Andrea Lynn Genovesi1, Lenora M Olson1, Russell Telford1, Diana Fendya2, Ellen Schenk3, Theresa Morrison-Quinata4, Elizabeth A Edgerton4. 1. From the National Emergency Medical Services for Children Data Analysis Resource Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah and University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT. 2. Emergency Medical Services for Children National Resource Center, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC. 3. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore. 4. Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Every year, emergency medical services agencies transport approximately 150,000 pediatric patients between hospitals. During these transitions of care, patient safety may be affected and contribute to adverse events when important clinical information is missing, incomplete, or inaccurate. Written interfacility transfer policies are one way to standardize procedures and facilitate communication between the hospitals leading to improved patient safety and satisfaction for children and families. METHODS: We assessed the presence and components of written interfacility transfer guidelines and agreements for pediatric patients via a survey sent to US hospital emergency department (ED) nurse managers during 2010 and 2013. RESULTS: Although there was an increase in the presence of written interfacility transfer guidelines and agreements, a third of hospitals did not have either by 2013, and only 50% had guidelines with all recommended pediatric components. Hospitals with medium and low ED pediatric patient volumes were less likely to have written guidelines or agreements compared with hospitals with high volume. Hospitals with advanced pediatric resources, such as a pediatric emergency care coordinator or EDs designated approved for pediatrics, were more likely to have guidelines or agreements than less resourced hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was improvement over time, opportunities exist for increasing the presence of written interfacility transfer guidelines as well as agreements for pediatric patients. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether improved delivery of patient care is associated with the presence of written interfacility transfer guidelines and agreements and to identify other elements in the process to ensure optimal pediatric patient care.
OBJECTIVE: Every year, emergency medical services agencies transport approximately 150,000 pediatric patients between hospitals. During these transitions of care, patient safety may be affected and contribute to adverse events when important clinical information is missing, incomplete, or inaccurate. Written interfacility transfer policies are one way to standardize procedures and facilitate communication between the hospitals leading to improved patient safety and satisfaction for children and families. METHODS: We assessed the presence and components of written interfacility transfer guidelines and agreements for pediatric patients via a survey sent to US hospital emergency department (ED) nurse managers during 2010 and 2013. RESULTS: Although there was an increase in the presence of written interfacility transfer guidelines and agreements, a third of hospitals did not have either by 2013, and only 50% had guidelines with all recommended pediatric components. Hospitals with medium and low ED pediatric patient volumes were less likely to have written guidelines or agreements compared with hospitals with high volume. Hospitals with advanced pediatric resources, such as a pediatric emergency care coordinator or EDs designated approved for pediatrics, were more likely to have guidelines or agreements than less resourced hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was improvement over time, opportunities exist for increasing the presence of written interfacility transfer guidelines as well as agreements for pediatric patients. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether improved delivery of patient care is associated with the presence of written interfacility transfer guidelines and agreements and to identify other elements in the process to ensure optimal pediatric patient care.
Authors: Monica K Lieng; James P Marcin; Parul Dayal; Daniel J Tancredi; Morgan B Swanson; Sarah C Haynes; Patrick S Romano; Ilana S Sigal; Jennifer L Rosenthal Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2021-05-14 Impact factor: 4.406
Authors: Rebecca T Leeb; Robyn A Cree; Laura Aird; Roberta L DeBiasi; Rita W Driggers; Elizabeth Garbarczyk; Lynne M Mofenson; Scott Needle; Jeannie Rodriguez; Christine Curry; Francisco García; Shana Godfred-Cato; Debra Hawks; Elizabeth Rosenblum; Eric Dziuban; Mark Hudak Journal: Am J Perinatol Date: 2020-05-21 Impact factor: 1.862