Visits to Primary Care and Emergency Department Reliance for Foster Youth: Impact of Medicaid Managed Care

Objective

To examine the rate of access to primary and preventive care and emergency department (ED) reliance for foster youth as well as the impact of a transition from fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid to managed care (MC) on this access.

Caregiver Low Health Literacy and Nonurgent Use of the Pediatric Emergency Department for Febrile Illness

ObjectiveTo examine the association between caregiver health literacy and the likelihood of a nonurgent emergency department (ED) visit in children presenting for fever.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used the Newest Vital Sign to assess the health literacy of caregivers accompanying children with fever to the ED. Visit urgency was determined by resources utilized during the ED visit. Findings were stratified by race and child age. Chi-square and logistic regression analysis controlling for race were conducted to determine the association between low health literacy and ED visit urgency.ResultsA total of 299 caregivers completed study materials. Thirty-nine percent of ED visits for fever were nonurgent, and 63% of caregivers had low health literacy. Low health literacy was associated with a higher proportion of nonurgent ED visits for fever (44% vs 31%, odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 2.9). Low health literacy was associated with higher odds of a nonurgent visit in white and Hispanic caregivers but not in black caregivers. In regression analysis, children ≥2 years old had higher odds of a nonurgent visit if caregivers had low health literacy (adjusted odds ratio 2.0; 95% CI 1.1, 4.1); this relationship did not hold for children <2 years old (adjusted odds ratio 0.8; 95% CI 0.4, 1.8).ConclusionsNearly two-thirds of caregivers with their child in the ED for fever have low health literacy. Caregiver low health literacy is associated with nonurgent ED utilization for fever in children over 2 years of age. Future interventions could target health literacy skills regarding fever in caregivers of children ≥2 years.     

Pediatric Primary Care Relationships and Non-Urgent Emergency Department Use in Children

ObjectiveNon-urgent emergency department (ED) use contributes to healthcare costs and disrupts continuity of care. Factors influencing patient/guardian decision-making in non-urgent situations are poorly understood. We sought to determine the association of patient/guardian – primary care provider (PCP) relationship with non-urgent ED usage and explore related factors.MethodsIn an urban practice, we recruited 218 parent-child pairs and administered a survey with the PCP relationship (PDRQ-9), caregiver knowledge of office resources, and care-seeking behavior. We performed a 12-month retrospective chart review to document non-urgent ED visits. We evaluated the association of PDRQ9 and non-urgent ED usage by regression analysis.ResultsMean child age was 7.0 ± 5 years, and 32.6% of children had at least one non-urgent ED visit. Mean PDRQ9 score was 39.8 ± 7.3 and was not associated with non-urgent ED use (P = .46). Lower child age (P < .001) and shorter time coming to the PCP practice (P < .001) were both associated with increased non-urgent ED use. Only 36.4% reported usually going to their PCP when they are sick. Knowledge of office resources was limited, and when prompted with acute, non-urgent medical scenarios, in 4 of 5 scenarios, 50% or more of participants chose to go to the ED over communicating with or going to their PCP.ConclusionsWe did not find an association between patient-doctor relationship strength and non-urgent ED usage. Many patients/guardians were unaware of the practice's resources and selected the ED as first choice for acute, non-urgent medical scenarios. Additional work is needed to determine interventions to reduce non-urgent ED use.     

Pediatric Agitation in the Emergency Department: A Survey of Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators

ObjectiveAcute agitation episodes in the emergency department (ED) can be distressing for patients, families, and staff and may lead to injuries. We aim to understand availability of ED resources to care for children with acute agitation, perceived staff confidence with agitation management, barriers to use of de-escalation techniques, and desired resources to enhance care.MethodsWe conducted a survey of pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs) in EDs in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Los Angeles County, California.ResultsPECCs from 63 of 102 (61.8%) EDs responded. PECCs reported that ED staff feel least confident managing agitation due to developmental delay (DD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (52.4%). Few EDs had a separate space to care for children with mental health conditions (22.5%), a standardized agitation scale (9.6%), an agitation management guideline (12.9%), or agitation management training (24.2%). Modification of the environment was not perceived possible for 42% of EDs. Participants reported that a barrier to the use of the de-escalation techniques distraction and verbal de-escalation was perceived lack of effectiveness (22.6% and 22.6%, respectively). Desired resources to manage agitation included guidelines for medications (82.5%) and sample care pathways (57.1%).ConclusionsED PECCs report low confidence in managing agitation due to DD or ASD and limited pediatric resources to address acute agitation. Additional pediatric-specific resources and training, especially for children with DD or ASD, are needed to increase clinician confidence in agitation management and to promote high-quality, patient-centered care. Training programs can focus on the early identification of agitation and the effective use of non-invasive de-escalation strategies.     

