Hospital Discharge In Children Research Articles

Home Nasogastric Feeds: Feeding Status and Growth Outcomes in a Pediatric Population.

Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is a safe method for providing nutrition to children with chronic diseases. Advantages of HEN include shorter hospitalizations, lower cost, and decreased risk of malnutrition-associated complications. Follow-up after hospital discharge on HEN is limited. The purpose of this study was to look at children discharged on nasogastric (NG) feeds to assess follow-up feeding status and impact on growth. A retrospective chart review was conducted of pediatric patients discharged from Mount Sinai Medical Center on NG feeds between January 2010 and March 2013. A total of 87 patients were included. Average age was 1.2 years. The most common diagnoses were congenital heart disease (47%), metabolic disease (17%), neurologic impairment (10%), liver disease (9%), prematurity (8%), and inflammatory bowel disease (6%). At most recent follow-up, 44 (50.6%) were on full oral feeds, 8 (9.2%) were still on NG feeds, 9 (10.3%) had a gastrostomy tube placed, 9 (10.3%) were deceased, and 17 (19.5%) had transferred care or were lost to follow-up. Average time to discontinuation of NG feeds was 4.8 months. Change in body mass index from hospital discharge to follow-up visit 6 to 12 weeks after discharge was statistically significant, from a mean (SD) of 13.78 (2.82) to 14.58 (2.1) (P = .02). Change in weight z score was significant for neurologic impairment (-1.35 to -0.04; P = .03). Height z score change was significant for prematurity (-3.84 to -3.34; P = .02). There was no significant change in height or weight z scores for the other diagnoses. NG feeds can help to improve short-term growth after hospital discharge in children with chronic illnesses.

Predictors of parent post-traumatic stress symptoms after child hospitalization on general pediatric wards: A prospective cohort study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify predictors of parental post-traumatic stress symptoms following child hospitalization. MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, a sample of 107 parents completed questionnaires during their child's hospitalization on pediatric (non-intensive care) wards and again three months after discharge. Eligible parents had a child expected to be hospitalized for three or more nights. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess parent distress during the child's hospitalization, parent coping strategies and resources, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress after the hospitalization. Correlations and multiple regressions were used to determine whether parent distress during hospitalization and coping strategies and resources predicted post-traumatic stress symptoms three months after the child's discharge, while controlling for relevant covariates. ResultsThree months after the child's hospital discharge, 32.7% of parents (n=35) reported some degree of post-traumatic stress symptoms, and 21.5% (n=23) had elevated (≥34) scores consistent with a probable diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. In the multivariable model, parent anxiety and uncertainty during hospitalization and use of negative coping strategies, such as denial, venting and self-blame, were associated with higher post-traumatic stress symptoms scores at three months post-discharge, even after controlling for the child's health status. Parental anxiety and depression during hospitalization moderated the relationship between negative coping strategies and post-traumatic stress symptoms. ConclusionsMore than one quarter of parents of children hospitalized on pediatric (non-intensive care) wards experienced significant post-traumatic stress symptoms after their child's discharge. Parents’ hospital-related anxiety, uncertainty and use of negative coping strategies are potentially modifiable factors that most strongly influenced post-traumatic stress symptoms. Further research is urgently needed to test the effectiveness of different methods to provide psychological, emotional and instrumental support for parents, focusing on increasing parent coping resources and reducing distress during hospitalization.

Full Outline of UnResponsiveness Score Versus Glasgow Coma Scale in Children With Nontraumatic Impairment of Consciousness

The study was designed to compare the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness score with Glasgow Coma Scale as a predictor of mortality and poor functional outcome at hospital discharge in children with nontraumatic impairment of consciousness. Seventy children aged 5 to 18 years admitted with impaired consciousness were enrolled. The scores were applied by the Pediatric Neurology fellow within 2 hours of admission. The primary outcome studied was in-hospital mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the 2 scores. The area under the curves for Glasgow Coma Scale and Full Outline of UnResponsiveness scores were 0.916 and 0.940, respectively. However, the difference between the areas under curve for the 2 scores was not statistically significant (0.023; 95% confidence interval: -0.0115 to 0.058). Our data indicate that both the scores are good predictors for in-hospital mortality and functional outcome. However, no significant difference was observed between the ability of the 2 scores to predict the outcomes.

