A hospital-wide quality-improvement collaborative to reduce catheter-associated bloodstream infections.

Background: Catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CA BSIs) are associated with increased hospital length of stay, total hospital costs, and mortality. Quality-improvement collaboratives (QICs) are frequently used to improve health care quality. Our PICU was previously involved in a successful national QIC to reduce the incidence of CA BSI in critically ill children.

Differences in disease outcomes between medicaid and privately insured children: possible health disparities in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To determine the relationship between health insurance status and disease outcome in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).

Methods: JRA patients followed at a tertiary pediatric rheumatology center were assessed for the number of active joints and number of joints with limited range of motion. Disease activity, patient well-being, and pain were measured.