Identification of educational and infrastructural barriers to prompt antibiotic delivery in febrile neutropenia: a quality improvement initiative

Background

Antibiotic administration within 60 minutes of presentation for medical care may be used as a treatment target for febrile neutropenia (FN); however, anecdotal evidence suggests this target is often missed. Few studies have examined the prevalence or causes of delay. We describe the median time to antibiotic administration at our institution, predictors of delay, and barriers to prompt administration to inform quality improvement strategies.

Procedure

A random sample of 50 episodes of FN presenting to the emergency department (ED) between 2008 and 2009 were reviewed. Times between triage, MD assessment, lab results, and antibiotic administration were recorded. Patient and ED variables were examined as possible predictors of delay. In parallel, lean methodology was used to identify system inefficiencies. A trained moderator conducted group interviews with interdisciplinary representatives involved in the emergency care of neutropenic patients to identify process barriers to prompt antibiotics.

Results

The median time from triage to antibiotics was 216 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] = 151–274 minutes). The greatest delay occurred following the reporting of lab results (152 minutes, IQR = 84–210 minutes). Only fall season predicted a longer time to antibiotics (P = 0.03). The lean process identified unnecessary areas of delay between departments.

Conclusions

Time to antibiotic administration exceeded 1 hour. The chart review and lean process suggested targets for educational and infrastructural interventions, including an ED pre‐printed order sheet, targeted combined subspecialty education between emergency and hematology/oncology staff, and family education. A mixed methodology approach represents a model for improving process efficiency and meeting “best‐practice” targets in medicine. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:431–435. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The utility of end‐of‐treatment bone marrow aspirates in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A quality improvement project

We reviewed the use, results and costs of end‐of‐treatment bone marrow aspirates (EOTBMAs) performed locally in patients diagnosed with ALL between 2000 and 2005. Of 193 patients, 188(97%) received EOTBMAs. Though 15/188(8.0%) patients experienced relapse at a median time of 1.1 years (range 0.1–4 years), no sign of relapse was detected on any EOTBMA. After communication of results to clinical staff, only 2/17 (12%) of patients with ALL finishing treatment in the subsequent 5 months received an EOTBMA (P < 0.0001). Our results confirm the futility of EOTBMAs in a large contemporary cohort. Disseminating local results may help ensure adherence to best practices. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 1305–1306. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Evaluation of a practice guideline for the management of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants: A quality improvement initiative

BACKGROUND:

The use of mechanical ventilation to treat respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants has been associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. As part of a quality improvement initiative to reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants, a new practice guideline for the management of respiratory distress syndrome was developed and adopted into practice in a neonatal intensive care unit in February 2012.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effects of implementing the new guideline in regard to the use of mechanical ventilation and surfactant, and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dypslasia.

METHODS:

An historical cohort of very preterm infants (gestational age 26⁰ to 32⁶ weeks) born one year before guideline implementation was compared with a similar cohort of infants born one year following guideline implementation. Data were collected retrospectively from the local neonatal intensive care unit database.

RESULTS:

A total of 272 preterm infants were included in the study: 129 in the preguideline cohort and 143 in the postguideline cohort. Following the implementation of the guideline, the proportion of infants treated with ongoing mechanical ventilation was reduced from 49% to 26% (P<0.001) and there was a trend toward a reduction in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (27% versus 18%; P=0.07). There was no difference in the proportion of infants treated with surfactant (54% versus 50%).

CONCLUSION:

The implementation of the practice guideline helped to minimize the use of ongoing mechanical ventilation in preterm infants.     