Hospital readmission and parent perceptions of their child's hospital discharge

To describe parent perceptions of their child's hospital discharge and assess the relationship between these perceptions and hospital readmission. A prospective study of parents surveyed with questions adapted from the care transitions measure, an adult survey that assesses components of discharge care. Participant answers, scored on a 5-point Likert scale, were compared between children who did and did not experience a readmission using a Fisher's exact test and logistic regression that accounted for patient characteristics associated with increased readmission risk, including complex chronic condition and assistance with medical technology. A tertiary-care children's hospital. A total of 348 parents surveyed following their child's hospital discharge between March and October 2010. None. Unplanned readmission within 30 days of discharge. There were 28 children (8.1%) who experienced a readmission. Children had a lower readmission rate (4.4 vs. 11.3%, P = 0.004) and lower adjusted readmission likelihood [odds ratio 0.2 (95% confidence interval 0.1, 0.6)] when their parents strongly agreed (n = 206) with the statement, 'I felt that my child was healthy enough to leave the hospital' from the index admission. Parent perceptions relating to care management responsibilities, medications, written discharge plan, warning signs and symptoms to watch for and primary care follow-up were not associated with readmission risk in multivariate analysis. Parent perception of their child's health at discharge was associated with the risk of a subsequent, unplanned readmission. Addressing concerns with this perception prior to hospital discharge may help mitigate readmission risk in children.

Alta de crianças com estoma: uma revisão integrativa da literatura

Integrative literature review study of guidelines for hospital discharge of children with a stoma. The goal was to identify existing publications on guideli...

Trends in US Hospital Stays for Streptococcus pneumoniae–associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is usually associated with diarrheal illness but can also occur in children with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection (SpHUS), particularly those with complicated pneumonia. Based on recent reports that hospital discharges for complicated pneumococcal pneumonia are increasing in US children, we studied whether discharges for SpHUS might also be increasing. We used the Kids' Inpatient Database samples from 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009 to estimate trends in US hospital discharges of children (0-18 years) for whom diagnosis codes indicated invasive pneumococcal disease, HUS, or both (SpHUS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were based on 2009 discharges. During the 5 study years, annual numbers of US hospital discharges for SpHUS approximately doubled (P = 0.025 for linear trend) and cumulatively totaled an estimated 211 discharges. In 2009, SpHUS accounted for 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.0%-6.7%) of HUS discharges, 0.7% (95% CI: 0.5%-1.0%) of invasive pneumococcal disease discharges and 3.0% (95% CI: 2.0%-3.9%) of discharges for complicated pneumococcal pneumonia. Discharges for SpHUS were more likely than those for other invasive pneumococcal disease to occur in children <3 years of age and to incur longer length of stay and greater hospital charges. SpHUS was independently associated with pneumococcal sepsis/bacteremia (age-adjusted odds ratio 3.8; 95% CI: 1.9-7.8) and complicated pneumonia (odds ratio 9.2; 95% CI: 4.1-20.7). SpHUS is an uncommon but severe illness that primarily affects young children and is strongly associated with complicated pneumococcal pneumonia. US hospital stays for SpHUS appear to be increasing along with those for complicated pneumococcal pneumonia.

Survival Trends in Pediatric In-Hospital Cardiac Arrests

Despite ongoing efforts to improve the quality of pediatric resuscitation, it remains unknown whether survival in children with in-hospital cardiac arrest has improved. Between 2000 and 2009, we identified children (<18 years of age) with an in-hospital cardiac arrest at hospitals with >3 years of participation and >5 cases annually within the national Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation registry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine temporal trends in survival to discharge. We also explored whether trends in survival were attributable to improvement in acute resuscitation or postresuscitation care and examined trends in neurological disability among survivors. Among 1031 children at 12 hospitals, the initial cardiac arrest rhythm was asystole and pulseless electrical activity in 874 children (84.8%) and ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia in 157 children (15.2%), with an increase in cardiac arrests due to pulseless electrical activity over time (P for trend <0.001). Risk-adjusted rates of survival to discharge increased from 14.3% in 2000 to 43.4% in 2009 (adjusted rate ratio per year, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.16; P for trend=0.02). Improvement in survival was driven largely by an improvement in acute resuscitation survival (risk-adjusted rates: 42.9% in 2000, 81.2% in 2009; adjusted rate ratio per year: 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.08; P for trend=0.006). Moreover, survival trends were not accompanied by higher rates of neurological disability among survivors over time (unadjusted P for trend=0.32), suggesting an overall increase in the number of survivors without neurological disability over time. Rates of survival to hospital discharge in children with in-hospital cardiac arrests have improved over the past decade without higher rates of neurological disability among survivors.

