Medical Education Commons^™

Relationship Between Rurality And Access To Care For Families Of Hospitalized Children, Zoetta L. Mcloughlin Md

Research Days

Background: At Children’s Mercy Hospital, greater than 1 in 5 hospitalized children are from rural areas. Rural families often travel long distances for hospitalization at free-standing children’s hospitals, a median of 70 miles according to recent work. Rural families are more likely than non-rural families to experience financial insecurity, and these baseline hardships may be intensified during hospitalization due to out-of-pocket costs, lost work, inability to meet family needs, and removal from social support. However, little is known about the differences in healthcare access and resulting burdens between rural and non-rural families.

Objectives/Goal: To describe differences in demographics, health care …

Rural And Urban Caregiver Experiences Of Financial Strain And Food Insecurity During Pediatric Hospitalizations, Rachel E. Granberg

Research Days

Background: Stress is common among caregivers of hospitalized children. In addition to stress related to their child’s illness, caregivers experience stress related to financial strain and food insecurity during their child’s hospitalization. The burden of financial strain and food insecurity related to pediatric hospitalizations may vary between rural and urban populations.

Objectives/Goal: To identify financial strain and food insecurity experienced by caregivers of hospitalized children and to describe differences between rural and urban populations.

Methods/Design: A prospective cross-sectional survey enrolled a random sample of caregivers of hospitalized children between 8/31/2021 and 12/2/2022 at a single children’s hospital. Demographic information was …

Female Authorship Concordance In Academic Pediatrics, Roxana Guggenmous, Jessica L. Bettenhausen, Jessica L. Markham

Research Days

Background: Gender disparities are well described in medicine and academia. Despite a catalyzed movement towards gender equity, female physician-scientists remain at risk for experiencing biases in hiring practices, compensation, promotion, appointment to leadership positions, and achievement of extramural funding through the National Institutes of Health. In pediatrics, the female workforce has grown consistently over time, with female physicians comprising 72.3% of the workforce as of 2021, yet prior work suggests that this growth is not fully reflected in academic publications. Achieving gender parity in academic publication may help reduce gender-based disparities impacting career advancement. Therefore, we sought to describe the …

Understanding Home Visitor Attendance At Well Child Checks: A Mixed Methods Study, Rachel Segal, Sommer Rose, Marcia Dutcher, Tyler Myroniuk, Mary Moffatt, James Anderst

Research Days

Background: Early childhood home visiting programs have variable outcomes on child health across models and studies. Given this variability, novel approaches are needed to foster consistent positive outcomes. One approach is attendance of a home visitor (HV) at medical provider well child checks (WCCs) to provide a stronger link between home visiting and the medical home. This process may be assessed in an exploratory study evaluating the qualitative perceptions and initial quantitative effects of the intervention.

Objectives/Goal: Qualitatively explore perspectives of HVs attending WCCs and quantitatively evaluate effects of the practice on (1) family compliance with American Academy of Pediatrics …

Socioeconomic Factors And Picu Interventions In High Mortality Risk Asthmatics, Hanh Ho, Paul N. Bauer, Jade B. Tam-Williams

Research Days

Background: Asthma mortality rates are overall lower in children, but studies estimate 5-10% of asthmatics have refractory mortality prone asthma. Asthmatics with repeat pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions are believed to be at high mortality risk with increased health care utilization and socio-economic challenges.

Objectives/Goal: We aim to identify patients with repeat PICU admissions for status asthmaticus and characterize the levels of interventions and socio-economic status.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was done on patients with the following inclusion criteria: age 0- 18, PICU admission between January 2010 to December 2015, and a diagnosis of status asthmaticus on admission. …

Supporting Families Impacted By Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces), Jennifer Paumen, Laura Plencner, Jacqueline Kitchen

Research Days

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact a majority of individuals, with approximately two-thirds of adults having experienced 1 or more ACE.1 The health consequences of ACEs are significant, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and mental illnesses.1 These health impacts can even start as early as childhood, leading to an increased risk of learning and behavioral concerns.2,3 Recent evidence has also identified the impact that parental ACEs may have on parenting and child development,4,5,6 which in turn may lead to an intergenerational transmission of ACEs.4,7 As a nurturing caregiver relationship is key for buffering adversity,2,8 it is imperative to address …

Influencing Influenza Immunization: Qi Project In A Pediatric Resident Continuity Clinic, Brittany Moore

Research Days

Problem Statement/Question: There have been a multitude of approaches to vaccine hesitancy in regard to childhood vaccinations. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic there was a noticeable decline in influenza vaccination among children aged 6 months to 18 years. The influenza vaccination rate in the pediatric resident continuity clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospital was below the national average for pediatric patients.

