Seminars in pediatric surgery
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Variation in care and outcomes are common in the management of children with surgical diseases. Differences in the availability of resources, patient and family preferences, ever-increasing fiscal pressure, and lack of high-quality data to guide clinical decision making are just a few factors that contribute to both the over and under-utilization of healthcare resources. Identification of data-driven, value-based "best practices" that are sensitive to differences in resource availability and patient preferences may be an important first step in establishing a practical framework for reducing unwarranted practice variation. The goal of this article is to explore the causes and influence of practice variation using appendicitis as a common condition to illustrate key concepts, and to propose solutions to mitigate unwarranted practice variation while preserving the spirit of innovation necessary to advance the field.
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Semin. Pediatr. Surg. · Dec 2015
Patient-centered care and quality: Activating the system and the patient.
Patient-centered care is an expectation in our current environment, yet it is only one of the six domains that the Institute of Medicine has described as critical in redesigning the architecture of a medical system. Patients requiring long-term feeding tube access represent a particularly complex group of patients who stress the mechanisms placed within a healthcare system to optimize quality and safety. We describe the implementation of a new approach to this patient population that serves as an example of redesigning a system of care to optimize safety using the principles of patient-centered care while delivering safe, effective, timely, efficient, and equitable care.
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Semin. Pediatr. Surg. · Dec 2015
Improving surgeon wellness: The second victim syndrome and quality of care.
Improving quality of care logically involves optimizing the duty-readiness and well-being of the healthcare provider. Medical errors and poor outcomes adversely impact the involved providers, especially surgeons, as well as the patients and their families. ⋯ Mindful efforts to improve the healthcare culture and develop personal support systems can help surgeons become more resilient, provide higher quality patient care, and have longer productive professional lives. Institutional support systems are also necessary to assist "second victims" to recover from the impact of an adverse patient event.