Enhanced Safety and Efficiency of Ambulatory Cardiology Admissions: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Background: Pediatric cardiac patients have experienced evolving illnesses progressing to instability while awaiting inpatient admission from ambulatory settings. Admission delays and communication breakdowns increase the risk for tenuous patients. This quality improvement initiative aimed to improve safety and efficiency for patients admitted from an ambulatory Clinic to the Acute Cardiac Care Unit (ACCU) using standardized communication and admission processes within one year. Methods: An admission process map, in-clinic nurse monitoring, and communication pathways were developed and implemented. A standardized team handoff occurred via virtual huddle using illness severity, patient summary, action list, situational awareness, and synthesis. Escalation of care events and timeliness were compared pre- and postimplementation. Results: There was a reduction of transfers to the intensive care unit within 24 hours of ACCU admission from 9.2% to 3.8% (P = 0.26), intensive care unit evaluations (without transfer) from 5.6% to 0% (P = 0.06), and arrests from 3.7% to 0% (P = 0.16). After the pilot, clinic nurses monitored 100% of at-risk patients. Overall mean time from admission decision to virtual huddle decreased from 81 to 61 minutes and mean time to admission from 144 to 115 minutes, with 41% (n = 33) arriving ≤ 60 minutes (goal). The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected admission timeliness while safety metrics remained optimized. Conclusions: Implementing a standardized admission process between the Clinic and ACCU enhanced safety by reducing admission wait time and escalation of care post-admission. Sustainable, reliable handoff processes, in-clinic monitoring, and standardized admission processes were established. The pandemic hindered admission efficiency without compromising safety.

Immunisation rates and predictors of undervaccination in infants with CHD.

Vaccination coverage for infants with CHD is unknown, yet these patients are at high risk for morbidity and mortality associated with vaccine-preventable illnesses. We determined vaccination rates for this population and identified predictors of undervaccination. We prospectively enrolled infants with CHD born between 1 January, 2012 and 31 December, 2015, seen in a single-centre cardiology clinic between 15 February, 2016 and 28 February, 2017. We assessed vaccination during the first year of life. Subjects who by age 1 year received all routine immunisations recommended during the first 6 months of life were considered fully vaccinated. We also evaluated influenza vaccination during subjects' first eligible influenza season. We obtained immunisation histories from primary care providers and collected demographic and clinical data via a parent survey and chart review. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of undervaccination. Among 260 subjects, only 60% were fully vaccinated. Vaccination rates were lowest for influenza (64.6%), rotavirus (71.1%), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (79.3%). Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass during the first year of life was associated with undervaccination (51.5% versus 76.4% fully vaccinated, adjusted odds ratio 2.1 [95% confidence interval 1.1-3.9]). Other predictors of undervaccination were out-of-state primary care (adjusted odds ratio 2.7 [1.5-4.9]), multiple comorbidities (≥2 versus 0-1, adjusted odds ratio 2.0 [1.1-3.6]), and hospitalisation for >25% of the first year of life (>25% versus ≤25%, adjusted odds ratio 2.1 [1.1-3.9]). Targeted quality improvement initiatives focused on improving vaccination coverage for these infants, especially surrounding cardiac surgery, are needed.

Competency-based Professional Advancement Model for Advanced Practice RNs.

The process of developing a 3-tiered advanced practice RN (APRN) competency-based professional advancement model at Boston Children's Hospital is described. The model recognizes the contributions of entry-level and expert APRNs to advanced clinical practice and outcomes, impact, and leadership, while incorporating the tenets of Patricia Benner's Novice to Expert Model and the American Association of Critical- Care Nurses Synergy Model of Care.