Background/Project Intent (Aim Statement): The aim of this study is to increase the percentage of patients aged 6 month and older currently enrolled in ROYAL clinic receiving at least one influenza vaccine from 38.6% to 55% by January 1, …

Increasing Utilization Of Gestational Age Based Table For Initial Intubation In A Level Iv Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maribel Martinez, Dianne Lee, Christopher R. Nitkin

Research Days

Problem Statement/Question: Most providers in our unit are not using the NRP recommended method to determine the initial ETT insertion depth in neonates.

Background/Project Intent (Aim Statement): Endotracheal tube (ETT) depth in neonates is of critical importance due to significant adverse events when malpositioned. While randomized trials comparing different methods have not shown superiority of any particular method, the weight-based method (weight (kg) +6) has been found to be highly inaccurate in extremely low birth weight neonates. Furthermore, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) recommends using gestational age (GA)-based table (Kempley ST, et al, Resuscitation 2008) or nasal-tragal length for initial …

Improving Frequency Of Peer Review Of Abnormal Genital Exam Findings In Patients Undergoing Sexual Abuse Evaluation, Lyndsey Hultman, Julia G. Harris, Terra N. Frazier, Jennifer B. Hansen

Research Days

Problem Statement/Question: Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) coordinate child abuse MDTs, and 2023 CAC accreditation standards require that “all medical professionals providing services to CAC clients must demonstrate that 100% of all findings deemed abnormal or “diagnostic” of trauma from sexual abuse have undergone expert review by an advanced medical consultant.” Scheduled Case Review occurs among Children’s Mercy child abuse pediatricians (CAPs), but current practice is to review cases only upon CAP request.

Background/Project Intent (Aim Statement): Appropriate interpretation of sexual abuse exam findings is crucial for accurate diagnosis and provision of medical information to multidisciplinary child protection teams (MDTs). Medical …

Unique Endoscopic Retrieval Of A Large Rectal Foreign Body, Laurie Mccann, Jose Cocjin

Research Days

Introduction: Large rectal foreign bodies are usually difficult to extract, usually requiring operative management.

Case: A 14-year-old male presented to the ER for a rectal foreign body. Earlier in the day, he had rectal itching and inflammation. He used a cylindrical reusable ice stick (for water bottles) for topical relief, which did not work, so he placed the tube in his rectum, then he was unable to retrieve it and sought medical help. Physical exam was significant for lower abdominal pain and palpable mass just below his umbilicus, which was painful to palpate. CT abdomen/pelvis showed a large foreign body …

Improving Fluid Management Of Extreme Premature Infants By Providing A Restrictive Fluid Management Algorithm In The Nicu, Jacob S. Ward, Dena Hubbard, Nicholas Clark

Research Days

Problem Statement/Question: At our institution we found wide variability in and a lack of an evidence-based standard for fluid management in premature infants.

Background/Project Intent (Aim Statement): Excessive fluid intake in premature infants during the first week of life increases the risk of adverse events and overall mortality. Fluid restriction is recommended to help decrease morbidity and mortality in this patient population. We aimed to improve the fluid management of premature infants born < 29 weeks gestation admitted to our intensive care nursery (ICN) by implementing a fluid restriction protocol with the goal of >70% compliance over a 16-month period.

Methods (include PDSA cycles): Institution of daily weights started at beginning of baseline period. In April of 2021, we implemented a …

Hypereosinophilia With An Anterior Mediastinal Mass, Sonya Parashar, Aarti Pandya

Research Days

Background: Hypereosinophilia is defined as 1500 eosinophils/mL or above with evidence of end-organ damage due to the eosinophils at least 4 weeks apart.

