SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Follow-Through for Follow-Up: A Prescription for Better Pediatric Consults

Pdf Summary

This project addresses variability in pediatric consultation documentation and follow-up practices. Standardized documentation can reduce differences between consultants, improve communication about follow-up timing and discharge recommendations, and make information easier to extract with large language models. However, smart phrases were chosen over fixed templates because they offer more flexibility, can be shared easily, and do not require IT or Epic builder approval. Clinic nurses also reported a benefit for scheduling follow-up visits.<br /><br />The need for improvement is important in the context of changing pediatric care. Consultation practices are inconsistent, and concerns include equity, timeliness, and patient-centeredness. At the same time, pediatric hospital medicine is growing, there are fewer pediatric inpatient beds, illness severity is increasing, and resident inpatient hours are decreasing.<br /><br />A review of one month of pediatric consults in Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, and Neurology found that only 66% of expected follow-up consult days were completed when consultants documented that they were still following the patient. In addition, 24% of consults had no follow-up visit despite documentation suggesting ongoing follow-up was needed.<br /><br />The project aim is to increase completion of expected consult visits from 66% to 80% and reduce no-show follow-up visits from 24% to 10% by the end of 2025.

Asset Subtitle

James Grace

Meta Tag

Author List James Grace, Rachael Mangaudis, Samantha Lindsley, Soraya Riley

Category Innovations

Concept Standardized Documentation

Concept Standardized Communication

Concept Pediatric Consultation Follow-up

Concept Consult Visit Completion Rate

Concept No-show Rate

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Minnesota

Presenting Author James Grace

Track Communication

Keywords

pediatric consultation

standardized documentation

follow-up practices

smart phrases

consultant communication

follow-up timing

discharge recommendations

large language models

clinic scheduling

consult quality improvement

Standardized Documentation

Standardized Communication

Pediatric Consultation Follow-up

Consult Visit Completion Rate

No-show Rate