IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks :: Browsing by Author "Nitu, Mara E."

Browsing by Author "Nitu, Mara E."

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Before the Flood: Impact of Coordination of Care and Direct Admissions on Emergency Department Volumes
(Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 2015) Webber, Emily C.; Bauer, Benjamin D.; Marcum, Chrissy K.; Nitu, Mara E.; Walthall, Jennifer D.; Saysana, Michele S.; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
Background: Transfers of pediatric patients occur to access specialty and subspecialty care, but incur risk, and consume resources. Direct admissions to medical and surgical wards may improve patient experience and mitigate resource utilization. Objective: We sought to identify common elements for direct admissions, as well as the pattern of disposition for patients referred to our emergency department (ED). Design: A retrospective qualitative analysis of patients transferred to our pediatric hospital for 12 months was performed. Different physician groups were evaluated for use of direct admissions or evaluation in the ED. Patients referred to the ED were additionally tracked to evaluate their eventual disposition. Results: A total of 3982 transfers occurred during the 12-month analysis period. Of those, 3463 resulted in admission, accounting for 32.55% of all admissions. Transfers accepted by nonsurgical services accounted for 82% of the transfers, whereas 18% were facilitated by one of the surgical services. Direct admissions accounted for 1707 (44.8%) of all referrals and were used more often by nonsurgical services. Of patients referred to the ED (2101 or 55.2% of all referrals), most patients were admitted and 343 (16% of those referred to the ED) were discharged home. Conclusions: The direct admission process helped avoid ED assessments for some patients; however, some patients referred to the ED were able to be evaluated, treated, and discharged. Consistent triage of the patients being transferred as direct admissions may improve ED throughput and potentially improve the patient's experience, reduce redundant services, and expedite care.
Corrigendum to "High Dose Dexmedetomidine: Effective as a Sole Agent Sedation for Children Undergoing MRI"
(Hindawi, 2015-06-02) Ahmed, Sheikh Sohail; Unland, Tamara; Slaven, James E.; Nitu, Mara E.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
A previous study conducted at the same institution, with a patient population of 77, concluded that high dose dexmedetomidine can be successfully used for MRI sedation in children, with 29% of patients requiring additional agents for optimal sedation [19]. In our study, over the course of five years, the patient cohort was larger (544 patients) and included the previously reported 77-patient cohort. This larger patient cohort analysis validated previously reported data: 100% success of the existing sedation protocol, rounded up from 99.8% acknowledging one patient failure, with the adjunctive sedative agents used on 21.5% of cases.
High dose dexmedetomidine: effective as a sole agent sedation for children undergoing MRI
(Hindawi, 2015-01-29) Sohail Ahmed, Sheikh; Unland, Tamara; Slaven, James E.; Nitu, Mara E.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of high dose dexmedetomidine as a sole sedative agent for MRI. We report our institution's experience. DESIGN: A retrospective institutional review of dexmedetomidine usage for pediatric MRI over 5.5 years. Protocol included a dexmedetomidine bolus of 2 μg/kg intravenously over ten minutes followed by 1 μg/kg/hr infusion. 544 patients received high dose dexmedetomidine for MRI. A second bolus was used in 103 (18.9%) patients. 117 (21.5%) required additional medications. Efficacy, side effects, and use of additional medicines to complete the MRI were reviewed. Data was analyzed using Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). MAIN RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine infusion was associated with bradycardia (3.9%) and hypotension (18.4%). None of the patients required any intervention. Vital signs were not significantly different among the subgroup of patients receiving one or two boluses of dexmedetomidine or additional medications. Procedure time was significantly shorter in the group receiving only one dexmedetomidine bolus and increased with second bolus or additional medications (P < 0.0001). Discharge time was longer for children experiencing bradycardia (P = 0.0012). CONCLUSION: High dose Dexmedetomidine was effective in 78.5% of cases; 21.5% of patients required additional medications. Side effects occurred in approximately 25% of cases, resolving spontaneously.