Access to Leave Benefits for Primary Caregivers of Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Double Bind

ObjectiveFamily leave benefits are a key tool that allow parents to miss work to care for their ill children. We examined whether access to benefits varies by level of childcare responsibilities among employed parents of children with special health care needs (CSHCN).MethodsWe conducted telephone interviews with 3 successive cohorts of employed parents of CSHCN, randomly sampled from a California children's hospital. At Wave 1 (November 2003 to January 2004), we conducted 372 parent interviews. At Wave 2 (November 2005 to January 2006), we conducted 396 parent interviews. At Wave 3 (November 2007 to January 2008), we conducted 393 parent interviews. We pooled these samples for bivariate and multivariate regression analyses by using wave indicators and sample weights.ResultsParents with more childcare responsibilities (primary caregivers) reported less access to sick leave/vacation (65% vs 82%, P < .001), access to paid leave outside of sick leave/vacation (41% vs 51%, P < .05), and eligibility for Family and Medical Leave Act benefits (28% vs 44%, P < .001) than secondary caregivers. Part-time employment and female gender largely explained 2 of the 3 associations between more childcare responsibilities and less access to leave benefits. Even in the context of part-time employment, however, primary caregivers were just as likely as secondary caregivers both to miss work due to their child's illness and to report being unable to miss work when they needed to.ConclusionsDue in part to employment and gender differences, leave benefits among parents of CSHCN are skewed away from primary caregivers and toward secondary caregivers. Thus, primary caregivers may face particularly difficult choices between employment and childcare responsibilities. Reducing this disparity in access to benefits may improve the circumstances of CSHCN and their families.     

Educational Text Messages Decreased Emergency Department Utilization Among Infant Caregivers: A Randomized Trial

Objective

To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of text messages as an educational tool to reduce the prevalence of nonurgent emergency department (ED) visits among a population with high levels of low health literacy.

Improving Emergency Preparedness in Pediatric Primary Care Offices: A Simulation-Based Interventional Study

ObjectivesPediatric emergencies pose a challenge to primary care practices due to irregular frequency and complexity. Simulation-based assessment can improve skills and comfort in emergencies. Our aim was improving pediatric office emergency preparedness, as measured by adherence to the existing American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, and quality of emergency care in a simulated setting, as measured by performance checklists.MethodsThis was a single center study nested in a multicenter, prospective study measuring emergency preparedness and quality of care in 16 pediatric primary care practices and consisted of 3 phases: baseline assessment, intervention, and follow-up assessment. Baseline emergency preparedness was measured by checklist based on AAP guidelines, and quality of care was assessed using in-situ simulation. A report-out was provided along with resources addressing potential areas for improvement after baseline assessment. A repeat preparedness and simulation assessment was performed after a 6 to 10 month intervention period to measure improvement from baseline.ResultsSixteen offices were recruited with 13 completing baseline and follow-up preparedness assessment. Eight of these sites also completed baseline and follow-up simulation assessment. Median baseline preparedness score was 70% and follow-up was 75.9%. Median baseline simulation performance scores were 37.4% and 35.5% for respiratory distress and seizure scenarios, respectively. Follow-up simulation assessment scores were 73% and 76.9% respectively (P = .001).ConclusionsOur collaborative was able to successfully improve the quality of care in a simulated setting in a group of pediatric primary care offices over 6 to 10 months. Future work will focus on expansion and improving emergency preparedness.     

Utilization of Primary Care versus Specialized Care in Children with and without Chronic Illness: A Population-Based Study

ABSTRACT. Children's utilization of curative care was studied to analyse the division of responsibilities between undifferentiated primary care and specialized care. All chronically ill ( n = 510), a control group ( n = 287) and the total population 0–15 years of age ( n = 6080) in a primary care district were studied using register data. Chronically ill children comprised 8.4% of the total child population and were registered for 1/10 of the primary health care visits, 1/3 of the specialized visits, 1/3 of the hospitalizations and 112 of the in-patient days of all children. The yearly ambulatory visits were 3.7/child in the chronically ill and 1.5/child in the control group, of which 1/3 and 2/3, respectively, were to primary care. Utilization of specialized care increased with disability. Chronically ill children visited primary care mainly for acute respiratory infections but seldom for allergic or other chronic conditions.     

