals, defined as having more than 30% of encounters with standardized costs in either the lowest or highest quintile across all encounters. Results Among 495 conditions accounting for 80% of all charges, the 10 most expensive conditions accounted for 36% of all standardized costs. Among the 50 most prevalent and 50 most costly conditions (77 in total), 26 had intraclass correlation coefficients higher than 0.10 and 5 had intraclass correlation coefficients higher than 0.30. For 10 conditions, more than half of the hospitals met outlier hospital criteria. Surgical procedures for hypertrophy of tonsils and adenoids, otitis media, and acute appendicitis without peritonitis were high cost, were high prevalence, and displayed significant variation in interhospital cost per encounter. Conclusions Detailed administrative and billing data can be used to standardize hospital costs and identify high-priority conditions for comparative effectiveness research—those that are high cost, are high prevalence, and demonstrate high variation in resource utilization.

Objective To explore the relationship between the volume of children admitted to the hospital with acute gastroenteritis and adherence to recommended quality indicators. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Premier Perspective clinical and financial information systems database (Premier Inc, Charlotte, North Carolina). Participants A total of 12 604 otherwise healthy children aged 3 months to 10 years hospitalized between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009, at 280 US hospitals withInternational Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revisiondiagnosis codes indicating acute gastroenteritis. Main Exposure Volume of hospital admissions per year of children with acute gastroenteritis. Main Outcome Measures Quality indicators for overuse and misuse of care in the management of acute gastroenteritis based on nationally published guidelines. These include blood testing, stool studies, use of antibiotics, and use of nonrecommended antiemetic or antidiarrheal medications (hereafter referred to as nonrecommended medications). Results Selected blood, stool, and rotavirus tests (overuse indicators) were performed in 85%, 46%, and 56% of children, respectively. Six percent of children received nonrecommended medications, and 26% received antibiotics (misuse indicators). Higher volumes of hospital admission for acute gastroenteritis were associated with less use of blood tests (odds ratio [OR], 0.67 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.50-0.89]), nonrecommended medications (OR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.76-0.93]), and antibiotics (OR, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.86-0.99]). Children admitted to hospitals in the 25th vs 75th percentile of patient volume had a 10%, 30%, and 10% increased chance of having blood tests, nonrecommended medications, and antibiotics ordered, respectively. Conclusions In a nationally representative sample of hospitals that care for children with acute gastroenteritis, higher patient volumes were associated with greater adherence to established quality indicators. Further investigation is needed to identify the hospital characteristics driving the volume-quality relationship for this common pediatric condition.