Pediatric critical care perceptions on analgesia, sedation, and delirium.

Critically ill children suffer from pain and anxiety additionally in the face of severe organ dysfunction. The critical care environment challenges pediatric patients' emotional and developmental capabilities. Disease-focused therapy is a priority and usually requires separation of patient from family and completion of invasive procedures.

Preventability of early readmissions at a children's hospital.

Objective: To determine whether pediatric readmissions within 15 days of discharge were considered preventable.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 200 randomly selected readmissions (8% of all readmissions) occurring within 15 days of discharge from a freestanding children's hospital between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2008. The degree of preventability was assessed independently for each case by 4 pediatricians using a 5-point Likert scale and was correlated with chronic conditions and reason for index admission with 3M's Clinical Risk Groups and All Patient-Refined Diagnostic-Related Groups, respectively.

Promoting adherence to ventilator management and ventilator weaning protocols.

Studies have shown that ventilator weaning protocols have resulted in a reduction in duration of mechanical ventilation, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and the rate of re-intubation when compared to weaning directed by a physician. This project continuously monitors weaning status and provides feedback on each patients status. The specific aim of this project is to improve the adherence to ventilator management and ventilator weaning protocols.