Objectives/Goal: We describe a case of steroid resistant hypereosinophilia.

Methods/Design: A 3-year-old male was admitted for newly found anterior mediastinal mass and left pleural effusion. About 6 weeks prior to admission, he was seen in his primary care office for difficulty breathing. Despite the appropriate treatment for his symptoms, the patient continued to have significant respiratory symptoms and a chest x-ray showed a large left pleural effusion. He was immediately transferred to a tertiary care center and …

Bone Marrow Transplant For Macrophage Activation Syndrome In Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Shailly Gaur, Michael J. Holland, J Allyson Hays, Ibrahim A. Ahmed

Research Days

Background

The recognition of macrophage-activation-syndrome (MAS) in the setting of systemic-juvenileidiopathic-arthritis (sJIA) is complex, but a necessary distinction given emerging treatment options. With overlapping clinical manifestations including fever, end-organ involvement and lymphadenopathy, there is a focus on laboratory values to differentiate MAS from a sJIA flare. Once parameters are met, multiple treatment modalities can be considered, as monotherapy or in combination, including steroids, immunosuppression, chemotherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin, and cytokine-directed biologics. Given the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with progressive inflammation and immune dysregulation due to MAS with sJIA, it is imperative to regain control over this complication. However, these treatments …

Exploring Bidirectional Partnerships In Global Health Training Programs, Anik Patel, Pauline Kamau, Ashley Combs, Justus Simba, Megan Song Mchenry

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Graduate Medical Education Annual Report 2022-2023, Children's Mercy Kansas City

GME Annual Reports

Annual report of the Children's Mercy Hospital Graduate Medical Education department, including pediatric residency, internal medicine/pediatrics residency, fellowship programs, medical students, continuing medical education, and library services.

A Step-By-Step Guide For Mentors To Facilitate Team Building And Communication In Virtual Teams., Julia F. Aquino, Robert Riss, Sara M. Multerer, Leora N. Mogilner, Teri L. Turner

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

As collaborative work in medical education has increasingly moved online, team mentors have had to adapt their practices into the virtual environment. Fostering connection, communication and productivity on virtual teams requires specific skills and deliberate practice that differ from in-person teamwork. Drawing from best practices in business, education and medicine and also from our own experience as a virtual team, we present a guide for mentors to create and sustain successful virtual teams. Grounded in Tuckman's Five Stage Model of Team Development, we offer specific strategies for virtual team mentors to promote team cohesion, mitigate conflict, maintain productivity and leverage …

2022-2023 Pediatric Subspecialty Trainees, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Residents and Fellows Portraits

Photo composites of the graduate pediatric trainees in adolescent medicine, allergy/immunology, child abuse pediatrics, child neurology, clinical neuro-psychology, coagulation, congenital cardiac surgery, clinical child psychology, developmental-behavioral pediatrics, epilepsy, hospice & palliative care, laboratory genetics & genomics, pediatric anesthesiology, neonatal-perinatal medicine, pediatric adolescent gynecology, pediatric bioethics, pediatric cardiology, pediatric EM/child abuse, pediatric critical care medicine, pediatric dentistry, pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric hematology/oncology, pediatric hospital medicine, pediatric infectious diseases, pediatric nephrology, pediatric ophthalmology; pediatric optometry, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, pediatric pathology; pediatric pulmonology, pediatric radiology, pediatric rehabilitation, pediatric sports medicine, pediatric surgery, sleep medicine, pharmacy, pediatric residency …

Global Health Electives In The Covid-19 Era: Resuming Travel And Strengthening Global Health Academic Partnerships., Heather Haq, Amos Msekandiana, Mogomotsi Matshaba, Linoeo Thahane, Jennifer Watts, Reena Tam, Nicole St Clair, Charles Schubert, Amy Rule, Pia Pannaraj, Michael Pitt, David Oleson, Brittany Murray, Lee Morris, Joanne Mendoza, Megan Mchenry, Elizabeth Keating, Kathy Ferrer, Heather Crouse, Tania Condurache, Maneesh Batra, Adelaide Barnes, James Conway

