Nathan Stehouwer1, Angeline Sawaya2, Paul Shaniuk3, Patience White4. 1. Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, OH, United States of America; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Health Education Campus, 9501 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America. Electronic address: nathan.stehouwer@uhhospitals.org. 2. Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, OH, United States of America; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Health Education Campus, 9501 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America. 3. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Health Education Campus, 9501 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America; Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, OH, United States of America. 4. Got Transition/The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, DC, United States of America.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), particularly those with medical complexity, account for a large proportion of pediatric inpatients and are increasingly surviving to adulthood. However, few studies have evaluated the inpatient care of this population after transition to adult hospitals. This paper describes a Med-Peds Hospitalist service providing inpatient consultation for young adults with childhood conditions and offers a window into issues likely to be faced by young adults with IDD as they face increased admissions to adult hospitals. METHODS: A single center retrospective chart review was performed of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities referred to the Med-Peds consult service at a large urban adult academic medical center. FINDINGS: The most common medical recommendations provided focused on diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal, neurologic, and respiratory issues. Coordination between pediatric and adult caregivers, disposition planning, communication and family support, and guidance on weight-based dosing were also commonly provided services. DISCUSSION: Young adults with IDD face new challenges when admitted to adult hospitals. In this single-center study, several areas were identified where expert consultation could be helpful. The need for structured coordination of care for this vulnerable patient population was highlighted. Knowledgeable consultative services may be an effective intervention to address the unique needs of hospitalized young adults with IDD. APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Hospitals should consider structured inpatient programs, care-paths, or consultation from providers knowledgeable in the care of young adults with intellectual disabilities in order to improve the inpatient care of this population.
BACKGROUND: Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), particularly those with medical complexity, account for a large proportion of pediatric inpatients and are increasingly surviving to adulthood. However, few studies have evaluated the inpatient care of this population after transition to adult hospitals. This paper describes a Med-Peds Hospitalist service providing inpatient consultation for young adults with childhood conditions and offers a window into issues likely to be faced by young adults with IDD as they face increased admissions to adult hospitals. METHODS: A single center retrospective chart review was performed of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities referred to the Med-Peds consult service at a large urban adult academic medical center. FINDINGS: The most common medical recommendations provided focused on diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal, neurologic, and respiratory issues. Coordination between pediatric and adult caregivers, disposition planning, communication and family support, and guidance on weight-based dosing were also commonly provided services. DISCUSSION: Young adults with IDD face new challenges when admitted to adult hospitals. In this single-center study, several areas were identified where expert consultation could be helpful. The need for structured coordination of care for this vulnerable patient population was highlighted. Knowledgeable consultative services may be an effective intervention to address the unique needs of hospitalized young adults with IDD. APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Hospitals should consider structured inpatient programs, care-paths, or consultation from providers knowledgeable in the care of young adults with intellectual disabilities in order to improve the inpatient care of this population.