High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation Use and Severe Pediatric ARDS in the Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipient
(Daedalus Enterprises, 2018-04) Rowan, Courtney M.; Loomis, Ashley; McArthur, Jennifer; Smith, Lincoln S.; Gertz, Shira J.; Fitzgerald, Julie C.; Nitu, Mara E.; Moser, Elizabeth A.S.; Hsing, Deyin D.; Duncan, Christine N.; Mahadeo, Kris M.; Moffet, Jerelyn; Hall, Mark W.; Pinos, Emily L.; Tamburro, Robert F.; Cheifetz, Ira M.; Investigators of the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Network; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) in the pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant patient has not been established. We sought to identify current practice patterns of HFOV, investigate parameters during HFOV and their association with mortality, and compare the use of HFOV to conventional mechanical ventilation in severe pediatric ARDS. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a multi-center database of pediatric and young adult allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant subjects requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for critical illness from 2009 through 2014. Twelve United States pediatric centers contributed data. Continuous variables were compared using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test or a Kruskal-Wallis analysis. For categorical variables, univariate analysis with logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: The database contains 222 patients, of which 85 subjects were managed with HFOV. Of this HFOV cohort, the overall pediatric ICU survival was 23.5% (n = 20). HFOV survivors were transitioned to HFOV at a lower oxygenation index than nonsurvivors (25.6, interquartile range 21.1-36.8, vs 37.2, interquartile range 26.5-52.2, P = .046). Survivors were transitioned to HFOV earlier in the course of mechanical ventilation, (day 0 vs day 2, P = .002). No subject survived who was transitioned to HFOV after 1 week of invasive mechanical ventilation. We compared subjects with severe pediatric ARDS treated only with conventional mechanical ventilation versus early HFOV (within 2 d of invasive mechanical ventilation) versus late HFOV. There was a trend toward difference in survival (conventional mechanical ventilation 24%, early HFOV 30%, and late HFOV 9%, P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: In this large database of pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant subjects who had acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation for critical illness with severe pediatric ARDS, early use of HFOV was associated with improved survival compared to late implementation of HFOV, and the subjects had outcomes similar to those treated only with conventional mechanical ventilation.
The Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Infections in Children Determined Using Bronchoalveolar Lavage
(SAGE Publications, 2015) Beardsley, Andrew L.; Rigby, Mark R.; Bogue, Terri L.; Nitu, Mara E.; Benneyworth, Brian D.; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
Nurse practitioner coverage is associated with a decrease in length of stay in a pediatric chronic ventilator dependent unit
(Baishideng Publishing Group, 2016-05-08) Rowan, Courtney M.; Cristea, A. Ioana; Hamilton, Jennifer C.; Taylor, Nicole M.; Nitu, Mara E.; Ackerman, Veda L.; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
AIM: To hypothesize a dedicated critical care nurse practitioner (NP) is associated with a decreased length of stay (LOS) from a pediatric chronic ventilator dependent unit (PCVDU). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients requiring care in the PCVDU from May 2001 through May 2011 comparing the 5 years prior to the 5 years post implementation of the critical care NP in 2005. LOS and room charges were obtained. RESULTS: The average LOS decreased from a median of 55 d [interquartile range (IQR): 9.8-108.3] to a median of 12 (IQR: 4.0-41.0) with the implementation of a dedicated critical care NP (P < 1.0001). Post implementation of a dedicated NP, a savings of 25738049 in room charges was noted over 5 years. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrates a critical care NP coverage model in a PCVDU is associated with a significantly reduced LOS demonstrating that the NP is an efficient and likely cost-effective addition to a medically comprehensive service.
Practice Variation in the Immediate Postoperative Care of Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: A National Survey
(Elsevier, 2017-11) Abu-Sultaneh, Samer; Hobson, Michael J.; Wilson, Amy C.; Goggins, William C.; Nitu, Mara E.; Lutfi, Riad; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
Introduction Advances in organ allocation, surgical technique, immunosuppression, and long-term follow-up have led to a significant improvement in kidney transplant outcomes. Although there are clear recommendations for several aspects of kidney transplant management, there are no pediatric-specific guidelines for immediate postoperative care. The aim of this survey is to examine practice variations in the immediate postoperative care of pediatric kidney transplant patients. Methods We surveyed medical directors of Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI)-affiliated pediatric intensive care units regarding center-specific immediate postoperative management of pediatric kidney transplantation. Results The majority of PALISI centers admit patients to the pediatric intensive care unit postoperatively, and 97% of the centers involve a pediatric nephrologist in immediate postoperative care. Most patients undergo invasive hemodynamic monitoring; 97% of centers monitor invasive arterial blood pressure and 88% monitor central venous pressure. Most centers monitor serum electrolytes every 4 to 6 hours. Wide variation exists regarding blood pressure goal, fluid replacement type, frequency of obtaining kidney ultrasound, and use of prophylactic anticoagulation. Conclusion There is consistent practice across PALISI centers in regards to many aspects of immediate postoperative management of pediatric kidney transplantation. However, variation still exists in some management aspects that warrant further discussions to reach a national consensus.
