Critical Care Commons^™

Clinical And Non-Clinical Factors Associated With Early Discharge In Pediatric Non-Trauma Patients Transported By Rotor Wing, Jordon Mitzelfelt, Lisa Pruitt, Amy Papa, Ashley K. Sherman, David Juang, Sarah Brunner, Asdis Finnsdottir Wagner, Jennifer Flint

Posters

Objective: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are crucial for transporting critically ill children to definitive care, however, rising costs and relative risks of this type of transportation necessitate careful evaluation of potential over-utilization. Current literature primarily focuses on pediatric trauma patients, leaving a significant gap in data regarding non-trauma pediatric HEMS transports and the influence of non-clinical factors such as referral hospital distance, resources, and capabilities on transport decisions. This study aims to address these gaps by examining non-trauma pediatric HEMS patients and identifying associated clinical and non-clinical factors related to early hospital discharge (< 24 hours). Methods: This retrospective, single-center study includes pediatric patients with medical and non-trauma surgical diagnoses transported by HEMS between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2024. Clinical data were extracted from transport team records and the hospital’s electronic health records. Analyses were performed to identify factors associated with discharge within 24 hours of admission. To identify predictors of early discharge, we analyzed clinical factors including chief complaint, pre-transport vascular access, transport crew interventions (medication administration and procedures), respiratory assistance, and Pediatric Age-Adjusted Shock Index (SIPA) scores. Additionally, we examined the impact of the initial admit unit, and medical support required within the first 24 hours of hospitalization. Non-clinical predictors included the referring hospital’s status (critical access and/or rural designation) and the time of transport. Results: A total of 568 patients were transported by HEMS, of whom 88 (15%) were discharged within 24 hours. Patients in the early discharge group were more likely to present with neurologic chief complaints (40%), whereas those remaining hospitalized beyond 24 hours more frequently presented with respiratory complaints (40%). Normal SIPA scores both prior to and at the conclusion of transport were significantly associated with early discharge (p=0.012 and p=0.011, respectively). Furthermore, patients requiring no medications or respiratory assistance during transport, or no respiratory support within the first 24 hours of admission, were significantly more likely to be discharged early (p< 0.001). Notably, all patients with central access prior to transport remained admitted for more than 24 hours (p=0.004). Regarding non-clinical factors, patients transported from designated rural hospitals were more likely to experience early discharge (p< 0.001). Conclusion: These results characterize the pediatric non-trauma HEMS population and identify key predictors of early hospital discharge. This data is essential for developing standardized dispatch criteria to mitigate over-utilization and ensure high-acuity transport is reserved for the most appropriate patients.

Dual Circulatory Support With Ecmo And Mcs Devices Is Associated With Shorter Hospital Stay Without Compromising Heart Transplant Survival, Tawanda Zinyandu, Abhinav Aggarwal, Ashraf Ahmed, Isaac Opoku Md, Didien Meyahnwi Md, Yussuf Isaka Md, Stuart Zarich, Carlos Davila

Posters

• ECMO is commonly used as a bridge to heart transplantation in critically ill patients.
• Additional MCS devices (e.g., Impella, IABP) may be used alongside ECMO to enhance cardiac output.
• The effect of dual circulatory support vs. ECMO alone on post-transplant survival is unclear especially after 2018, when the heart allocation system was revised to reduce waitlist times for MCS patients.

Reducing Vancomycin In A Cicu, Karoline Krzywda, Lauren Johnson, Allison Taber

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Introduction: In the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) empiric vancomycin is frequently prescribed. This practice occurs without wide knowledge of the true rates of methicillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA) and methicillin resistant staph epidermidis (MRSE) infections. Given the potential for harmful side effects of vancomycin as well as concern for growing antibiotic resistance we sought to better characterize local unit prescribing practices and MRSA/MRSE infection rates to guide our quality improvement project with an aim of reducing vancomycin use in our CICU. Methods: This project is taking place at Children’s Mercy Kansas City CICU, a 24 bed unit with an …