Incidents and errors in neonatal intensive care: a review of the literature

OBJECTIVES: To examine the characteristics of incident reporting systems in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in relation to type, aetiology, outcome and preventability of incidents. METHODS: Systematic review. Search strategy: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library. Included: relevant systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, observational studies and qualitative research. Excluded: non-systematic reviews, expert opinions, case reports and letters. PARTICIPANTS: hospital units supplying neonatal intensive care. INTERVENTION: none. Outcome: characteristics of incident reporting systems; type, aetiology, outcome and preventability of incidents. RESULTS: No relevant systematic reviews or randomised controlled trials were found. Eight prospective and two retrospective studies were included. Overall, medication incidents were most frequently reported. Available data in the NICU showed that the total error rate was much higher in studies using voluntary reporting than in a study using mandatory reporting. Multi-institutional reporting identified rare but important errors. A substantial number of incidents were potentially harmful. When a system approach was used, many contributing factors were identified. Information about the impact of system changes on patient safety was scarce. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-institutional, voluntary, non-punitive, system based incident reporting is likely to generate valuable information on type, aetiology, outcome and preventability of incidents in the NICU. However, the beneficial effects of incident reporting systems and consecutive system changes on patient safety are difficult to assess from the available evidence and therefore remain to be investigated.     

Surgical treatment of pediatric and adolescent papillary thyroid cancer: a retrospective study of 54 patients in a single center

ObjectiveIn 2015, American Thyroid Association (ATA) issued the first version of Management Guidelines for Children with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the ATA pediatric guidelines recommended surgical approach for the patient can be applied to surgical treatment of pediatric PTC in China.MethodFrom April 2012 to December 2020, clinical data of children (≤18 years) with PTC consecutively admitted and treated with initial surgery in the study's department were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThe authors found that the central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) rate was significantly higher than that in the lateral neck (83.33 % vs 62.96%, χ² = 5.704, p = 0.017) .The lymph node metastasis rate was significantly lower in cN1b (-) patients than in cN1b (+) patient (55.00% vs 100.00%, χ² = 15.263, p = 0.000); Meanwhile, the CLNM and LLNM rates of ipsilateral were significantly higher than those of contralateral central compartment (83.33?vs 57.41?%, χ² = 8.704, p = 0.003). Lymph nodes of 51 lateral lymph node dissection (LND) were analyzed, which revealed the LNM rate of cN1b (-) patients was significantly lower than that of cN1b (+) patients (55.00% vs. 100.00%, χ² = 15.263, p = 0.000).ConclusionChildren and adolescents have a higher rate of lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis. TT should be conducted in the majority of children with PTC. CND should be routinely performed; therapeutic LND is recommended for children with cN1b (+).     

Improving quality of pediatric onco-critical care: A 2-year experience using PROACTIVE at a cancer center in Jordan

PROACTIVE (PediatRic Oncology cApaCity Assessment Tool for IntensiVe CarE) is a consensus-derived tool that evaluates pediatric onco-critical care (POCC) services and identifies gaps amenable to improvement. King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), an oncology hospital in Jordan, completed PROACTIVE in 2021 and 2022. We evaluated PROACTIVE's ability to identify gaps and improve POCC services at KHCC by analyzing score changes and interviewing site leaders to understand mechanisms of improvement. Results identified three types of outcomes: direct (e.g., improved multidisciplinary communication), indirect (e.g., guidelines implementation), and other outcomes unrelated to PROACTIVE (e.g., funding mechanisms). PROACTIVE can assist institutions strengthen and monitor POCC services over time.     

Guideline for the prevention of acute nausea and vomiting due to antineoplastic medication in pediatric cancer patients

This guideline provides an approach to the prevention of acute antineoplastic‐induced nausea and vomiting (AINV) in children. It was developed by an international, inter‐professional panel using AGREE and CAN‐IMPLEMENT methods. Evidence‐based interventions that provide optimal AINV control in children receiving antineoplastic agents of high, moderate, low, and minimal emetogenicity are recommended. Recommendations are also made regarding selection of antiemetic agents for children who are unable to receive corticosteroids for AINV control, the role of aprepitant and optimal doses of antiemetic agents. Gaps in the evidence used to support the recommendations were identified. The contribution of this guideline to AINV control in children requires prospective evaluation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 1073–1082. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.