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Guttmann KF, Meshkati M, Frydman J, Smith CB, Dow L, Weintraub AS. NeoTalk: Communication Skills Training for Neonatal Clinicians. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:651-657. [PMID: 37622177 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231198507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite proven benefit, pediatric subspecialists often have not been offered formal serious illness communication skills training. We sought to: 1) develop and evaluate the impact of a communication skills course, based on the VitalTalk framework, on Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) clinicians; 2) evaluate provider comfort with key serious illness communication skills and frequency of use of those skills, before and after "NeoTalk" and; 3) explore differences and similarities between adult and pediatric serious illness communication skills courses. METHODS We developed a NICU specific communication skills course and surveyed course participants to evaluate comfort with key communication skills before and after course participation, and frequency of use of key skills before and 2 months after our course. Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to compare participant responses across time points. RESULTS 34 providers completed NeoTalk training. Complete pre- and post-course data was available for 29 participants. Participants reported increased comfort with skills including 'sharing difficult news' (P = .018), and 'responding to emotion' (P = .002). Participants did not report increased frequency in using target skills 2 months after training. CONCLUSIONS A multi-disciplinary cohort of NICU providers endorsed increased confidence in key communication skills but not increased skill application 2-months post-course completion. While a single course can successfully teach skills, additional exposure may be necessary to build new communication habits. Our experience developing NeoTalk helped elucidate some of the ways in which conversations about seriously ill infants may be different from conversations about seriously ill adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine F Guttmann
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Malorie Meshkati
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julia Frydman
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cardinale B Smith
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lindsay Dow
- Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea S Weintraub
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Lemoine S, Chabernaud JL, Mamzer MF. Re: Parents' participation in collegial meetings to discuss withholding or withdrawing treatment for their newborn: Working to improve information-sharing. Arch Pediatr 2024:S0929-693X(24)00077-0. [PMID: 38806382 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Lemoine
- Paris Fire Brigade Medical Emergency Department, Paris, France; Cordeliers Research Centre of Paris Cité University, ETREs (Ethics Research Translations) Laboratory, Paris, France.
| | | | - Marie-France Mamzer
- Cordeliers Research Centre of Paris Cité University, ETREs (Ethics Research Translations) Laboratory, Paris, France
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Mariani GL, Contrera PJ, Virasoro MDLA, Portela MC, Urquizu Handal MI, Ávila AS, Fernández AL, Fernandez Riera P, Cardigni G, Vain NE. End-of-Life Care for Newborn Infants: A Multicenter Real-Life Prospective Study. Neonatology 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38801819 DOI: 10.1159/000538814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most neonatal deaths in industrialized countries follow a process of redirection of care. The objectives of this study were to describe how neonates die in a middle-income country, whether there was redirection of care, and the reason for this decision. METHODS This was a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study. Neonates who died in the delivery room or in the neonatal intensive care unit in 97 hospitals over a 6-month period were included. After each neonatal death, one investigator interviewed a member of the healthcare team who had been involved in the end-of-life care process. Perinatal data, conditions that led to death, whether there was redirection of care, and details of the end-of-life process were recorded. RESULTS Data from 697 neonatal deaths were analyzed, which represent 80% of the total deaths occurring in Argentina in that period. The main causes of death were complications of prematurity (47%) and congenital anomalies (27%). Overall, 32% of neonates died after a process of redirection of care, and this was less frequent in the neonatal intensive care unit (28%) than in the delivery room (70%, p < 0.001). The reasons for withholding/withdrawing care were inevitable death (75%) and severe compromise of expected quality of life (25%). Redirection of care consisted in withholding therapies in 66% and withdrawal in 34%. A diagnosis of a major congenital anomaly increased the odds of redirection of care (OR 5.45; 95% CI: 3.59-8.27). CONCLUSION Most neonates who die in Argentina do so while receiving full support. Redirection of care mainly follows a condition of inevitable death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Luis Mariani
- Servicio de Neonatología Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Universitario Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pamela Judith Contrera
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sanatorio de la Trinidad San Isidro, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - María Constanza Portela
- Servicio de Neonatología Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno" (CEMIC), sede Saavedra, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Ines Urquizu Handal
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sanatorio de la Trinidad San Isidro, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sanatorio de la Trinidad Ramos Mejía, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sanatorio de la Trinidad Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Aldana Soledad Ávila
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sanatorio de la Trinidad Ramos Mejía, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Dirección de Salud Perinatal y Niñez, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Patricia Fernandez Riera