Impact of psychiatric diagnoses on hospital length of stay in children with sickle cell anemia

Patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) experience a broad range of psychiatric disorders, placing them at risk for more complicated and longer hospitalizations for vaso-occlusive crises (VOC). The current study examined the frequency of psychiatric disorders in SCA patients (ages birth to 20 years) admitted for VOC in a nationally representative sample and the association between psychiatric disorders and hospital length of stay (LOS). Patients with a primary diagnosis of SCA with crisis identified through the nationally representative Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) 2006 from the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality were included for analysis. Patients with psychiatric disorders listed as secondary diagnoses were categorized under specific psychiatric disorders (mood disorder, anxiety disorder, disruptive behavior disorder, substance use disorder). Non-parametric and regression analyses were utilized for nationally weighted data, to determine the effect of psychiatric disorders on LOS, while controlling for significant covariates. For 21,255 hospital discharges for children with SCA with crisis in 2006, the mean LOS was 4.51 days. Approximately 6% of the patients discharged had a psychiatric disorder. After adjusting for significant covariates, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and any psychiatric disorder were each associated with significantly longer LOS (P < 0.01). Substance and disruptive behavior disorders were not associated with LOS. Pediatric patients diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, specifically mood or anxiety disorders, have longer LOS for VOC. These findings suggest that future interventions aimed at managing VOC may need to consider adjunctive psychiatric assessment and intervention.

Predictors of Parental Quality of Life after Child Open Heart Surgery: A 6-Month Prospective Study

To prospectively assess parental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its predictors after child open heart surgery. Mothers (n = 135) and fathers (n = 97) of 138 children were assessed at discharge from hospital and 6 months after open heart surgery of their child. Parental HRQoL was compared with population norms. Medical, demographic, and psychosocial predictors of HRQoL were examined. In both parents, several domains of HRQoL were decreased at their child's hospital discharge with mothers showing lower HRQoL than fathers. Mental domains were more affected than physical domains. At 6 months, parental HRQoL was within or above population norms. At discharge, symptoms of post-traumatic stress and at 6 months a high impact of the child's disease on family life were associated with low mental HRQoL in both parents. In mothers, lower socioeconomic status and foreign nationality were also associated with a higher risk for low mental HRQoL at discharge. Parents' mental HRQoL is low in the immediate period after their child's open heart surgery but normalizes after 6 months. However, parents in whom the child's disease has a high impact on their family life are at increased risk for persistent low mental HRQoL.

Post-resuscitative clinical features in the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC predict the duration of survival in children with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Aim of the study Although sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) can be initially established after resuscitation from non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in some children, many of the children lose spontaneous circulation during hospital stay and do not survive to discharge. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features during the first hour after ROSC that may predict survival to hospital discharge. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 228 children who presented to the emergency department without spontaneous circulation following non-traumatic OHCA during the period January 1996 to December 2008. Among these children, 80 achieved sustained ROSC for at least 20 min. The post-resuscitative clinical features during the first hour after achieving sustained ROSC that correlated with survival, median duration of survival, and death were analyzed. Results Among the 80 children who achieved sustained ROSC for at least 20 min, 28 survived to hospital discharge and 6 had good neurologic outcomes (PCPC scale = 1 or 2). Post-resuscitative clinical features associated with survival included sinus cardiac rhythm ( p = 0.012), normal heart rate ( p = 0.008), normal blood pressure ( p < 0.001), urine output > 1 ml/kg/h ( p = 0.002), normal skin color ( p = 0.016), lack of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-induced rib fracture ( p = 0.044), initial Glasgow Coma Scale score > 7 ( p < 0.001), and duration of in-hospital CPR ≤ 10 min ( p < 0.001). Furthermore, these variables were also significantly associated with the duration of survival (all p < 0.05). Conclusions The most important predictors of survival to hospital discharge in children with OHCA who achieve sustained ROSC are a normal heart rate, normal blood pressure, and an initial urine output > 1 ml/kg/h.

