Academic Children's Hospital Research Articles

Revision thoracic slide tracheoplasty: Outcomes following unsuccessful tracheal reconstruction.

Over the past decade, thoracic slide tracheoplasty (TST) has become the principal operation in the management of congenital tracheal stenosis. The purpose of this report was to describe our experience with revision TST following unsuccessful prior tracheal reconstruction. Retrospective analysis at an academic children's hospital. Patients undergoing TST on cardiopulmonary bypass between January 2005 and May 2014 were reviewed. Patients with a history of prior airway surgery were extracted for further analysis. Preoperative patient variables and postoperative outcomes were evaluated and compared between patients undergoing revision slide tracheoplasty (RTST) and a control group of 26 matched patients undergoing primary surgery TST. Twenty-six revision patients (25 referrals, one primary patient) of 162 patients reviewed over the study period met inclusion criteria. Twenty-three patients had a history of complete tracheal rings, and three patients had cartilaginous deficiency. A total of 41 airway reconstruction procedures had been performed prior to RTST. When compared to primary TST, patients undergoing RTST required fewer cardiac procedures intraoperatively, and fewer mean ventilator hours (P = .01) postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the median length of stay, requirement of >48 hours ventilation, or postoperative complications between groups. There was one nonsurgical postoperative mortality following RTST. Despite some differences in the postoperative management when compared to nonrevision cases, revision TST can be successfully performed after prior tracheal reconstruction with good postoperative outcomes. 4. Laryngoscope, 128:2181-2186, 2018.

Hypofibrinogenemia Is Associated With Poor Outcome and Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Pediatric Severe Sepsis.

Some children with sepsis exhibit a sustained hyperinflammatory response that can trigger secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome. Although hypofibrinogenemia is a shared feature of sepsis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, there are no data about fibrinogen as a biomarker to identify children with sepsis/secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome overlap. We hypothesized that hypofibrinogenemia is associated with poor outcomes and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome and has utility as a screening biomarker for this sepsis phenotype. A retrospective cohort study of patients less than or equal to 21 years treated for severe sepsis from January 2012 to December 2014. Emergency department and PICU at a single academic children's hospital. Consecutive patients with greater than or equal to one episode of hypofibrinogenemia (serum fibrinogen < 150 mg/dL) within 7 days of sepsis were compared with a random sample of patients without hypofibrinogenemia using an a priori sample size target of 190. Thirty-eight patients with hypofibrinogenemia were compared with 154 without hypofibrinogenemia. None. The primary outcome was "complicated course" (composite of 28-d mortality or ≥ two organ failures at 7 d). Secondary outcomes were 28-day mortality and fulfillment of diagnostic criteria for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome. We used Wilcoxon rank-sum, Fisher exact test, and multivariable logistic regression to compare patients with versus without hypofibrinogenemia. Patients with hypofibrinogenemia were more likely to have a complicated course (73.7% vs 29.2%; p < 0.001), 28-day mortality (26.3% vs 7.1%, p = 0.002), and meet diagnostic criteria for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (21.1% vs 1.3%; p < 0.001). After controlling for confounders, hypofibrinogenemia remained associated with complicated course (adjusted odds ratio, 8.8; 95% CI, 3.5-22.4), mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 6.0; 95% CI, 2.0-18.1), and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome (adjusted odds ratio, 27.6; 95% CI, 4.4-173). Hypofibrinogenemia was independently associated with poor outcome and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome in pediatric sepsis. Measurement of fibrinogen may provide a pragmatic biomarker to identify children with possible sepsis/secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis/macrophage activation syndrome overlap for whom further diagnostic testing and consideration of adjunctive immunomodulatory therapies should be considered.

How Often Are Healthy Newborn Discharge Criteria Followed in a Tertiary Care Academic Children's Hospital?

Purpose The time period following inpatient neonatal birth allows healthcare providers to ensure the medical wellbeing of the newborn and provide anticipatory guidance. Criteria for newborn hospital discharge have been established. In 2015, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published an updated consensus statement containing 17 discharge recommendations for healthy term newborn infants (Table 1). The purpose of this study was to identify whether the AAP recommended criteria were met prior to discharge at a tertiary care academic children’s …

How Often Are Healthy Newborn Discharge Criteria Followed in a Tertiary Care Academic Children's Hospital?