- Dirección de Salud Perinatal y Niñez, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Servicio de Neonatología, Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Cardigni
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sanatorio de la Trinidad Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Néstor Eduardo Vain
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sanatorio de la Trinidad Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Lin M, Williams D, Vitcov G, Sayeed S, DeCourcey DD, Wolfe J, Cummings C. Parent Preferences and Experiences in Advance Care Planning in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Am J Perinatol 2024; 41:e1783-e1791. [PMID: 37201532 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the preferences and experiences of bereaved parents around advance care planning (ACP) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN Single-center cross-sectional survey of bereaved parents who experienced the death of a child in the Boston Children's Hospital NICU between 2010 and 2021 was carried out. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Fisher Freeman Halton, and Wilcoxin rank sum tests were used to evaluate differences between parents who did and did not receive ACP. RESULTS Out of eligible parents, 40 out of 146 (27%) responded to our survey. Most parents (31 out of 33, 94%) rated ACP as being very important and 27 out of 33 (82%) reported having ACP discussions during their child's admission. Parents preferred initial ACP discussions to occur early in their child's illness trajectory with members of the primary NICU team, with most parents' experiences aligning with these preferences. CONCLUSION Parents value ACP discussions suggesting a further role for ACP in the NICU. KEY POINTS · NICU parents value and participate in advance care planning discussions. · Parents prefer advance care planning with members of the primary NICU, specialty, and palliative care teams. · Parents prefer advance care planning early in their child's illness trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lin
- Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Medical Center, Pediatric Palliative Care Program, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - David Williams
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Giselle Vitcov
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sadath Sayeed
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Danielle D DeCourcey
- Division of Medical Critical Care, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care and Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christy Cummings
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Lin M, Williams D, Vitcov G, Sayeed S, DeCourcey DD, Wolfe J, Cummings C. Advance Care Planning and Parent-Reported End-of-Life Outcomes in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Am J Perinatol 2024; 41:e1657-e1667. [PMID: 37116531 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the impact of advance care planning (ACP) on parent-reported end-of-life (EOL) outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN Single-center, cross-sectional mixed-methods survey study of bereaved parents who experienced the death of a child in the Boston Children's Hospital NICU between 2010 and 2021. Logistic regression, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to evaluate the relationship between ACP and parent-reported EOL outcomes. Qualitative content was analyzed through inductive coding. RESULTS A total of 40/146 (27%) of eligible parents responded to our survey. There was a significant association between ACP and improved EOL care processes and parental satisfaction with communication. Parents with ACP were more likely to report goal-concordant care and higher levels of perceived shared decision-making. Qualitatively, emerging themes in parents' descriptions of goal-concordant care included misaligned expectations and communication. Emerging themes for parental preparedness included infant symptoms, logistical aspects, impact on parents, and degrees of preparedness. For decisional regret, the primary theme was reevaluating supports. CONCLUSION ACP is associated with improved EOL care outcomes and parents qualitatively conceptualize goal-concordant care, preparedness for their child's death, and decisional regret in nuanced ways. Families should have the opportunity to participate in ACP discussions that meet their unique communication and decision-making needs. KEY POINTS · ACP is associated with improved parent-reported end-of-life outcomes.. · Parents conceptualize end-of-life care outcomes in nuanced ways.. · Families should have the opportunity to participate in ACP discussions that meet their unique needs..
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Medical Center, Pediatric Palliative Care Program, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - David Williams
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Giselle Vitcov
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sadath Sayeed
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Danielle D DeCourcey
- Division of Medical Critical Care, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care and Department of Pediatrics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christy Cummings
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Brumbaugh JE, Bann CM, Bell EF, Travers CP, Vohr BR, McGowan EC, Harmon HM, Carlo WA, Hintz SR, Duncan AF. Social Determinants of Health and Redirection of Care for Infants Born Extremely Preterm. JAMA Pediatr 2024; 178:454-464. [PMID: 38466268 PMCID: PMC10928542 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Importance Redirection of care refers to withdrawal, withholding, or limiting escalation of treatment. Whether maternal social determinants of health are associated with redirection of care discussions merits understanding. Objective To examine associations between maternal social determinants of health and redirection of care discussions for infants born extremely preterm. Design, Setting, and Participants This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of infants born at less than 29 weeks' gestation between April 2011 and December 2020 at 19 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network centers in the US. Follow-up occurred between January 2013 and October 2023. Included infants received active treatment at birth and had mothers who identified as Black or White. Race was limited to Black and White based on service disparities between these