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ABSTRACT: A neonatal intensive care unit audit of 204 parenteral nutrition (PN) orders revealed a 27.9% PN prescribing error rate, with errors by pediatric residents exceeding those by neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) (39% versus 16%; P < 0.001). Our objective was to reduce the PN prescribing error rate by implementing an ordering improvement process. An interactive computerized PN worksheet, used voluntarily, was introduced and its impact analyzed in a retrospective cross-sectional study. A time management study was performed. Analysis of 480 PN orders revealed that the PN prescribing error rate was 11.7%, with no difference in error rates between pediatric residents and NNPs (12.3% versus 10.5%). Use of the interactive computerized PN worksheet was associated with a reduction in the prescribing error rate from 14.5 to 6.8% for all PN orders ( P = 0.016) and from 29.3 to 9.6% for peripheral PN orders ( P = 0.002). All 12 errors that occurred in the 177 PN prescriptions completed using the computerized PN worksheet were due to avoidable data entry or transcription mistakes. The time management study led to system improvements in PN ordering. We recommend that an interactive computerized PN worksheet be used to prescribe peripheral PN and thus reduce errors.
American Journal of Perinatology 08/2007; 24(7):417-27. · 1.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Exacerbation of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients shortly after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been named immune restoration disease (IRD). Thus far, IRD has not been reported in children.
We describe the clinical and immune characteristics of IRD in HIV-infected children treated with HAART.
A historical cohort study was conducted in a tertiary HIV center in perinatally HIV-infected children who were started on a first stable HAART between January 1996 and July 2002. The incidence of opportunistic infections, newly AIDS-defining events or death after initiation of HAART, and virologic and immunologic information was evaluated at baseline and every 3 months post-HAART.
Sixty-one perinatally HIV-infected children were started and maintained on HAART for >6 months. Seven episodes of IRD occurred. All were cutaneous herpes zoster (HZ). Children who developed HZ had significantly lower baseline CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell numbers compared with children who did not. HZ occurred only in children (7 of 34 subjects) with virological and immunological success to HAART. In children with a previous history of varicella infection, the risk of developing HZ after HAART was higher in those without a protective level of varicella-specific IgG (50%, or 5 of 10 subjects) compared with those with seroprotection (10%, or 2 of 20).
Herpes zoster is a common manifestation of IRD in HIV-infected children after the initiation of HAART. Risks for developing HZ include no protective varicella-specific antibody despite previous varicella infection, severe immunodeficiency at baseline, and vigorous immunologic and virologic responses to HAART.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 05/2004; 113(4):742-6. · 11.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Medical management of pediatric/adolescent HIV has become increasingly complex, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to care. Close clinical monitoring is needed to minimize opportunistic infections, initiate appropriate antiretroviral therapy, and ensure optimal health care to the patient. Monitoring should include evaluation of efficacy and side effects of therapy, early detection and treatment of HIV-associated complications, and maintenance of current immunizations. Tracking clinical data in chronically ill patients is a difficult task without an effective monitoring system. A patient data flow sheet was created to assist in planning care and monitoring disease progression by consolidating clinical information into an organized, one-page summary for each patient. One year after the patient data flow sheets were instituted, there was a significant improvement in the consistency of obtaining and monitoring routine HIV labs as well as serologies, and other recommended tests. The flow sheets have increased effectiveness of patient care and have been used to assist with quality assurance monitoring and quality improvement in the clinic setting.
Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care 13(4):58-63. · 1.09 Impact Factor