How Often Are Healthy Newborn Discharge Criteria Followed in a Tertiary Care Academic Children's Hospital?

Liver Doppler Findings in Pediatric Patients After Total Pancreatectomy and Islet Autotransplantation.

This study was intended to establish normal values for velocities in the hepatic artery and portal veins in pediatric patients after total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). A retrospective review was performed of liver Doppler studies in pediatric patients after TPIAT over 6 years at an academic children's hospital. Doppler velocities in the liver vasculature and the hepatic artery resistive index were recorded. Sixty-five pediatric patients were evaluated. There were no cases of portal vein thrombosis or other hepatic vascular complications. The mean hepatic artery peak systolic velocity was 157.6 cm/s (SE, 60.9 cm/s), with a mean resistive index of 0.57 (SE, 0.09). The mean main portal vein velocity was 31.9 cm/s (SE, 12.9 cm/s). Portal vein thrombosis is rare in pediatric patients after TPIAT. A wide range of hepatic artery and portal vein velocities are encountered in children immediately after TPIAT without hepatic vascular complications and can be considered normal.

Clival Malformations in CHARGE Syndrome.

CHARGE syndrome is a multisystemic congenital disorder, most commonly including coloboma, heart malformations, choanal atresia, developmental delay, and genital and ear anomalies. The diagnostic criteria for CHARGE syndrome have been refined with time. However, limited reports describe skull base and craniocervical junction abnormalities. Recently, a coronal clival cleft has been identified in association with CHARGE syndrome. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of clival pathology in CHARGE syndrome. In this retrospective study, the CT/MR imaging data base at a single academic children's hospital was queried for the phrase "CHARGE syndrome" during a 17-year period (2001-2017). Electronic medical records were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis. Images were assessed for skull base anomalies, specifically clival hypoplasia and dysplasia. The search yielded 42 examinations (21 CTs and 21 MRIs) from 15 distinct patients (mean age, 4.1 ± 5.6 years; range, 2 days to 19 years). CHARGE syndrome diagnosis was confirmed either by clinical and genetic testing (n = 6) or by clinical diagnosis only (n = 9). A coronal clival cleft was identified in 87% of patients (37 examinations, n = 13 patients), either partial (53%) or complete (33%). Clival hypoplasia without clefting was present in all 5 examinations from the remaining 2 patients. Clival pathology is universal in CHARGE syndrome. Coronal clival clefts are extremely common, representing a useful additional diagnostic finding. Detection of a clival cleft should alert the radiologist to examine the palate, choana, eyes, ears, and olfactory centers for other signs of CHARGE syndrome.

Foley catheters are not routinely necessary in children treated with patient-controlled analgesia following perforated appendicitis

BackgroundPatient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is often used in children with perforated appendicitis. To prevent urinary retention, some providers also routinely place Foley catheters.This study examines the necessity of this practice. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all children (≤18 years old) with perforated appendicitis and postoperative PCA from 7/2015 to 6/2016 at two academic children's hospitals. Urinary retention was defined as the inability to spontaneously void requiring straight catheterization or placement of a Foley catheter. ResultsOf 313 patients who underwent appendectomy for perforated appendicitis (Hospital 1: 175, Hospital 2: 138), 129 patients received an intraoperative Foley (Hospital 1: 22 [13%], Hospital 2: 107 [78%], p < 0.001). Age, gender, and BMI were similar between those with an intraoperative Foley and those without. There were no urinary tract infections in either group.Urinary retention rate in patients with an intraoperative Foley following removal on the inpatient unit (n = 3, 2%) and patients without an intraoperative Foley (n = 10, 5%) did not reach significance (p = 0.25). On univariate analysis, demographics, intraoperative findings, PCA specifics, postoperative abscess formation, and postoperative length of stay, were not significant risk factors for urinary retention. ConclusionsThe risk of urinary retention in this population is low despite the use of PCA. Children with perforated appendicitis do not require routine Foley catheter placement to prevent urinary retention. Level of evidenceII

Examining Workflow in a Pediatric Emergency Department to Develop a Clinical Decision Support for an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