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Variation In Thiopurine Metabolism In Hispanic Children, Kayeleigh Higgerson Do

Research Days

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. Overall survival rate is > 90% in the United States. However, ethnic and racial disparities remain. Hispanic patients have an inferior overall survival compared to non-Hispanics. The reasons for these differences remain unclear. Mercaptopurine (6MP) is a crucial drug in ALL treatment. Variations in the TMPT and NUDT15 genes lead to altered 6MP metabolism and accumulation of toxic metabolites (6TGN or 6MMPN). Each metabolite is associated with specific dose-limiting toxicities. The accumulation of 6TGN causes myelosuppression, and increased 6MMPN causes GI toxicity. While variants in these genes have been identified …

Potassium Status In Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease, Katherine L. Kurzinski

Research Days

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Background: Potassium trends are well described in adult chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperkalemia is known to be associated with increased disease progression, morbidity, and mortality. Large scale studies assessing potassium trends and the prevalence of hyperkalemia in pediatric CKD have not been performed.

Objectives/Goal: We aimed to characterize median serum potassium levels and the prevalence of hyperkalemia for each CKD stage using the CKiD cohort. The relationship of serum potassium and hyperkalemia with patient demographics, CKD etiology (glomerular or non-glomerular), presence of acidosis, and degree of proteinuria was also evaluated.

Methods/Design: Median serum potassium …

Association Of Rare Variants In Kidney Developmental Genes With Hypertension And Ckd: A Uk Biobank Study, Benjamin L. Spector

Research Days

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Background: Prior studies show chronic kidney disease (CKD) is heritable but only a few common variants have been associated with CKD and kidney dysfunction. Much of CKD heritability remains unknown and limited studies have explored the role of rare genetic variants in this missing heritability.

Objectives/Goal: Identify rare genetic variants in renal developmental genes associated with hypertension and CKD.

Methods/Design: We examined the association between rare variants in 58 candidate genes from five renal developmental compartments and presence of CKD and elevated blood pressure (BP) in 49,989 individuals using whole exome sequencing and phenotypic data …

Treatment Of Recurrent Wilms Tumor With Irinotecan/Temozolomide, Meagan Vacek

Research Days

Background: Despite improvement in relapse free survival (RFS) in recurrent Wilms tumor, the 4- year RFS rate for patients treated with vincristine/dactinomycin/doxorubicin is approximately 40%. Ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide are commonly used in relapsed solid tumors but have significant toxicities and require hospital admission for administration. Our patient focused on quality of life, and this led to exploration of other treatment options.

Objectives/Goal: Describe a case of multiply relapsed Wilms tumor with management on oral chemotherapy for improved quality of life and remission for almost 1 year.

Methods/Design: Case Report

Results: The patient is an 11-year-old female diagnosed with Wilms …

Wilms Tumor Presenting With Spontaneous Necrosis And Clostridium Perfringens Co-Infection, Ronald Palmen, Abbey Elsbernd, Kristin Palmen

Research Days

Background: Wilm’s Tumor (WT) is the most common renal malignancy of childhood. The initial presentation of WT may mimic infection or other malignancies with nonspecific symptoms including fever, abdominal/flank pain, or hematuria. This poses a diagnostic challenge for providers, particularly when both infection and malignancy are observed. We describe a case of WT with spontaneous necrosis initially obscured by overlying Clostridium perfringens infection, making diagnosis of the cancer difficult.

Case Description: A previously healthy 5-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with a two-day history of left flank pain and fevers. In the emergency department, she was tachycardic (130 bpm), …

Acute Complications In Pediatric Patients With Diabetes Admitted With Isolated Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Isolated Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State, And Mixed Hyperosmolar Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Erica Zarse

Research Days

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS), and mixed DKA and HHS (hyperosmolar DKA) are hyperglycemic emergencies for which children with diabetes mellitus (DM) are admitted to the hospital. To date, there is little evidence to guide the management of pediatric diabetic patients with hyperosmolarity.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the in-hospital complications at our institution in patients who have isolated DKA to those with a component of hyperosmolarity.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients from 01/2019 through 12/2020 admitted with DKA (serum bicarbonate ≤16 mEq/L) and/or HHS (blood glucose ≥600 mg/dL and osmolality …