The Role Of The Apheresis Tandem Safety Timeout In Ecmo And Apheresis Therapy, Johanna I. Orrick, Debra E. Newton, Kari L. Davidson, Karen Murray

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The Apheresis Tandem Safety Timeout was implemented in 2017 at Children’s Mercy Hospital (CMH) to ensure safe, coordinated care when performing therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) alongside Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). The first tandem procedure at CMH was performed in 2013, introducing a valuable tool for treating the sickest patients in the region. However, when patients are placed on two extracorporeal circuits simultaneously, the risk of complications increases significantly. These include electrolyte imbalances, anticoagulation challenges, hemodynamic instability, and the potential for either circuit to be compromised. The ECMO and Apheresis team recognized that even minor miscommunication could lead to life-threatening complications …

Development Of Mobility Scales For Infants And Children On Ecmo, Johanna I. Orrick, Debra E. Newton, Caroline Holton

Posters

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving intervention commonly used in pediatric and neonatal intensive care; however, it presents unique challenges for maintaining patient mobility. Early mobility contributes to better long-term outcomes. Existing mobility scales by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) are limited to patients aged 8 years and older, leaving a gap for younger populations. This study aimed to develop and validate mobility scales specifically for infants (< 2 years) and children aged 2-8 years undergoing ECMO therapy. Through a collaborative effort involving pediatric ECMO specialists, physicians, and critical care nurses, we adapted ELSO’s mobility criteria to be developmentally appropriate for these younger age groups. For infants, mobility benchmarks include passive and active limb movements, head control, and supported sitting. The criteria for children aged 2-8 is expanded to include sitting, supported standing, and age-appropriate gross motor activities. This scale provides graded levels of mobility that accommodate ECMO-specific safety considerations, allowing practitioners to chart interventions according to each child’s developmental and physiological capacity. The resulting scales are being pilot-tested at our large ECMO center, with data showing preliminary effectiveness at capturing the degree of mobility achieved during ECMO runs. This mobility scale fills a critical need by providing structured charting guidelines for mobilizing infants and young children on ECMO, promoting functional recovery and potential improvements in long-term developmental outcomes. Further studies are recommended to establish consistency across institutions and confirm the scale's impact on mobility outcomes in pediatric ECMO patients.

An Interesting Case Of Candida Tropicalis Endocarditis, Abbas Mallick Md, Farrah R. Khan Md, Sohrab Singh Md, Salman Ayaz Md, Prandeep Kumar Devarakonda Md, Iyad Al-Bustami Md

Posters

Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a disease characterized by microbe and fibrin rich complex adhesion to the cardiac valvular apparatus. Common culprit microorganisms include gram positive bacteria however valvular infections with fungal organisms are rare. We present an uncommon case of Candida Tropicalis endocarditis.

A Rare Case Of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Farrah R. Khan Md, Salman Ayaz Md, Rasha Saleth Md, Aysha Rana Md, Bryan Schaf Md, Zahra Khan Md

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This case highlights the importance of identifying the signs of NMS in patients who are on antipsychotics. Although it is an uncommon phenomenon, heightened awareness is important to prevent delays or worsening conditions.

Ecmo Clinical Practice Committee: Empowering The Frontline Staff, Michelle Mckain, Shayna Evans, Johanna I. Orrick, Kari L. Davidson

Posters

Background: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a complex artificial life support for patients with severe respiratory and cardiac failure. Children’s Mercy was an early ECMO pioneer, establishing a program in 1987. Despite CM’s successful history, wide variations existed between regional management of ECMO (Schwartz et al., 2022). Studies show that patient outcomes, resources, staff satisfaction, and financial metrics improve with implementation of an interprofessional shared governance team (Olender et al., 2019; Schwartz et al., 2022). In 2016, the ECMO Clinical Practice Committee (ECP) was created, tasked with addressing projects aimed at ECMO process improvements. Methods: ECP members include Registered Nurses …