Clinical decision support (CDS) embedded into the electronic health record (EHR), is a potentially powerful tool for institution of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in emergency departments (EDs). However, design and implementation of CDS systems should be informed by the existing workflow to ensure its congruence with ED practice, which is characterized by erratic workflow, intermittent computer interactions, and variable timing of antibiotic prescription. This article aims to characterize ED workflow for four provider types, to guide future design and implementation of an ED-based ASP using the EHR. Workflow was systematically examined in a single, tertiary-care academic children's hospital ED. Clinicians with four roles (attending, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, resident) were observed over a 3-month period using a tablet computer-based data collection tool. Structural observations were recorded by investigators, and classified using a predetermined set of activities. Clinicians were queried regarding timing of diagnosis and disposition decision points. A total of 23 providers were observed for 90 hours. Sixty-four different activities were captured for a total of 6,060 times. Among these activities, nine were conducted at different frequency or time allocation across four roles. Moreover, we identified differences in sequential patterns across roles. Decision points, whereby clinicians then proceeded with treatment, were identified 127 times. The most common decision points identified were: (1) after/during examining or talking to patient or relative; (2) after talking to a specialist; and (3) after diagnostic test/image was resulted and discussed with patient/family. The design and implementation of CDS for ASP should support clinicians in various provider roles, despite having different workflow patterns. The clinicians make their decisions about treatment at different points of overall care delivery practice; likewise, the CDS should also support decisions at different points of care.

Promoting interdisciplinary shared mental models.

Emergency Medicine (EM) and Hospital Medicine (HM) providers frequently interact when transitioning patients from the emergency department (ED) to the inpatient unit; however, there is infrequent collaboration between these subspecialties, and effective communication in EM-HM provider handover is an area for improvement. Shared mental models can enhance communication and safety. The purpose of this article is to describe the implementation of an interdisciplinary conference to allow providers to create shared mental models, and to assess the impact on attitudes and behaviours towards communication and collaboration outside the competing attentions of patient care environments. The authors instituted a quarterly interactive case-based conference at an academic tertiary care children's hospital in which EM and HM subspecialty trainees co-facilitate evidence-based interactive presentations of clinical, diagnostic or management dilemmas. The conferences were evaluated via repeated cross-sectional surveys of EM and HM providers, as well as session evaluations. Surveys included multiple-choice, Likert-scale and free-text responses to assess the degree of interaction and collaboration between the divisions and provider attitudes toward changes in clinical practice. Assessment of the EM-HM collaborative conferences demonstrated trends towards increased interaction between divisions and increased discussion about management decisions among colleagues. Two-thirds of individuals who attended at least one conference felt that having attended an interdisciplinary conference influenced future management decisions. Effective communication in EM-HM provider handover is anarea for improvement CONCLUSIONS: Interdisciplinary conferences provide a forum for cross-specialty communication to discuss management differences in a low-stress educational environment, and allow providers to develop shared mental models for effective, safe patient care.

Intimate Partner Violence Educational Materials in the Acute Care Setting: Acceptability and Impact on Female Caregiver Attitudes Toward Screening.

This study aimed to determine acceptability of intimate partner violence (IPV) materials and effect of the materials on caregiver attitudes toward IPV screening. We used an anonymous computerized survey to assess approval of IPV materials and screening, and willingness to disclose IPV in response to screening among mothers bringing a child to an urban pediatric emergency department or 2 suburban pediatric urgent care centers affiliated with a free-standing academic children's hospital. We compared responses between participants recruited before and after display of the IPV materials, as well as between subgroups, using χ2 tests. A total of 522 participated (predisplay, n = 261; postdisplay, n = 261). More subjects in the postdisplay group approved of display of IPV materials in pediatric emergency department/urgent care center restrooms (94% pre vs 98% post, P = 0.04) and examination rooms (94% pre vs 98% post, P = 0.01). We found no differences in acceptability of IPV screening between the pre and post groups (73% pre and post, P = 0.92). Willingness to disclose IPV in response to screening was higher in the postdisplay group for those with a personal IPV history (55% pre, 73% post; P = 0.02), African Americans (60% pre, 78% post; P = 0.02), and those with a high school degree or less education (66% pre, 77% post; P = 0.04). Intimate partner violence materials in this study were acceptable to most participants and did not negatively impact attitudes toward IPV screening or willingness to disclose IPV. Display of IPV materials should be considered as a component of IPV intervention.

