Matthew J O'Connor1, Angela Lorts2, David Kwiatkowski3, Ryan Butts4, Aliessa Barnes5, Aamir Jeewa6, Christopher Knoll7, Matthew Fenton8, Melissa McQueen9, Melissa K Cousino10, Svetlana Shugh11, David N Rosenthal3. 1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 2. The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA. 4. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA. 5. Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA. 6. Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. 7. Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. 8. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Foundation Trust, London, UK. 9. Parent Advocate, ACTION Network. 10. Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 11. Heart Institute, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Hollywood, FL, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Learning networks have emerged in medicine as a novel organizational structure that contains elements of quality improvement, education, and research with the goal of effecting rapid improvements in clinical care. In this article, the concept of a learning network is defined and highlighted in the field of pediatric heart failure and transplantation. METHODS: Learning networks are defined, with particular attention paid to the recent creation of the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) for children with heart failure and those being supported with ventricular assist devices (VAD). RESULTS: The mission, goals, and organizational structure of ACTION are described, and recent initiatives promoted by ACTION are highlighted, such as stroke reduction initiatives, practice harmonization protocols, and use of ACTION data to support the recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of newer VAD for pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: The learning network, exemplified by ACTION, is distinguished from traditional clinical research collaboratives by contributions in research, quality improvement, patient-reported outcomes, and education, and serves as an effective vehicle to drive clinical improvement in the care of children with advanced heart failure.
BACKGROUND: Learning networks have emerged in medicine as a novel organizational structure that contains elements of quality improvement, education, and research with the goal of effecting rapid improvements in clinical care. In this article, the concept of a learning network is defined and highlighted in the field of pediatric heart failure and transplantation. METHODS: Learning networks are defined, with particular attention paid to the recent creation of the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) for children with heart failure and those being supported with ventricular assist devices (VAD). RESULTS: The mission, goals, and organizational structure of ACTION are described, and recent initiatives promoted by ACTION are highlighted, such as stroke reduction initiatives, practice harmonization protocols, and use of ACTION data to support the recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of newer VAD for pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: The learning network, exemplified by ACTION, is distinguished from traditional clinical research collaboratives by contributions in research, quality improvement, patient-reported outcomes, and education, and serves as an effective vehicle to drive clinical improvement in the care of children with advanced heart failure.
Authors: Melissa K Cousino; Heang M Lim; Cynthia Smith; Sunkyung Yu; Ray Lowery; Suzanne Viers; Amanda D McCormick; David M Peng; Karen Uzark; Kurt R Schumacher Journal: Pediatr Cardiol Date: 2022-04-04 Impact factor: 1.838