groups and limited sample size for other races. Maternal social determinant of health exposures were education level (high school nongraduate or graduate), insurance type (public/none or private), race (Black or White), and ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was documented discussion about redirection of infant care. Secondary outcomes included subsequent redirection of care occurrence and, for those born at less than 27 weeks' gestation, death and neurodevelopmental impairment at 22 to 26 months' corrected age. Results Of the 15 629 infants (mean [SD] gestational age, 26 [2] weeks; 7961 [51%] male) from 13 643 mothers, 2324 (15%) had documented redirection of care discussions. In unadjusted comparisons, there was no significant difference in the percentage of infants with redirection of care discussions by race (Black, 1004/6793 [15%]; White, 1320/8836 [15%]) or ethnicity (Hispanic, 291/2105 [14%]; non-Hispanic, 2020/13 408 [15%]). However, after controlling for maternal and neonatal factors, infants whose mothers identified as Black or as Hispanic were less likely to have documented redirection of care discussions than infants whose mothers identified as White (Black vs White adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.96) or as non-Hispanic (Hispanic vs non-Hispanic aOR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60-0.87). Redirection of care discussion occurrence did not differ by maternal education level or insurance type. Conclusions and Relevance For infants born extremely preterm, redirection of care discussions occurred less often for Black and Hispanic infants than for White and non-Hispanic infants. It is important to explore the possible reasons underlying these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E. Brumbaugh
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Carla M. Bann
- Social, Statistical and Environmental Sciences Unit, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | | | - Colm P. Travers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Betty R. Vohr
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and Warren Albert Medical School of Brown University, Providence
| | - Elisabeth C. McGowan
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and Warren Albert Medical School of Brown University, Providence
| | | | - Waldemar A. Carlo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Susan R. Hintz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, California
| | - Andrea F. Duncan
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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Lin M, Rholl E, Andescavage N, Ackerman O, Fisher D, Lanzel AF, Mahmood LA. Improving Prenatal Palliative Care Consultation Using Diagnostic Trigger Criteria. J Pain Symptom Manage 2024; 67:e137-e145. [PMID: 37858635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Three percent of pregnancies are complicated by congenital anomalies. Prenatal integration of pediatric palliative care (PPC) may be hindered by non-standardized PPC referral processes. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to improve prenatal PPC consultation using a diagnostic trigger list. MEASURES Main outcome measure was the percentage of prenatal PPC consults completed based on diagnostic trigger list eligibility. Balancing measures included stakeholder perspectives on PPC consults and products. INTERVENTION Interventions included creation and implementation of a diagnostic trigger list for prenatal PPC consultation, educational initiatives with stakeholders, and iterative modifications of our prenatal consultation process. OUTCOMES Interventions increased consultation rates ≥80% during the first six months of QI implementation (baseline vs. post-interventions) although this increase was not consistently sustained over a 12-month period. CONCLUSIONS/LESSONS LEARNED Diagnostic trigger lists improve initial rates of prenatal PPC consultation and additional interventions are likely needed to sustain this increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lin
- Division of Neonatology (M.L.), Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Erin Rholl
- Division of Neonatology (E.R.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nickie Andescavage
- Division of Neonatology (N.A.), Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; School of Medicine and Health Sciences (N.A., D.F., A.F.L., L.A.M.), George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Olivia Ackerman
- Prenatal Pediatrics Institute (O.A.), Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Deborah Fisher
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences (N.A., D.F., A.F.L., L.A.M.), George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Pediatric Palliative Care Program (D.F., A.F.L., L.A.M.), Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Ashley F Lanzel
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences (N.A., D.F., A.F.L., L.A.M.), George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Pediatric Palliative Care Program (D.F., A.F.L., L.A.M.), Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Laila A Mahmood
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences (N.A., D.F., A.F.L., L.A.M.), George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Pediatric Palliative Care Program (D.F., A.F.L., L.A.M.), Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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8
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Wilkinson DJ, Bertaud S. End of life care in the setting of extreme prematurity - practical challenges and ethical controversies. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2023; 28:101442. [PMID: 37121832 PMCID: PMC10914670 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2023.101442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
While the underlying principles are the same, there are differences in practice in end of life decisions and care for extremely preterm infants compared with other newborns and older children. In this paper, we review end of life care for extremely preterm infants in the delivery room and in the neonatal intensive care unit. We identify potential justifications for differences in the end of life care in this population as well as practical and ethical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Jc Wilkinson
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, UK; John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.