Reducing Surgical Revisions in Intracranial Complications of Pediatric Acute Sinusitis.

Objective (1) To describe the demographics and clinical course of children with intracranial complications of sinusitis. (2) To elucidate factors that predict revision surgery in this population, such as type of initial surgery. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care academic children's hospital. Subjects and Methods A 15-year retrospective review identified 71 patients with intracranial complications of acute sinusitis. Primary outcome was need for revision surgery. Secondary outcomes were readmission, length of hospitalization, and long-term complications. Results This study is the largest to date examining this disease process. Overall, 69 (97%) patients had surgery; 33 (46%) required revision surgery. Half of the patients with frontal sinus opacification underwent frontal sinus surgery at presentation (endoscopic, trephination, or cranialization). There was no difference in revision surgery between patients who had frontal sinus surgery and those who did not. Patients with frontal sinus surgery did not have a higher rate of complications or chronic sinusitis ( P > .05). Subdural abscess was associated with multiple surgical procedures (odds ratio, 20.0; P < .01). Thirty-four patients (49%) required neurosurgery. These patients had a longer length of stay (odds ratio, 11.0; P < .01) and a higher readmission rate ( P = .02). During the mean 92-month follow-up, 22 patients (33%) had long-term complications, and there was 1 death (1.4%). Conclusion Almost half of this cohort required multiple surgical procedures. In particular, patients with subdural abscess had significantly higher rates of revision surgery. Type of frontal sinus surgery was not correlated with need for revision surgery and was not associated with an increased rate of complications.

Impact of physician-less pediatric critical care transport: Making a decision on team composition

PurposeTo explore the impact of a physician non-accompanying pediatric critical care transport program, and to identify factors associated with the selection of specific transport team compositions. Materials and methodsChildren transported to a Canadian academic children's hospital were included. Two eras (Physician-accompanying Transport (PT)-era: 2000–07 when physicians commonly accompanied the transport team; and Physician-Less Transport (PLT)-era: 2010–15 when a physician non-accompanying team was increasingly used) were compared with respect to transport and PICU outcomes. Transport and patient characteristics for the PLT-era cohort were examined to identify factors associated with the selection of a physician accompanying team, with multivariable logistic regression with triage physicians as random effects. ResultsIn the PLT-era (N=1177), compared to the PT-era (N=1490) the probability of PICU admission was significantly lower, and patient outcomes including mortality were not significantly different. Associations were noted between the selection of a physician non-accompanying team and specific transport characteristics. There was appreciable variability among the triage physicians for the selection of a physician non-accompanying team. ConclusionsNo significant differences were observed with increasing use of a physician non-accompanying team. Selection of transport team compositions was influenced by clinical and system factors, but appreciable variation still remained among triage physicians.

Standardized reporting of appendicitis-related findings improves reliability of ultrasound in diagnosing appendicitis in children.

Our objective was to increase ultrasound reliability for diagnosing appendicitis in an academic children's hospital emergency department (ED) through a multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative. A retrospective review of ultrasound use in patients diagnosed with appendicitis in our ED from 1/1/2011 to 6/30/2014 established a baseline cohort. From 8/1/2014 to 7/31/2015 a diagnostic algorithm that prioritized ultrasound over CT was used in our ED, and a standardized template was implemented for the reporting of appendicitis-related ultrasound findings by our radiologists. Of 627 patients diagnosed with appendicitis in the ED during the retrospective review, 46.1% (n=289) had an ultrasound. After implementation of the diagnostic algorithm and standardized ultrasound report, 88.4% (n=236) of 267 patients diagnosed with appendicitis had an ultrasound (p<0.01). The frequency of indeterminate results decreased from 44.3% to 13.1%, and positive results increased from 46.4% to 66.1% in patients with appendicitis (p<0.01). The sensitivity of ultrasound (indeterminate counted as negative) increased from 50.6% to 69.2% (p<0.01). Ultrasound reliability for the diagnosis of appendicitis in children can be improved through standardized results reporting. However, these changes should be made as part of a multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative to account for the initial learning curve necessary to increase experience. Level II, Study of Diagnostic Test.