Parents' perceptions and needs of children's hospital discharge information

Two linked descriptive qualitative studies, conducted 12 months apart aimed to identify parents' perceptions of discharge information relating to a recent admission of their child to hospital. Study one participants included parents (n = 7) who telephoned a paediatric telephone triage service seeking information about their child's postdischarge care. Study 2 included parents (n = 12) of children admitted to a regional hospital's general paediatric ward. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews conducted with parents following their child's discharge from hospital. These data were analysed using qualitative content analysis separately. The studies were linked in so far as the results from study one informed the modification of the design of study two and its interview protocol. Both studies revealed verbal as well as written information is helpful to parents, plain language usage is important, messages from the health-care team are sometimes inconsistent, and parents need information specific to their particular circumstances.

Corticosteroids and Mortality in Children with Bacterial Meningitis: Mongelluzzo J, Mohamad Z, Ten Have TR, Shah SS. JAMA 2008;299:2048–55

This retrospective study sought to determine if an association exists between adjuvant corticosteroid therapy (ACT) and time to death or time to hospital discharge in children with bacterial meningitis. All children discharged with a primary discharge diagnosis of bacterial meningitis between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2006 were identified from the Pediatric Health Information System, a database containing administrative data from tertiary care hospitals in 18 states and the District of Columbia.

Evaluation of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Pediatric Quality Indicators

Pediatric quality indicators were developed in 2006 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to identify potentially preventable complications in hospitalized children. Our objectives for this study were to (1) apply these algorithms to an aggregate children's hospital's discharge abstract database, (2) establish rates for each of the pediatric quality indicator events in the children's hospitals, (3) use direct chart review to investigate the accuracy of the pediatric quality indicators, (4) calculate the number of complications that were already present on admission and, therefore, not attributable to the specific hospitalization, and (5) evaluate preventability and calculate positive predictive value for each of the indicators. In addition, we wanted to use the data to set priorities for ongoing clinical investigation. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality pediatric quality indicator algorithms were applied to 76 children's hospital's discharge abstract data (1794675 discharges) from 2003 to 2005. Rates were calculated for 11 of the pediatric quality indicators from all 3 years of discharge data: accidental puncture or laceration, decubitus ulcer, foreign body left in during a procedure, iatrogenic pneumothorax in neonates at risk, iatrogenic pneumothorax in nonneonates, postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma, postoperative respiratory failure, postoperative sepsis, postoperative wound dehiscence, selected infections caused by medical care, and transfusion reaction. Subsequently, clinicians from 28 children's hospitals reviewed 1703 charts in which complications had been identified. They answered questions as to correctness of secondary diagnoses that were associated with the indicator, whether a complication was already present on admission, and whether that complication was preventable, nonpreventable, or uncertain. Across 3 years of data the rates of pediatric quality indicators ranged from a low of 0.01/1000 discharges for transfusion reaction to a high of 35/1000 for postoperative respiratory failure, with a median value of 1.85/1000 for the 11 pediatric quality indicators. Indicators were often already present on admission and ranged from 43% for infection caused by medical care to 0% for iatrogenic pneumothorax in neonates, with a median value of 16.9%. Positive predictive value for the subset of pediatric quality indicators occurring after admission was highest for decubitus ulcer (51%) and infection caused by medical care (40%). Because of the very large numbers of cases identified and its low preventability, the indicator postoperative respiratory failure is particularly problematic. The initial definition includes all children on ventilators postoperatively for >4 days with few exclusions. Being on a ventilator for 4 days would be a normal occurrence for many children with extensive surgery; therefore, the majority of the time does not indicate a complication and makes the indicator inappropriate. A subset of pediatric quality indicators derived from administrative data are reasonable screening tools to help hospitals prioritize chart review and subsequent improvement projects. However, in their present form, true preventability of these complications is relatively low; therefore, the indicators are not useful for public hospital comparison. Identifying which complications are present on admission versus those that occur within the hospitalization will be essential, along with adequate risk adjustment, for any valid comparison between institutions. Infection caused by medical care and decubitus ulcers are clinically important indicators once the present-on-admission status is determined. These complications cause significant morbidity in hospitalized children, and research has shown a high level of preventability. The pediatric quality indicator software can help children's hospitals objectively review their cases and target improvement activities appropriately. The postoperative-respiratory-failure indicator does not represent a complication in the majority of cases and, therefore, should not be included for hospital screening or public comparison. Chart review should become part of the development process for quality indicators to avoid inappropriate conclusions that misdirect quality-improvement resources.

