Objectives-Despite their significance, little is known about diagnostic errors in general pediatric practice other than data from malpractice claims. We surveyed pediatricians to elicit their perceptions about frequency, contributing factors and potential systems and provider-based solutions to address diagnostic errors.Methods-Academic, community, and trainee pediatricians at three tertiary care institutions and affiliated 109 clinics (N=1,362) were invited to complete the survey anonymously via an Internet survey administration service between

Through standardising discharge goals and implementation of high-reliability interventions, we reduced LOS without increasing readmission rates.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The American Academy of Pediatrics published a new guideline for management of first urinary tract infection (UTI) in children aged 2 to 24 months in September 2011. The imaging evaluation changed from the previous guideline to recommend voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) only for patients with an abnormal renal and bladder ultrasound (RBUS). The objective was to decrease the proportion of guideline-eligible children with a normal RBUS who underwent VCUG from median of 92% for patients treated as inpatients and 100% for patients treated in the emergency department to 5% in both settings. METHODS:This was a quality improvement implementation study in a large academic medical center. Key drivers included: appropriate guideline knowledge, timely identification of guideline eligible patients, and effective communication with the community-based primary care provider. A multidisciplinary team developed and tested interventions. Impact was assessed with annotated run charts. Statistical comparisons were made with x 2 analysis and Fisher' s exact test. RESULTS:The proportion of children with first UTI and normal RBUS who underwent VCUG decreased from a median of 92% to 0% within 1 month of initiating the project among those hospitalized and from 100% to 40% within 4 months among those diagnosed in the emergency department. Rates have been sustained for 12 months and 8 months, respectively. Interventions using the electronic medical record and ordering system were most impactful.CONCLUSIONS: Rapid adoption of evidence-based UTI care across multiple settings is achievable. Practice change occurred faster and to a greater magnitude in the inpatient setting compared with the outpatient setting. Pediatrics 2013;132:e749-e755