Beyond Survival: Pediatric Critical Care Interventional Trial Outcome Measure Preferences of Families and Healthcare Professionals.

To identify, in addition to survival, preferred outcome measures of PICU family care providers and PICU healthcare professionals for interventional trials enrolling critically ill children, and to describe general attitudes of family care providers and healthcare professionals regarding research in the PICU. Cross-sectional survey examining subject experience with clinical research and personal preferences for outcome measures for a hypothetical interventional clinical trial. PICUs within four academic children's hospitals in the United States and Canada. Two cohorts including family members of critically ill children in PICUs (family care providers) and multidisciplinary staff working in the PICUs (healthcare professionals). Administration of a short, deidentified survey. Demographic data were collated for the two subject groups. Participants were queried regarding their attitudes related to research conducted in the PICU. In addition to survival, each group was asked to identify their three most important outcomes for an investigation examining whether or not an intervention helps seriously ill children recover. Demographics for family care providers (n = 40) and healthcare professionals (n = 53) were similarly distributed. Female respondents (79.8%) predominated. Participants (98.9%) ascertained the importance of conducting research in the PICU, but significant challenges associated with this goal in the high stress PICU environment. Both quality of life and functioning after leaving the hospital were chosen as the most preferred outcome measure, with 77.5% of family care providers and 84.9% of healthcare professionals indicating this choice. Duration of organ dysfunction was identified by 70.0% of family care providers and 40.7% of healthcare professionals as the second most preferred outcome measure. In addition to survival, long-term quality of life/functional status and duration of organ dysfunction represent important interventional trial outcome measures for both families of critically ill children, as well as the multidisciplinary team who provides critical care.

Are Foley catheters needed after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum?

BackgroundHigh narcotic requirements after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) can increase the risk of urinary retention. Placement of intraoperative Foley catheters to minimize this risk is variable. This study determines the rate of urinary retention in this population to guide future practice. Materials and MethodsWe reviewed retrospectively all patients who underwent MIRPE from January 2012 to July 2016 at 2 academic children's hospitals. Data collected included demographics, BMI, severity of the pectus defect, postoperative pain management, and the incidence of urinary retention and urinary tract infection (UTI). ResultsOf 360 total patients who underwent MIRPE, 218 had an intraoperative Foley catheter. Patients with epidural pain control were more likely to receive a Foley catheter. The urinary retention rate was 34% for patients without an intraoperative Foley, and 1% in patients after removal of an intraoperatively placed Foley. Urinary retention was greater with an epidural compared with patient-controlled anesthesia (55% vs 26%, P = .002) in the no intraoperative Foley group. No urinary tract infections were identified. Epidural pain control was the only risk factor on multivariate analysis for retention in patients without an intraoperatively Foley catheter. ConclusionIntraoperative Foley catheters obviate urinary retention without increasing the risk of urinary tract infection after MIRPE. These results will allow surgeons to better counsel patients regarding Foley placement.

Video-based Education to Reduce Distress and Improve Understanding among Pediatric MRI Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

PurposeEvaluate the effectiveness of an educational video vs. standard of care in improving relaxation and procedural understanding among pediatric patients undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure. Design and MethodsThis pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted in a large, urban academic children's hospital. Pediatric patients were randomized to receive either a 7-minute educational video or standard of care. Standardized surveys, which consisted of a 1–10 visual analog scale and open-ended questions were administered to patients to measure their level of relaxation, understanding of the procedure, and perceptions of the MRI education received. Bivariate statistics were used to compare changes in relaxation score and baseline understanding scores between study groups. Open-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis. ResultsA total of 50 pediatric patients completed the study. Improvements in relaxation scores and baseline procedural understanding scores were significantly higher among children 13–17 years of age who received the intervention compared to those that did not (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were noted in relaxation scores and procedural understanding scores among children < 13 years of age between study groups. A total of 26 patients, half from the control group and half from the intervention group responded to open-ended survey questions. Content analysis revealed that nearly all respondents perceived the educational video to increase their understanding of the MRI procedure. ConclusionsVideo-based education effectively improved the relaxation and procedural understanding of children 13–17 years of age undergoing a MRI. Practice ImplicationsNurses may use video-based education to supplement existing MRI education among older children.