Delirium On Admission To The Cicu, Spencer Wittmeyer, Jaime Silva-Gburek, Kelly S. Tieves

Posters

Background: Delirium is increasingly recognized in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) with an incidence up to 67% and is associated with worse outcomes including increased mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and increased rates of intubation and mechanical circulatory support. The Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) is the only validated tool for the diagnosis of delirium in the pediatric population. The CAPD may be limited in children with developmental disabilities as it does not account for baseline ability in scoring. Prior work has identified low specificity for the CAPD in children with developmental disabilities and those requiring mechanical ventilation. This …

Evaluating The Accuracy And Quality Of The Information On Pulmonary Rehabilitation Videos Shared On Youtube Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic, Payaum Fotovat-Ahmadi, Bilal M. Ali, Bhavinkumar Dalal

Posters

YouTube is a visual library that is growing at incredible pace, especially with the rise of COVID-19 pandemic. Pulmonary rehabilitation refers to the rehabilitation treatment of patients with chronic pulmonary diseases. YouTube has made it possible to practice remote rehabilitation, the effectiveness of which have been proven non-inferior to traditional approaches.

A Survey Of Medical Student Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Stephanie Gappy, Girish Nair, Dwayne Baxa

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students switched from an in-person to virtual curriculum. This shift placed stress on medical schools to find alternatives to train students. Students relied on recorded lectures, emails, and video-conferencing to stay up-to-date with schoolwork. Understanding student experiences during the pandemic will help prepare students and administrators for repeat lockdown events. The goal of this study is to understand the experiences of medical students during the pandemic.

Impact Of Structured Reporting Template On The Quality Of Hrct Radiology Reports For Interstitial Lung Disease, Han G. Ngo, Girish B. Nair, Sayf Al-Katib

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This QI study compared the completeness of HRCT radiology reports before and after the implementation of a disease-specific structured reporting template for suspected cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Evaluation Of Phenobarbital In The Treatment Of Alcohol Withdrawal In The Intensive Care Unit, Sienna J. Ringgenberg, Vishal K. Patel

Posters

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is typically managed using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment (CIWA) protocol which includes benzodiazepines, supportive care, and close clinical monitoring. Alternatives to benzodiazepines such as phenobarbital provide several advantages including less frequent dosing, longer tapering off of doses, and additional glutamate inhibition. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and potential benefit to using phenobarbital in addition to CIWA protocol in the treatment of AWS at Beaumont, Royal Oak.

Successful Va Ecmo For A Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient With Necrotizing Faciitis From Clostridium Septicum, Johanna I. Orrick, Brittany Rouchou, Cara Holton, Jenna Miller

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REPORT: It can be challenging to calculate the risks versus benefits of a potential Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) pediatric candidate. A patient with an oncologic comorbidity and an increased potential of needing near-future surgical interventions carries higher ECMO risks. We report a successful VA ECMO run of a newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) adolescent with Clostridium septicum necrotizing fasciitis. A previously healthy 16-year-old male was diagnosed with pre-B cell ALL after having an ileocolic intussusception and a Clostridium septicum blood infection. He underwent successful surgical intussusception reduction, started induction chemotherapy, and completed a ten-day course of antibiotics. On hospital …

Eosinophilic Myocarditis Secondary To Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Vs. Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Diagnostic Dilemma, Nathan Lavoy, Brian Birnbaum, Julia G. Harris, Aarti Pandya, Allison Taber

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Introduction: Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare but detrimental diagnosis in the pediatric population. Cardiac involvement within HES can present as a diagnosis of Eosinophilic Myocarditis which can progress to irreversible damage and potentially death. This case report discusses a 16-year-old male treated for HES, although HES can have overlap with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) and requires a multi-disciplinary approach to patient management. Case Description: The patient was a 16-year-old male, with a history of asthma, presenting with acute onset of chest pain. He was found to have peripheral eosinophilia with an absolute eosinophil count of 11.71. He had …

Management Of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Single Institution Protocol Analysis, Shai Stewart Md, James A. Fraser, Rebecca M. Rentea, Pablo Aguayo, David Juang, Jason D. Fraser, Charles L. Snyder, Richard J. Hendrickson, Tolulope A. Oyetunji, Shawn D. St.Peter

Posters

Management of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax in Children: A Single Institution Protocol Analysis

Background: The Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium (MWPSC) has suggested a management algorithm to include simple aspiration of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), failing which, Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) should be considered. We describe our outcomes in patients who have been managed with this suggested protocol.