Optimizing Interdisciplinary Care of Pediatric Sexual Assault and Abuse in the Emergency Department: A Quality Improvement Approach

The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago identified issues with team communication, consistency of services provided, and continuity of care within the sexual abuse and assault program in the emergency department (ED) which necessitated improvement efforts. The aim of this project was to engage an interdisciplinary team to define and delineate roles and streamline clinical workflows from ED presentation to nonacute follow-up. An interdisciplinary team was convened and utilized quality improvement methodology to complete a current state analysis, develop a future state design, and prioritize interventions for improvement. The project team focused on four interventions: (1) establish a team approach with delineated roles and responsibilities; (2) develop and implement consistent workflows to reduce unwarranted variation in care; (3) expand education on the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program more broadly to the care teams in the ED; and (4) implement clinical decision support (CDS) tools to streamline the continuum of sexual assault services provided. Three of the interventions (all but education) were carried out as a comprehensive care guideline for patients presenting to the ED for evaluation. The ED implemented this care guideline in August 2019. The utilization of quality improvement methodology was effective in ensuring an organized, interdisciplinary team response for the evaluation of pediatric and adolescent sexual abuse and assault in the ED. It enabled strong buy-in from team members and ownership of the process with anticipated improvements in patient care and experiences.     

A Primary Care Approach for Adolescent Care and Counseling Services

Objective

Adolescents can have mental, emotional, and behavior problems that are a source of stress for the child as well as the family, school and community. These may disrupt the adolescent’s ability to function normally. Adolescents also have reproductive concerns especially at menarche. Considering the extent of problems of adolescents and the lack of adolescent care and counseling services, it was felt that community adolescent care counseling services should be made available. This article describes the steps involved in the setting up of Taluk model of adolescent care and counseling services.

Methods

Following steps were involved in setting up a Taluk model of adolescent care counseling service delivery system. Step I: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among Stakeholders. Step II: Conceptualization and Strategy planning for service delivery. III: Finalization of service delivery model Step IV: Workshops for finalization of TSQ-T 2008 version the tool to be used for assessing the adolescents in the ARSH clinics. Step V: Training Programme for Medical/Paramedical health staff. Step VI: Awareness programs for mothers of adolescents. Step VII: Setting up of ACS/ARSH clinics at Taluk hospitals. Step VIII: Evaluation of the utilization of services at Taluk hospitals. The clinic has been well utilized with 1,588 adolescents being seen in 2 years.

Results

Medical and Reproductive problems among adolescent girls were anemia, underweight, dysmenorrhoea, menstrual irregularities and symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, whereas among boys problems were mostly related to concerns about masturbation and its perceived ill effects. The psychosocial problems ranged from minor anxieties, sadness and adjustment problems to psychiatric disorders. Scholastic problems included poor concentration, poor study habits and low intelligence quotient.

Conclusions

The success of the clinics in these five hospitals can be replicated in other parts of the state as well as the country. These will go a long way to ameliorate the morbidity of adolescents.

     

High Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy for Bronchiolitis Across the Emergency Department and Acute Care Floor

Bronchiolitis is among the most common pediatric illnesses, and accounts for a significant burden of disease for children and families with large economic burden on the United States healthcare system. Although bronchiolitis is extremely common, treatment is varied with little foundational evidence for best practices. In the past decade the use of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has increased in use in children with acute respiratory conditions including bronchiolitis. Multiple studies of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have shown that initiation of HFNC therapy has led to decreased intubation rates. Institutions around the country have implemented local protocols on using HFNC for bronchiolitis on the pediatric acute care floor but there is little literature that supports this use. We aim to provide a review of the literature on the efficacy of HFNC and share experiences with its use outside the ICU on acute care floors.     

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Caregiver Survey to Assess Family-Centered Care in the Emergency Department

ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a family caregiver-reported survey that assesses family-centeredness of care in the context of pediatric emergency department (ED) encounters.MethodsWe created a caregiver-reported scale, incorporated content expert feedback, and iteratively revised it based on cognitive interviews with caregivers. We then field tested the scale in a survey with caregivers. We dichotomized items using top-box scoring and obtained a summary score per respondent. Using a sample of 191 caregivers recruited from 9 EDs, we analyzed internal consistency reliability, dimensionality via item response theory modeling, and convergent validity with the ED Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey.ResultsFeedback from the 9 experts led us to remove 4 items. We conducted 16 cognitive interviews and revised the survey in 4 rounds. An 11-item survey was field tested. Mean (standard deviation) respondent 11-item summary score was 77.2 (26.6). We removed 2 items given inconsistent response patterns, poor variability, and poor internal consistency, which increased coefficient alpha from 0.85 to 0.88 for the final scale. A multidimensional model fit the data best, but factor scores correlated strongly with summary scores, suggesting the latter are sufficient for quality improvement and future research. Regarding convergent validity, adjusted partial correlation between our scale's 9-item summary score and the ED CAHPS summary score was 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.67–0.81).ConclusionsPsychometric analyses demonstrated strong item performance, reliability, and convergent validity for the 9-item scale. This survey can be used to assess family-centered care in the ED for research and quality improvement purposes.