Bailey K. Roberts ∙ Brendan T. Campbell ∙ Aaron R. Jensen ∙ Mauricio A. Escobar ∙ Regan F. Williams ∙ Avery Nathensf∙ Randall S. Burd ∙ Christian J. Streck ∙ Richard Falcone∙ Robert W. Letton ∙ R. Todd Maxson ∙ Mark Miller∙ Benson S. Hsu ∙ Gregory W. Albert ∙ Elizabeth Renaud∙ Nilda Garcia ∙ Julia Holmes ∙ Christopher Hoeft ∙ Chethan Sathya
Background
Quality improvement efforts across pediatric trauma centers have expanded recently in large part because of the American College of Surgeons Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program. However, consensus on quality indicators (QI) specific to pediatric trauma that measure “quality of care” in this population is lacking. This study aims to identify pediatric-specific trauma QI.
Study design
An expert panel of pediatric trauma leaders was convened. The panel met virtually to define and refine potential QI using a modified Delphi method, prioritizing indicators to include representing important QI for pediatric trauma. A comprehensive list of defined QI was created to improve the quality of pediatric trauma care.
Results
14 experts were included in the panel. After 3 rounds of anonymous voting and meetings, 52 QI were chosen, including 25 outcome, 21 process, and 6 structure variables and spanning 6 domains of quality as defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Indicators comprised 22 unchanged from pTQIP, 10 adapted from currently reported in pTQIP, and 20 new. Indicators encompassed unique treatment pathways for pediatric patients, timeliness of care, screening and prevention of future injuries, and long-term outcomes.
Conclusion
A modified Delphi method was used to develop a novel list of pediatric trauma QI to inform quality improvement and benchmarking efforts for pediatric trauma care. Analysis of outcomes is required to understand the accuracy and usefulness of these newly proposed and existing indicators. This study serves as a starting point for the incorporation of new QI within national quality improvement initiatives.
Intended audience: Healthcare professionals and clinicians.
How do we really know and measure if a hospital is giving quality care to kids at the trauma? I'm Lizzie Lee from Cincinnati Children's and this is an article you should know about. Many trauma guidelines are mostly adapted from adult trauma care, but kids are not the same as tiny adults. So a group of 14 top pediatric trauma experts came together and used a structured method called the Delphi process to debate, refine, and vote until they reached consensus. The results, a brand new set of 52 pediatric-specific quality indicators, including outcomes, timeliness of care, injury prevention, and long-term recovery. This is the first real roadmap designed just for children and it could change how hospitals measure and improve trauma care for children. Let us know what you think in the comments below and stay tuned for more articles that you should know about.
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