Methods: An Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved, single institution retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients between 12 and 18 years who were diagnosed with PSP from 2016 to 2022. Initial management consisted of aspiration alone with a 12F Thal-Quick chest tube followed by …

A Study To Compare Baseline Functional Residual Capacity And Forced Vital Capacity As Predictors Of Mortality And Hospitalization In A Cohort Of Mild To Moderate Interstitial Lung Disease, Olga R. Gomez Rojas, Ehsun Naeem, Filip Ionescu, Edward Castillo, Girish B. Nair

Posters

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is a common parameter used to assess disease progression in patients with Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and acts as a surrogate for mortality. Previous studies suggest Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) may be an earlier predictor of disease progression in ILD. In this study, we compared predictive ability of baseline FRC to FVC to predict one-year-mortality and respiratory related hospitalization in patients with mild to moderate ILD

Identifying Predictive Factors For Patients Transferred From Floor To Picu Within 24 Hours Of Admission By A Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team, Gina Patel, Lisa Carney, Brian S. Olsen, Jennifer Flint

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Abstract Objectives: Appropriate triage and disposition during transport can reduce the need for unplanned transfers to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) within 24 hours of admission. The pediatric early warning score (PEWS) is utilized to monitor for inpatient clinical deterioration and acuity during transport at our hospital. We sought to determine predictive factors of patients admitted to the inpatient ward who required PICU transfer within 24 hours following transport by Children’s Mercy Critical Care Transport (CMCCT) team. We hypothesized patients with respiratory illness and PEWS > 4 during interfacility transport are at higher risk of PICU transfer within 24 hours …

Extubated Vv-Ecmo For Covid-19 Ards In An Immunosuppressed Pediatric Renal Transplant Patient., Johanna I. Orrick, Cara Holton, Tara Benton, Jenna Miller

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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adults is common, and outcomes are similar to those for non-COVID-19 ARDS on ECMO1. However, children are much less likely to have severe COVID-19 disease, and thus the need for extracorporeal support is rare2,3. Even pediatric solid organ transplant recipients with active COVID-19 infections typically do not require ECMO.4 We present the case of an immunosuppressed pediatric patient with COVID-19-related ARDS who had an excellent outcome on VV-ECMO. An 11-year-old female with a history of polycystic kidney disease status post renal transplant three years …

The Many Faces Of Covid19 Infection: A Case Of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Adults (Mis-A), Amy Lam Do, Kaitlyn Musco Md, Nicholas Hinds Md

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No abstract provided.

Severe Diastolic Dysfunction Following Prolonged Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation In A Pediatric Burn Patient., Cara Holton, Johanna I. Orrick, Igor Areinamo, Jenna Miller

Posters

A previously healthy 3-year-old female was admitted following a 22% TBSA scald burn. She was initially hemodynamically stable on room air. However, one week into hospitalization she developed ARDS with catecholamine-refractory shock requiring VA-ECMO. She was enterovirus positive, grew MRSA in respiratory cultures and was treated with prolonged antibiotics. The patient spent 26 days on VA-ECMO followed by 61 days on VV- ECMO after failing decannulation due to refractory hypoxia. She developed anuric renal failure requiring CRRT during her second ECMO course. Following VV-ECMO decannulation, she required mechanical ventilation with high settings and had severe recurrent pulmonary hemorrhage requiring FFP, …

Utilization Of Enteral Tranexamic Acid To Stabilize Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage In Pediatric Patients On Ecmo, Gina Patel, Jenna Miller, Thomas M. Attard, Asdis Finnsdottir Wagner