An unexpected effect of Dermacyn on infected leg ulcers

Dermacyn Wound Care (Oculus Innovative Sciences, California, US) is a superoxidised water proven capable of destroying bacteria, viruses, moulds and spores at an efficient rate in vitro, while studies undertaken by the manufacturer have found no toxic side-effects. The product’s promotional literature claims it can heal diabetic foot ulcers and facilitate faster hospital discharge of children with burn injuries.

Parada cardiorrespiratoria secundaria a traumatismos en niños. Características y evolución

To analyze the characteristics and outcome of cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to trauma in children. We performed a secondary analysis of data from a prospective, multicenter study of cardiorespiratory arrest in children. Data were recorded according to the Utstein style. Twenty-eight children (age range: 7 days to 16 years) with cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to trauma were evaluated. The outcome variables were return of spontaneous circulation, sustained (more than 20 minutes) return of spontaneous circulation (initial survival), and survival at hospital discharge (final survival) in relation to the characteristics of the cardiorespiratory arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Neurological and general performance outcome was assessed by means of the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scale and the Pediatric Overall Performance Category scale. Return of spontaneous circulation was obtained in 18 patients (64.2 %), initial survival was achieved in 14 (50 %) and final survival was achieved in three (10.7 %) (two without neurological sequelae and one with vegetative status). Final survival was significantly higher in patients with respiratory arrest (33.3 %) than in those with cardiac arrest (4.5 %), p = 0.04. Final survival was also higher in patients with a duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation shorter than 20 minutes (27.2 %) than in the remaining patients (0 %), p =0.05. The two survivors without neurologic sequelae had respiratory arrest. Survival until hospital discharge in children with cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to trauma is lower than that in children with cardiorespiratory arrest. Patients with respiratory arrest when resuscitation is started and those with a duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation of less than 20 minutes showed better survival than the remaining patients.

National Estimates of Hospital Use by Children With HIV Infection in the United States: Analysis of Data From the 2000 KIDS Inpatient Database

The purpose of this research was to describe hospital use patterns of HIV-infected children in the United States. We analyzed a nationwide, stratified probability sample of 2.5 million hospital discharges of children and adolescents during the year 2000, weighted to 7.3 million discharges nationally. We excluded discharges after hospitalizations related to pregnancy/childbirth and their complications and discharges of neonates <1 month of age and of patients >18 years of age. Diagnoses were identified through the use of the Clinical Classification Software with grouping of related diagnoses. We estimated that there were 4107 hospitalizations of HIV-infected children in 2000 and that these hospitalizations accounted for approximately dollar 100 million in hospital charges and >30000 hospital days. Infections, including sepsis and pneumonia, were among the most frequent diagnoses in such hospitalizations, followed by diagnoses related to gastrointestinal conditions, nutritional deficiencies and anemia, fluid/electrolyte disorders, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disorders, and respiratory illnesses. Compared with hospitalizations of non-HIV-infected children, hospitalizations of HIV-infected ones were more likely to be in urban areas, in pediatric/teaching hospitals, and in the Northeast, and the expected payer was more likely to be Medicaid (77.6% vs 37.2%). Compared with children without HIV, those with HIV tended to be older (median age: 9.5 years vs 5.2 years), to have been hospitalized longer (mean: 7.8 days vs 3.9 days), and to have incurred higher hospital costs (mean: dollar 23221 vs dollar 11215); HIV-associated hospitalizations ended in the patient's death more frequently than non-HIV ones (1.8% vs 0.4%), and complications of medical care were also more common (10.8% vs 6.2%). Infections account for the majority of hospitalizations of HIV-infected children in the United States, although nutritional deficiencies, anemia and other hematologic disorders, gastrointestinal and renal disorders, and complications of medical care are also more common among hospitalized children with HIV than among those without HIV.

Cardiac Troponin I as a Predictor of Mortality for Pediatric Submersion Injuries Requiring Out-of-hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

It is difficult to predict ultimate survivors to hospital discharge in children who are successfully resuscitated after a cardiorespiratory arrest associated with a submersion injury. Serum measurements of organ injury or dysfunction may serve as a surrogate marker of the degree of hypoxic injury. We designed a prospective study whose purpose was to assess the predictive value for outcome of serum cardiac troponin I measurements after submersion injury and cardiorespiratory arrest. This is a prospective, observational study of children admitted to a postintensive care unit after experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest associated with a submersion event. Cardiac troponin I measurements were examined upon admission to the postoperative intensive care unit after successful emergency department resuscitation. Nine patients were admitted, and 2 patients (22%) survived to hospital discharge. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is 0.786 (95% confidence interval, 0.481-1.0). This suggests that cardiac troponin I has a moderate degree of discriminatory power in selecting children who did not survive to hospital discharge.

