Surgical Interventions During End-of-Life Hospitalizations in Children's Hospitals
Adolescent; Age Factors; Biopsy; Catheterization; Child; Chronic Disease; Ethnicity; Hospitalization; Infant; International Classification of Diseases; Newborn Infant; Pediatric Hospitals; Preschool Child; Prosthesis Implantation; Race Factors; Retrospective Studies; Salvage Therapy; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Terminal Care; United States; Young Adult
OBJECTIVES: To characterize patterns of surgery among pediatric patients during terminal hospitalizations in children's hospitals. METHODS: We reviewed patients ≤20 years of age who died among 4 424 886 hospitalizations from January 2013-December 2019 within 49 US children's hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database. Surgical procedures, identified by International Classification of Diseases procedure codes, were classified by type and purpose. Descriptive statistics characterized procedures, and hypothesis testing determined if undergoing surgery varied by patient age, race and ethnicity, or the presence of chronic complex conditions (CCCs). RESULTS: Among 33 693 terminal hospitalizations, the majority (n = 30 440, 90.3%) of children were admitted for nontraumatic causes. Of these children, 15 142 (49.7%) underwent surgery during the hospitalization, with the percentage declining over time (P < .001). When surgical procedures were classified according to likely purpose, the most common were to insert or address hardware or catheters (31%), explore or aid in diagnosis (14%), attempt to rescue patient from mortality (13%), or obtain a biopsy (13%). Specific CCC types were associated with undergoing surgery. Surgery during terminal hospitalization was less likely among Hispanic children (47.8%; P < .001), increasingly less likely as patient age increased, and more so for Black, Asian American, and Hispanic patients compared with white patients (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of children undergo surgery during their terminal hospitalization, and accordingly, pediatric surgical care is an important aspect of end-of-life care in hospital settings. Differences observed across race and ethnicity categories of patients may reflect different preferences for and access to nonhospital-based palliative, hospice, and end-of-life care.
Traynor MD; Antiel RM; Camazine MN; Blinman TA; Nance ML; Eghtesady P; Lam SK; Hall M; Feudtner C
Pediatrics
2021
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-047464" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1542/peds.2020-047464</a>
Pediatric Perioperative DNR Orders: A Case Series in a Children's Hospital
Palliative Care; Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders; End of Life; Palliative Surgery; Perioperative Guideline Adherence
Context Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders are common among children receiving palliative care, who may nevertheless benefit from surgery and other procedures. Although anesthesia, surgery, and pediatric guidelines recommend systematic reconsideration of DNR orders in the perioperative period, data regarding how clinicians evaluate and manage DNR orders in the perioperative period is limited. Objectives Evaluate perioperative management of DNR orders at a tertiary care children�s hospital. Methods We reviewed electronic medical records for all children with DNR orders in place within 30 days of surgery at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2/1/2016 � 8/1/2017. Using standardized case report forms, we abstracted the following from physician notes: (A) patient/family wishes with respect to the DNR, (B) whether pre-operative DNRs were continued, modified, or suspended during the perioperative period, and (C) whether life threatening events occurred in the perioperative period. Based on data from these reports, we created a process flow diagram regarding DNR order decision making in the perioperative period. Results Twenty-three patients aged six days to 17 years had a DNR in place within 30 days of 29 procedures. No documented systematic reconsideration took place for 41% of procedures. DNR orders were modified for two (7%) procedures, and suspended for fifteen (51%). Three children (13%) suffered life threatening events. We identified four time points where systematic reconsideration should be documented in the medical record, recommended personnel, and important discussion points at each time point. Conclusion Opportunities exist to improve how DNR orders are managed during the perioperative period.
Brown SES; Antiel RM; Blinman TA; Shaw S; Neuman Mark D; Feudtner C
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
2019
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.01.006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.01.006</a>
The pediatric surgeon and palliative care
Palliative care is now a core component of pediatric care for children and families who are confronting serious illness with a low likelihood of survival. Pediatric surgeons, in partnership with pediatric palliative care teams, can play a pivotal role in assuring that these patients receive the highest possible quality of care. This article outlines a variety of definitions and conceptual frameworks, describes decision-making strategies and communication techniques, addresses issues of interdisciplinary collaboration and personal self-awareness, and illustrates these points through a series of case vignettes, all of which can help the pediatric surgeon perform the core tasks of pediatric palliative care.
2013-08
Feudtner C; Blinman TA
Seminars In Pediatric Surgery
2013
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2013.05.004" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2013.05.004</a>