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New Study Evaluates Drug-Related Harm Among Hospitalized Children
A study published in the April 2008 issue of Pediatrics found that a new "trigger tool" dramatically increased the detection of adverse drug events in hospital settings. With this tool, the authors found 11.1 adverse drug events per 100 admissions, a much higher rate than previous studies found.
Twelve children’s hospitals, convened through the Child Health Corporation of America (CHCA), worked to adapt the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Adverse Drug Event (ADE) Trigger Tool for adults to more appropriately and accurately detect adverse drug events in pediatric hospital settings. The new Pediatric Adverse Drug Events (ADE) Trigger Tool can be found on CHCA's site.
Experts from the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ), provided both improvement and safety expertise in support of a CHCA collaborative improvement program to reduce the frequency of these events in pediatric hospitals.
Eliminating harm from pediatric care is one part of the bold agenda that NICHQ is leading to improve children’s healthcare. Dr. Homer commented on the release of the study:
CBS - Medical Mixups (click on Video on Demand)
NBC - Medicine mix-ups put kids at risk (Article and Video)
CNN.com from Associated Press - Study: Drug errors hurt 1 in 15 hospitalized kids
Please note: Although stated incorrectly by some media reports, neither NICHQ nor Dr. Homer created the pediatric tool nor conducted the study. We applaud the efforts of the investigators and the leadership of CHCA in creating this pediatric tool. NICHQ endorses the widespread use of this tool to detect these events as part of a comprehensive pediatric safety program.
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NICHQ’s Childhood Obesity Action Network Implementation Strategy Launched on the Heels of Assessment, Prevention and Treatment Recommendations by an Expert Panel
(Boston, MA) Today the National Initiative for Children’s Health care Quality (NICHQ) announced a bold plan to help put an end to the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic. NICHQ is partnering with leading medical and health care organizations to create an implementation strategy and an action plan to assist practitioners in implementing the comprehensive, evidence based recommendations released by the Expert Committee on the Assessment, Prevention and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity. This group, supported by the American Medical Association (AMA), Centers for Disease and Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), released these recommendations today.
“NICHQ’s Childhood Obesity Action Network has now received the evidence that defines health care’s role in addressing this epidemic,” said CEO and President of NICHQ Charles Homer, MD, MPH, a pediatrician and associate professor at Harvard University. “As an independent health care quality organization, NICHQ is now in a unique position to lead the effort in ensuring these recommendations are implemented, so ultimately our nation’s children can lead healthy productive lives,” he added.
For the complete press release, click here.
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Health Affairs Article Calls for Engagement by Entire Health Care Community to Address Obesity Epidemic
An article by Charles Homer, CEO of The National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality, and Lisa Simpson, National Director of Child Health Policy, is featured in the March/April 2007 special edition of Health Affairs focused on children's health. The article, titled “Childhood Obesity: What’s Health Care Policy Got to do with It?” comments on a report in the same issue by William Dietz and Jason Lee on work being done in childhood obesity by health plans.
The article firmly endorses the efforts by health plans in this area, and calls for much broader engagement by all elements of the health care community in addressing this epidemic. Homer and Simpson present a strong case for public and personal health systems to collaborate in their efforts, with the goal of maximizing program outcomes through shared learning and coordination. They advocate for several key health policy efforts, including enhanced reimbursement, training and tools to support health care activities.
The article also highlights NICHQ's work over the past year, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to identify promising health care practices and policies. It points to the upcoming launch of the Childhood Obesity Action Network which will continue to identify and share promising practices and policies.
Complete Article
Article Abstract
- Pediatric Quality Advocates Pledge Support to Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 5 Million Lives Campaign Children's hospitals and pediatric providers have pledged support for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 5 Million Lives Campaign by continuing to lead pediatric- specific improvement initiatives aimed at protecting children from unintended, preventable harm resulting from or contributed to by medical care. For full press release visit U.S. Newswire
- "Remaking American Medicine" recently aired on Public Service Television across the country. NICHQ was a National Partner to Remaking American Medicine, a four part prime-time television series designed to draw attention to the vast improvements being made in the quality of healthcare in America. To learn more about this national campaign and outreach program, and how to view the past broadcasts, visit the Remaking American Medicine website.
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NICHQ Project Director Doris Hanna co-authored three chapters in the just published Getting Results: Reliably Communicating and Acting on Critical Test Results, a Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety book edited by Gordon Schiff, M.D.
- In March 2006, NICHQ was awarded Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). NICHQ received exemplary compliance in several of ACCME's Essential Areas and Elements including Educational Planning and Evaluation as well as Administration. NICHQ is committed to providing high-quality, innovative activities for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals that enhance participants' skills and knowledge to enhance healthcare for children. This commitment was recognized by the ACCME and NICHQ plans to continue its tradition of providing quality continuing education to pediatric health care providers that result in systems improvement and better health outcomes for children.
- Check out The Commonwealth Fund's news brief on NICHQ's national conference call on "Keeping the Focus on Children's Health Care Quality: Six Months After the Release of the Chartbook."
- Read about the NICHQ ADHD Summit in Ambulatory Pediatrics, September/October 2004: Improving Care for Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Assessing the Impact of Self-Assessment and Targeted Training on Practice Performance.