Variation in hospitalizations and hospital length of stay in children with vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease.

As a measure of morbidity of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in sickle cell disease, we used a national hospital discharge database, the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), to determine the number of hospitalizations and hospital length of stay (LOS) by age. Nationally weighted hospital discharges for VOC in children with sickle cell disease were analyzed using data from 2,500 hospitals in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) KID. Number of discharges and hospital LOS by age group were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was performed to analyze the effect of age on hospital LOS. There were 20,271 hospital discharges for children with sickle cell disease and VOC. Mean age (SD) at time of admission was 10.6 (5.38) years with 49% being males. The overall average LOS was 4.4 days. There were differences in the number of hospital discharges by age group (P < 0.001). In addition, there was a difference in LOS by age group (P < 0.0001). After controlling for potential confounders, older age was associated with a longer LOS (P < 0.0001). Older children with sickle cell disease and VOC have increased hospitalizations and longer LOS. This age effect should be considered when measuring the effect of an intervention on hospital utilization in these children.

Assessing behaviour in children emerging from anaesthesia: can we apply psychiatric diagnostic techniques?

No standardized instrument exists for the systematic analysis of emergence behaviour in children after anaesthesia. Our purpose was to evaluate children's behaviour prior to anaesthetic induction and immediately upon emergence to develop an assessment tool using psychiatric terminology and techniques. This prospective study evaluated 25 children from 2 to 9 years of age for preanaesthetic psychosocial factors that might affect behaviour. Children's behaviour was observed from admission to the surgical unit through the induction of anaesthesia. All children received a standardized premedication and induction of anaesthesia. The maintenance anaesthetic was randomized to intravenous remifentanil or inhaled isoflurane. All children underwent repair of strabismus. We assessed the behaviour of children for 30 min upon emergence from anaesthesia for symptoms of pain, distress and delirium using an assessment tool we developed guided by the principles of psychiatry as described in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Using our assessment tool, 44% of children demonstrated altered behaviour on emergence; 20% demonstrated complex symptoms with characteristics of delirium. Children anaesthetized with isoflurane had significantly higher postanaesthesia behaviour assessment scores than those anaesthetized with remifentanil (P = 0.04). Age was a significant variable; children <62 months were more prone to altered behaviour than those >62 months (P = 0.02). Scores did not correlate with preanaesthetic risk factors including preexisting psychological or social variables or observed preanaesthetic distress. There was no delay in hospital discharge in children assessed as having altered behaviour. This exploratory study suggests that postanaesthetic behaviour abnormalities with characteristics of distress or delirium can be categorized using known DSM-IV terminology; in our cohort this behaviour was dependent on age and anaesthetic technique.

Prospective evaluation of a policy of early discontinuation of antibiotics and discharge from hospital in children with cancer who develop fever

Objective. To prospectively evaluate a set of clinical care schemata that would facilitate early discontinuation of antibiotics and hospital discharge in children with cancer admitted for management of infection. Methods. Based on recent published studies identifying children with fever and neutropenia who are at ‘‘low risk’’ for infection, and studies where antibiotics were discontinued quickly in such populations. We developed a set of four clinical schemata by which children with cancer would be managed at our institution. The schemata were prospectively evaluated over a period of 15 months. Results. The schemata were evaluated in 103 consecutive admissions in 69 children with cancer, admitted for treatment of presumed infection. In 61% of cases, children could be discharged home within 5 days of admission; only 9% was re-admitted within 7 days of discharge. In 77% of cases, children could be sent home on no antibiotics; in the remaining 23%, antibiotics could be narrowed in spectrum, and the majority sent home on an oral agent. Median length of stay for the entire cohort of patients was 5 days. In children receiving prophylactic G-CSF, the use of this agent did not impact on the length of stay, the need for subsequent re-admission, or the requirement for antibiotics at time of discharge. Conclusions. Early discontinuation of antibiotics and discharge from hospital is safe, provided that the child is clinically well and afebrile. Children with a clinical or microbiologic focus can have their spectrum of coverage narrowed, and can be safely discharged on oral agents. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2001) 6, 131-137.