| | - Sophie Bertaud
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, UK
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Boutillier B, Biran V, Janvier A, Barrington KJ. Survival and Long-Term Outcomes of Children Who Survived after End-of-Life Decisions in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. J Pediatr 2023; 259:113422. [PMID: 37076039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate long-term outcomes of infants who survive despite life-and-death discussions with families and a decision to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining interventions (WWLST) in one neonatal intensive care unit. STUDY DESIGN Medical records for neonatal intensive care unit admissions from 2012 to 2017 were reviewed for presence of WWLST discussions or decisions, as well as the 2-year outcome of all children who survived. WWLST discussions were prospectively recorded in a specific book; follow-up to age 2 years was determined by retrospective chart review. RESULTS WWLST discussions occurred for 266 of 5251 infants (5%): 151 (57%) were born at term and 115 (43%) were born preterm. Among these discussions, 164 led to a WWLST decision (62%) and 130 were followed by the infant's death (79%). Of the 34 children (21%) surviving to discharge after WWLST decisions, 10 (29%) died before 2 years of age and 11 (32%) required frequent medical follow-up. Major functional limitations were common among survivors, but 8 were classified as functionally normal or with mild-to-moderate functional limitations. CONCLUSIONS When a WWLST decision was made in our cohort, 21% of the infants survived to discharge. By 2 years of age, the majority of these infants had died or had major functional limitations. This highlights the uncertainty of WWLST decisions during neonatal intensive care and the importance of ensuring that parents are informed of all possibilities. Additional studies including longer-term follow-up and ascertaining the family's views will be important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béatrice Boutillier
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital universitaire Robert-Debré, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France; Division of Neonatology, Centre de recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada.
| | - Valérie Biran
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital universitaire Robert-Debré, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France; Inserm UMR 1141 Neurodiderot, Université de Paris Cité, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, France
| | - Annie Janvier
- Division of Neonatology, Centre de recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada; Bureau de l'éthique Clinique (BEC), Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada; Unité d'éthique clinique, Unité de soins palliatifs, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada
| | - Keith J Barrington
- Division of Neonatology, Centre de recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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Fortney CA, Baughcum AE, Garcia D, Winning AM, Humphrey L, Cistone N, Moscato EL, Keim MC, Nelin LD, Gerhardt CA. Characteristics of Critically Ill Infants at the End of Life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:674-683. [PMID: 36480799 PMCID: PMC11079611 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: About 16,000 infants die in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) each year with many experiencing invasive medical treatments and high number of symptoms.1 To inform better management, we characterized diagnoses, symptoms, and patterns of care among infants who died in the NICU. Method: Retrospective electronic medical record (EMR) review of 476 infants who died following admission to a large regional level IV NICU in the United States over a 10-year period. Demographic, symptom, diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life characteristics were extracted. Results: About half of infants were male (55.9%, n = 266), average gestational age was 31.3 weeks (standard deviation [SD] = 6.5), and average age at death was 40.1 days (SD = 84.5; median = 12; range: 0-835). Race was documented for 65% of infants, and most were White (67.0%). One-third of infants (n = 138) were seen by fetal medicine. Most infants experienced pain through both the month and week before death (79.6%), however, infants with necrotizing enterocolitis had more symptoms in the week before death. Based on EMR, infants had more symptoms, and received more medical interventions and comfort measures during the week before death compared with the month prior. Only 35% (n = 166) received a palliative care referral. Conclusions: Although the medical profiles of infants who die in the NICU are complex, the overall number of symptoms was less than in older pediatric populations. For infants at high risk of mortality rate, providers should assess for common symptoms over time. To manage symptoms as effectively as possible, both timely and continuous communication with parents and early referral to palliative care are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A. Fortney
- College of Nursing, Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children, and Youth, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Amy E. Baughcum
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio USA
| | - Dana Garcia
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Lisa Humphrey
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio USA
| | - Nicole Cistone
- College of Nursing, Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children, and Youth, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Emily L. Moscato
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Madelaine C. Keim
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Leif D. Nelin
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio USA
| | - Cynthia A. Gerhardt
- College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- College of Medicine, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio USA
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Lin M, Sayeed S, DeCourcey DD, Wolfe J, Cummings C. The Case for Advance Care Planning in the NICU. Pediatrics 2022; 150:189893. [PMID: 36321383 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-057824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Many NICUs have reached an inflection point where infant deaths following limitation of life-sustaining treatments outnumber those following unsuccessful resuscitations, and many infants who survive continue to require intensive supports. Families of such infants with serious illness may benefit from a standardized, process-oriented approach in decisional-support. Advance care planning (ACP), or communication that supports patients, or their surrogate decision-makers, in sharing values, goals, and preferences for future medical care, is recognized as a valuable strategy in supporting adults with serious and chronic illness. Although the role of ACP in older children and adolescents is evolving, its utility has not been systematically explored in the perinatal context. This article builds a case for formalizing a role for ACP in the NICU by defining ACP and appraising recent outcomes research, reviewing the current state of parental needs for decisional support and serious illness in the NICU, and describing how ACP may address current limitations in primary and specialty pediatric palliative care and challenges for decision-making in the newborn period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lin
- Pediatric Palliative Care Program, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | - Joanne Wolfe
- Departments of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care and Pediatrics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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