This is the first study to determine the immunization status of hospitalized pediatric patients of all ages, including adolescents, providing new data on the immunization status of the inpatient pediatric population. A pilot intervention consisting of obtaining immunization records, determining immunization status, and discussing catch-up dose(s) before discharge resulted in improvement of immunization status, suggesting that the inpatient setting may be used along with many other national strategies to help address missed vaccination opportunities.

There are several challenges to overcome in preparing long-term hospitalized young adults with complex care needs to transition to adult supportive housing; however, these challenges may be overcome with targeted supports in several key areas.

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A concern whether the expansion of knowledge in substance abuse nursing and the contemporary prevalence of substance use disorders had influenced current educational offerings in schools of nursing provided an impetus for this national survey. The purpose of the study was to obtain information about current curricular offerings in substance abuse by schools of nursing. A total of 1,035 questionnaires were mailed to schools of nursing. Respondents included 336 schools representing a 36% return rate. The sample included 154 baccalaureate (46%), 126 associate degree (38%), and 56 diploma (17%) programs. All but one state (Alaska) of the U.S. were part of the sample. The questionnaire used for this study was adapted from one developed for a survey of alcohol and drug abuse content taught in medical schools (Pokorney & Solomon, 1983). Modifications were limited to placing questions in a nursing context. All responding schools included substance abuse in curricular offerings with the largest number (N = 192; 57%) reporting the teaching of alcohol and drug content in a combined manner. The number of required hours of instruction reported most frequently was one to five (N = 242; 72%), which did not differ significantly for the three types of programs. The relatively small number of required hours of instruction would seem disproportionate to the scope and prevalence of substance abuse problems present in patient populations.

Background Patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) approaches to care are important in enhancing the patient-centeredness of the health care experience, yet little is known about the effectiveness of formal approaches for teaching patient-centeredness in residency. Intervention We developed and implemented a PFCC curriculum and assessed its impact on residents' self-perceptions of patient-centered behavior and practices. Methods We used a quasi-experimental, nonrandomized approach with a pretest-posttest design. An experimental group of 24 interns filled out the Patient Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) before residency, and a control group of 18 graduating residents who had not been exposed to a PFCC curriculum also completed the PPOS. After 2 years of residency and exposure to a PFCC curriculum, interns in the experimental group repeated the PPOS. We compared mean total and subscale PPOS scores. Results There was no difference in baseline total or subscale PPOS scores between the experimental and control group. The mean total PPOS score for the experimental group after exposure to the curriculum was 4.55 (P  =  .45), reflecting no change in patient-centeredness. The 17 female interns in the intervention group were more patient centered (4.8 ± 0.36) than the 6 male interns (4.2 ± 0.38) (P  =  .005), scoring significantly higher (4.6 ± 0.39 versus 4.0 ± 0.38) in the sharing domain (P  =  .001). Conclusion Interns' exposure to a PFCC curriculum did not result in a change in their perceived patient-centeredness. Most pediatrics residents at our children's hospital perceive themselves as patient and family centered at the start of residency and remain so throughout.