Haddock C, Al Maawali AG, Ting J, Bedford J, Afshar K, Skarsgard ED. Impact of Multidisciplinary Standardization of Care for Gastroschisis: Treatment, Outcomes, and Cost.
J Pediatr Surg 2018;
53:892-897. [PMID:
29499843 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2018.02.013]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
Elimination of unnecessary practice variation through standardization creates opportunities for improved outcomes and cost-effectiveness. A quality improvement (QI) initiative at our institution used evidence and consensus to standardize management of gastroschisis (GS) from birth to discharge.
METHODS
An interdisciplinary team utilized best practice evidence and expert opinion to standardize GS care. Following stakeholder engagement and education, care standardization was implemented in September 2014. A comparative cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients treated before (n=33) and after (n=24) standardization. Demographic, treatment, and outcome measures were collected from a prospective GS registry. Direct costs were estimated, and protocol compliance was audited.
RESULTS
BW, GA, and bowel injury severity were comparable between groups. Key practice changes were: closure technique (pre-88% primary fascial, post-83% umbilical cord flap; p<0.001), closure location (pre-97% OR, post-67% NICU; p<0.001), and GA avoidance (pre-0%, post-48%; p<0.001). Median post-closure ventilation days were shorter (pre-4, post-1; p<0.001), and SSI rates trended lower (pre-21%, post-8%; p=0.3) in the post-implementation group with no differences in TPN days or LOS. No significant difference was seen in average per-patient costs: pre-$85,725 ($29,974-221,061), post-$76,329 ($14,205-176,856).
CONCLUSION
Care standardization for GS enables practice transformation, cost-effective outcome improvement, and supports an organizational culture dedicated to continuous improvement.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
III.
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