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Published on: January 17, 2011
The economics of a pediatric surgical ICU
Bethany J Slater1, Adam M Vogel2
1University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
Insights
Specialized pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) improve outcomes and may reduce costs for critically ill surgical patients. Further research is needed to define quality measures for these complex care systems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Critical Care Medicine
- Health Economics
Background:
- Innovations in neonatology and pediatric surgical techniques have increased the number of complex postoperative patients.
- Specialized pediatric centers demonstrate improved patient outcomes.
- Evidence suggests financial benefits, including decreased costs and efficient resource utilization, in pediatric subspecialty critical care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline quality and financial economic principles for complex care delivery systems.
- To support the development of specialized intensive care units for critically ill pediatric surgical patients.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article.
- The review synthesizes existing literature on quality and economic principles in pediatric surgical critical care.
Main Results:
- Specialized pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) have the potential to enhance the value of care for complex pediatric surgical patients.
- Improved outcomes have been observed in specialized pediatric centers.
- Potential financial benefits include reduced costs and more efficient resource allocation.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric surgical critical care and specialized PICUs can improve the value of care for complex patients.
- Further well-designed, prospective, observational studies are necessary to establish appropriate outcome and quality measures.
- Collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts are crucial for developing and optimizing these specialized care models.
Purpose Of Review:
The purpose of this review is to describe quality and financial economic principles that form the foundation for complex care delivery systems for the critically ill pediatric surgical population.
Recent Findings:
Advances in neonatology along with innovation in surgical techniques in children led to the need to care for more complex postoperative surgical patients. Several studies have demonstrated improved outcomes in specialized pediatric centers. Furthermore, there is some evidence to suggest that there is overall financial benefit with decreased costs and more efficient resource use to pediatric subspecialty critical care.
Summary:
As more becomes known regarding the impact of specialized ICU environments, pediatric surgical critical care, and pediatric surgical ICUs have the potential to improve the value of care delivered to these complex patients. Well-designed, prospective, observational studies are needed to assist in defining appropriate outcome and quality measures to inform the development of these specialized units. Currently, there are a variety of models used in children's hospitals to care for critically ill surgical patients. This represents a tremendous opportunity for a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort amongst pediatric medical and surgical intensivists.
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