Respiratory pathogens associated with intubated pediatric patients following hematopoietic cell transplant
(Wiley, 2020-08) Gertz, Shira J.; McArthur, Jennifer; Hsing, Deyin D.; Nitu, Mara E.; Smith, Lincoln S.; Loomis, Ashley; Fitzgerald, Julie C.; Duncan, Christine N.; Mahadeo, Kris M.; Moffet, Jerelyn; Hall, Mark W.; Pinos, Emily L.; Cheifetz, Ira M.; Rowan, Courtney M.; Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI) Network; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
Background We describe organisms found in the respiratory tracts of a multicenter cohort of pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients with respiratory failure. Methods Twelve centers contributed up to 25 pediatric allogeneic HCT recipients requiring mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure to a retrospective database. Positive respiratory pathogens and method of obtaining sample were recorded. Outcomes were assessed using Mann-Whitney U test or chi-squared analysis. Results Of the 222 patients in the database, ages 1 month through 21 years, 34.6% had a positive respiratory culture. 105 pathogens were identified in 77 patients; of those, 48.6% were viral, 34.3% bacterial, 16.2% fungal, and 1% parasitic. PICU mortality with a respiratory pathogen was 68.8% compared to 54.9% for those without a respiratory pathogen (P = .045). Those with a positive respiratory pathogen had longer PICU length of stay, 20 days (IQR 14.0, 36.8) vs 15 (IQR 6.5, 32.0), P = .002, and a longer course of mechanical ventilation, 17 days (IQR 10, 29.5) vs 8 (3, 17), P < .0001. Method of pathogen identification, type of pathogen, and the presence of multiple pathogens were not associated with changes in PICU outcomes. Conclusions In this multicenter retrospective cohort of intubated pediatric post-HCT patients, there was high variability in the respiratory pathogens identified. Type of pathogen and method of detection did not affect PICU mortality. The presence of any organism leads to increased PICU mortality, longer PICU stay, and increased duration of mechanical ventilation suggesting that early detection and treatment of pathogens may be beneficial in this population.
Virtual Developmental Screening After Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in Children: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study
(Wolters Kluwer, 2022) Bartel, Nicholas J.; Boyle, David W.; Hines, Abbey C.; Tomlin, Angela M.; Nitu, Mara E.; Szczepaniak, Dorota; Abu-Sultaneh, Samer M. A.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
OBJECTIVES: With decreasing PICU mortality, survivor morbidity has increased. This study aims to evaluate feasibility of virtual PICU-led follow-up of patients at risk for pediatric postintensive care syndrome. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Single-center, quaternary children's hospital. PATIENTS: Children less than or equal to 4 years without known preexisting neurodevelopmental deficits requiring greater than or equal to 12 hours mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Age-appropriate Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) were administered via a web-based system at 3, 6, and 12 months following PICU discharge. Primary-care physicians were notified of results; at-risk patients were referred to early developmental intervention. Forty-eight patients enrolled with median age 11.5 months (interquartile range [IQR], 2-19.5 mo) and median mechanical ventilation duration 92.5 hours (IQR, 40.5-147 hr). Fifty-eight percent completed greater than or equal to 1 ASQ-3. Lower caregiver educational achievement, lower income, and single-caregiver status were associated with lower ASQ-3 completion rates. Of those completing any ASQ-3, 50% flagged as at-risk for developmental delay and referred to early developmental intervention. There was no association between patient characteristics and abnormal ASQ-3. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual caregiver-completed surveillance is a promising method to screen children for neurodevelopmental abnormalities following PICU hospitalization and facilitate early referral for developmental intervention, but special attention must be dedicated to families with limited resources for follow-up.

Browsing by Author "Nitu, Mara E."

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