Memory T Cell Populations In Human Leukemia, Sara Mcelroy

Research Days

Background: Incorporating the immune system into cancer management is an area of robust research. Treatment modalities aimed at activating cytotoxic T cells against malignancies include immune checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific T-cell engagers, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) tumor-specific T cells. Most anti-cancer T cell research is narrowly focused, but knowledge about the nature of diverse sub-populations of T cells in cancer, particularly memory T cells, is vital prior to potential incorporation into therapies. T memory stem cells (Tscm) are of interest due to their longevity and powerful abilities of self-renewal and creating the full spectrum of memory CD8+ T cells, including …

Quality Improvement Project To Improve Provider-To-Nursing Communication During Daily Rounds, Kayeleigh Higgerson Do, Sara Mcelroy Md

Research Days

Problem Statement/Question: We aim that by June 2021, our Heme/Onc resident service daily table rounds will include 80% of bedside nurses to improve communication between the provider team and bedside nurse.

Background/Project Intent (Aim Statement): Daily rounds on our Heme/Onc resident service include table rounds (discussion of overnight events and daily plan) and bedside rounds (team goes to see patients and relay daily plan). These rounds infrequently include the bedside nurse caring for the patient, leading to poor communication of the plan from the provider team. This is a problem, because it has the potential to lead to medical errors …

Acute Kidney Injury In Youth With Diabetes Admitted With Isolated Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Isolated Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State, And Hyperosmolar Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Single Center Experience, Erica Zarse

Research Days

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are hyperglycemic emergencies for which children are admitted to the hospital.

Objectives/Goal: Our objective was to compare acute kidney injury (AKI) between youth with isolated DKA to those with hyperosmolarity and explore associations to risk of AKI.

Methods/Design: Charts were reviewed from 01/2019 through 12/2020 for youth admitted with DKA (serum bicarbonate ≤16 mEq/L) and/or HHS (blood glucose ≥600 mg/dL and osmolality ≥320 mOsm/kg). Isolated HHS youth were combined with hyperosmolar DKA for analysis. AKI was defined as elevated creatinine level for age. The total amount of isotonic fluids administered was …

The Racial And Ethnic Makeup Of The Asthma Clinical Trials Informing The 2020 Nhlbi Asthma Guidelines Update, Esosa Adah

Research Days

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Rationale: Black/African American and Hispanic people in the United States are disproportionately impacted by asthma with increased prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. However, these groups are often under-represented in asthma clinical and translational research studies which is a barrier to achieving health equity. We describe the racial/ethnic makeup of participants included in clinical trials which informed the recent 2020 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute(NHLBI) asthma management guidelines focused update.

Methods: We identified clinical trials included within the 2020 NHLBI asthma management guidelines focused update. We determined the frequency (%) of studies reporting study participant racial/ethnic …

Financial Outcomes By Severity Across Children's Hospitals, Jonathan Hartley

Research Days

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Background: Hospitalizations represent a significant driver of healthcare costs for children. Little is known about how payor type and the severity of children cared for on the pediatric medical inpatient floor impact a hospital’s financial outcomes.

Objectives/Goal: The primary objective of this study is to compare financial outcomes of pediatric hospitalizations to the medical inpatient floor across patient severity quartiles. Secondary objectives included financial outcomes stratified by payor type across severity quartiles.

Methods/Design: Retrospective cohort study included children aged 0-18 years discharged during calendar year 2019 from hospitals that reported clinical information to the Pediatric …

Everyday Ethics And Equity At The Bedside, Shika Kalevor, Angie Knackstedt

Research Days

Background: Traditional bioethics training, although important, may not be completely suited to the nursing role. In contrast to traditional clinical ethics, which focuses on healthcare dilemmas, everyday ethics focuses on routine clinical encounters between clinicians, patients, and families and may be better suited to help nurses address issues such as bias and racism at the bedside.

Objectives/Goal: This study aims to provide a data-backed approach to ethics education for nurses as it pertains to improvements in the understanding of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) efforts in healthcare. This study also provides an opportunity for the field of bioethics to provide …