Evaluation and treatment of children's laryngeal clefts

Objectives: To provide the experience about the diagnostic process and following management, and to discuss the outcome and predictors in children with laryngeal cleft (LC). Methods: A retrospective case study was conducted at an academic children's hospital. Thirty children were diagnosed as laryngeal cleft between January 2016 and April 2017.Airway evaluations were performed using both flexible and rigid endoscopy, and swallowing evaluations were performed using fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing or modified barium swallow. Results: Of 30 cases, 18 were male and 12 were female, ranging in age from birth to 8 years. Two cases were diagnosed as type 0 LC, and they were offered thickened liquid without medication. Throughout follow-up, they remained asymptomatic and showed no respiratory complications. Nineteen children were diagnosed as type Ⅰ LC. Six of them were significantly improved by anti-reflux therapy and feeding instructions. Four children were concomitant with swallowing dysfunction and/or neuromuscular disorders, and they were given a tracheotomy and routine management. Another 4 children were submitted surgical repair when routine treatment failed, and their symptoms were relieved. Five children were concomitant with larygomalacia, and their symptoms were totally ameliorated by supraglottoplasty. Three children were diagnosed as type Ⅱ LC. Two of them received surgical repair and clinically improved, and the rest one was treated by anti-reflux therapy and still under follow-up. Three children were diagnosed as type Ⅲ LC. One of them was underwent surgical repair and clinically improved. Two children were tracheotomized and treated by anti-reflux therapy. Three cases were diagnosed as type Ⅳ LC at birth and no one survived. Conclusions: Laryngeal cleft is a rare congenital anomaly manifesting with a variety of symptoms, including swallowing disorder, aspirations, dyspnea, stridor and hoarseness. Diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal clefts is a challenge. The best way to evaluate the LC is FEES by laryngeal endoscopy combined with MLB. Cases with type 0-Ⅰ mostly were significantly improved by anti-reflux therapy and feeding instructions. When routine treatment failed, surgical repair is needed. All the cases with LC type Ⅱ-Ⅲ need surgical repair as soon as possible. For type Ⅳ cases, early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and management help to reduce mortality and morbidity.

Sibling Caregivers: A Mixed Methods Study and Family-Based Intervention Model in a Pediatric Hospital

Background: Caregiving youth are minors providing significant assistance to relatives or household members who have chronic physical or mental illnesses and disabilities, yet in the US are relatively under supported. Objective: We sought to introduce a hospital-based model for screening, referral, and intervention among a population of children who care for siblings with chronic and often complex medical conditions. Methods: A descriptive, quantitative analysis was followed by a two-phase intervention (focus group and caregiver workshop) utilizing qualitative analysis in an academic children's hospital. Screening sites included the inpatient complex care team and three outpatient clinics. Results: Sibling caregivers (N=21) spent an average of 2 hours a day on weekdays and 4 hours a day on weekends caring for a brother or sister with a chronic health condition. Common activities of daily living included: helping with mobility, bathing, dressing, and toileting. Advanced tasks included: giving medication, managing oxygen delivery, gastrostomy tube care, suctioning or medical interpreting. We applied the stress process and transition conceptual framework in analyzing emergent themes from dialogue with sibling caregivers and parents. Conclusion: Key beneficial elements of our hospital-based intervention program identified by participants included: structured family-based dialogue, stress management techniques, and a peer-support environment. Interventions that target both the parent and caregiving sibling, with the goal of strengthening family communication, enhancing sense of community and understanding, and nurturing coping repertoires may help promote sibling caregiver resilience.

Improving Compliance in Obtaining Daily Weights in a Large Academic Children's Hospital.

Noncompliance in obtaining daily weights leads to delays in establishing treatment and discharge plans in pediatric populations. An inpatient gastrointestinal and endocrine nursing unit aimed to increase compliance of obtaining daily weights from baseline of 38% to 80%. The time daily weights were obtained was changed from 8 AM to an interval of time 4 PM to 6 PM. The compliance rate increased to 96% and has been sustained at an average of 94% over 24 months. This report describes a low-risk intervention that took minimal effort to implement but yielded high results to exceed the goal.

Improving Compliance in Obtaining Daily Weights in a Large Academic Children's Hospital

Improving Compliance in Obtaining Daily Weights in a Large Academic Children's Hospital