Hospital pediatrics
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Hospital pediatrics · May 2015
Observational StudyPostdischarge phone calls after pediatric hospitalization: an observational study.
Difficulties with transition from inpatient to outpatient care can lead to suboptimal outcomes for patients. We implemented a protocol for systematic follow-up phone calls to families of pediatric patients after discharge, primarily to improve care transition. We also hypothesized that the phone calls would decrease readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits after discharge and improve patient satisfaction. ⋯ Standardized, physician-performed, postdischarge phone calls identified frequent patient care issues related to difficulties with inpatient to outpatient transition, many of which were medication related. However, our study was underpowered to detect a statistically significant correlation with changes in readmission rates, ED visits, or patient satisfaction.
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Hospital pediatrics · May 2015
Association Between Implementation of a Cardiovascular Step-Down Unit and Process-of-Care Outcomes in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease.
The Joint Commission's 2009 National Patient Safety Goals aimed to improve identification of and response to clinical deterioration in hospital-ward patients. Some hospitals implemented intermediate-care units for patients without intensive care-level support needs. No studies have evaluated what effect changes associated with a move to a pediatric cardiovascular step-down unit (CVSDU) has on process-of-care outcomes. ⋯ Changes associated with a new CVSDU were associated with decreased LOS and lower rates of rapid response and code blue events for patients with congenital heart disease.