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Hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of literature describing the incidence and management of Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding on ECMO. We describe the use of enteral tranexamic acid (TXA) as an alternative strategy in two pediatric patients with GI hemorrhage on ECMO. Case 1 A 5-year-old with Wilms Tumor required Veno-Venous ECMO due to respiratory failure associated with pulmonary hemorrhage and air-leak syndrome. Her course was complicated by severe GI hemorrhage refractory to IV proton pump inhibitor (PPI), IV TXA and octreotide infusions. Concomitant IV TXA …

“Ecmo In A Bag”: Successful Adaptation And Implementation Of A Novel Conference Idea, Johanna I. Orrick, Debra E. Newton, Kari L. Davidson, Jenna Miller, Alyssa Stoner

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INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is an ever-evolving technical landscape that requires an advanced level of education. At our institution, a 367-bed pediatric teaching and research facility, learners include registered nurses, registered respiratory therapists, advanced practice registered nurses, resident physicians, pediatric and neonatal intensive care physicians. A certification class followed by an advanced course covers ECMO diagnoses, complications, equipment, and management prior to providing care for ECMO patients in our institution. Educational strategies include high and low fidelity simulations, didactic learning, and clinical hours at the bedside. A desire to increase the experiential learning opportunities was identified as an ECMO …

Global Health Immersive Elective In The Philippines, Lisa Godfrey

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Describes her experiences working at Fabella Memorial NICU and the Philippines General Hospital.

Philippines: An Int-Erupted Experience, Susamita Kesh

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Describes her experience working in the NICU of the Fabella Memorial Hospital in Philippines.

An Unexpected Global Health Experience In Manila, Susan Mcanany

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Describes her experience in the NICU of the Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, Philippines.

Increasing Kangaroo Care In A New Small Baby Unit, Dianne Wilderson, Barb Haney, Ashley Mirabile, Beckie Palmer, Jenny Heltzer, Erin Keith-Chancy Bsn,Ccrn, Brooke Smith, Christian Anthony Schneider, Abdebayo Oshodi

Posters

Project Aim: Increase the percent of eligible patients receiving kangaroo care from 19% to 30% by September 2019.

Results:

113 staff completed education

OT consults completed on all SBU patients

20 kangaroo wraps purchased

Kangaroo care rate in NICU increased from 19% (prior to SBU) to 36% (Post SBU opening).

Conclusion: Due to increased multidisciplinary awareness of importance of kangaroo care in the SBU more parents are completing kangaroo care.

"Will Using Telemedicine With Medical Command During Situational Awareness Escalation Add Value To Patient Care?", Kathy Farrell, Bradley Bishop, Lisa Carney, Matthew B. Johnson, Natalie Masters, Lisa Pruitt, Sherry Mccool, Laura Fitzmaurice

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No abstract provided.

Lighting The Way To Ensure Safe Transition Home, Barb Haney, Ashley Mirabile, Dianne Wilderson, Beckie Palmer, Ashley Lewis, Cris Mills, Eugenia K. Pallotto

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All aspects of discharge (education, screenings, appointments, plans and home services" must be completed and appropriately communicated prior to discharge to ensure safe transition to home.

Goal: Standardize all aspects of discharge in a large, busy 84-bed Level IV NICU with >1000 admissions/year and >300 nurses, >60 NNPs, and >25 neonatologists.

• 95% of patients with lengths of stay >3 days have all discharge planning completed prior to discharge/Parent Care Unit overnight stay

Clabsi Prevention Through Prevention Huddles And Clabsi Risk Assessment And Prevention Form In Electronic Medical Record, Tara Benton, Barb Haney, Lacey Bergerhofer, Yolanda Ballam, Kaitlyn Hoch

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Our aim is to increase the awareness of high risks for central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and decrease the CLABSI rate with the implementation of CLABSI prevention huddles and an electronic medical record (EMR) "CLABSI Risk Assessment and Prevention" form.