The Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network for Children With Medical Complexity

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Pediatric Healthcare
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Emerging issues necessitated a new approach to pediatric complex care.
• The Maternal and Child Health Bureau funded a novel collaborative quality improvement network in 2017.
• Children with medical complexity (CMC) and their families require specialized, coordinated care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network to Advance Care for Children with Medical Complexity (CMC CoIIN) project.
• To outline the project's origins, guiding principles, and objectives.
• To discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and high-level learnings for future care delivery.

Main Methods:

• Development of a collaborative quality improvement network.
• Co-creation and promotion of family engagement strategies.
• Systems-level change efforts focused on children with medical complexity.

Main Results:

• Established a framework for improving care for children with medical complexity.
• Facilitated meaningful family engagement in healthcare system improvements.
• Adapted project strategies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• The CMC CoIIN project provides a model for enhancing care for children with medical complexity.
• Family-centered approaches are crucial for effective quality improvement in pediatric healthcare.
• Lessons learned have implications for future healthcare delivery for vulnerable pediatric populations.