This study presents an effective strategy to reduce admission rate for children with SCD presenting with VOC. Shorter time to second opiate dosing was also associated with reduced risk of admission.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the routine use of β-agonists, corticosteroids, antibiotics, chest radiographs, and viral testing in bronchiolitis, but use of these modalities continues. Our objective for this study was to determine the patient, provider, and health care system characteristics that are associated with receipt of low-value services. METHODS Using the Virginia All-Payers Claims Database, we conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of children aged 0 to 23 months with bronchiolitis (code J21, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) in 2018. We recorded medications within 3 days and chest radiography or viral testing within 1 day of diagnosis. Using Poisson regression, we identified characteristics associated with each type of overuse. RESULTS Fifty-six percent of children with bronchiolitis received ≥1 form of overuse, including 9% corticosteroids, 17% antibiotics, 20% β-agonists, 26% respiratory syncytial virus testing, and 18% chest radiographs. Commercially insured children were more likely than publicly insured children to receive a low-value service (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–1.30; P < .0001). Children in emergency settings were more likely to receive a low-value service (aPR 1.24; 95% CI: 1.15–1.33; P < .0001) compared with children in inpatient settings. Children seen in rural locations were more likely than children seen in cities to receive a low-value service (aPR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.11–1.29; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Overuse in bronchiolitis remains common and occurs frequently in emergency and outpatient settings and rural locations. Quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing overuse should include these clinical environments.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of discharge criteria on discharge readiness and length of stay (LOS). Discharge inefficiency is a common barrier to hospital flow, affecting admissions, discharges, cost, patient satisfaction, and quality of care. Our center identified increasing discharge efficiency as a method to improve flow and better meet the needs of our patients. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was assembled to examine discharge efficiency and flow. Discharge criteria were created for the 3 most common diagnoses on the hospital medicine service then expanded to 10 diagnoses 4 months into the project. Discharge workflow was evaluated through swim lane mapping, and barriers were evaluated through fishbone diagrams and a key driver diagram. Progress was assessed every 2 weeks through statistical process control charts. Additional interventions included provider education, daily review of criteria, and autotext added to daily notes. Our primary aim was to increase the percentage of patients discharged within 3 hours of meeting discharge criteria from 44% to 75% within 12 months of project implementation. RESULTS: Discharge within 3 hours as well as 2 hours of meeting criteria improved significantly, from 44% to 87% and from 33% to 78%, respectively. LOS for the 10 diagnoses decreased from 2.89 to 1.47 days, with greatest gains seen for patients with asthma, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis without a change in the 30-day readmission rate. CONCLUSIONS: Discharge criteria for common diagnoses may be an effective way to decrease variability and improve LOS for hospitalized children.