Quality and Outcomes Reports - Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Center

Patient Impact

 

Since birth, Megan has experienced abdominal distention and feeding intolerance. As an infant, she was admitted multiple times to hospitals near her Chicago-area suburb and placed on IV nutrition support. At just 9 months old, Megan was referred to specialists at Children's Hospital's Motility and Functional Bowel Disorders Program. After a comprehensive evaluation by the team, she was diagnosed with small bowel and colonic dysmotility. Part of her dysmotile bowel later was removed. Today, Megan is an active preschooler who enjoys eating three meals a day without IV nutrition support.

Volume - Functional Abdominal Pain Procedures

Why we measure it - Research shows physicians and hospitals that treat a large number of patients tend to provide a higher level of care and have better outcomes for treatments and procedures.

What this means - Functional abdominal pain procedure volumes continue to increase, indicating more families are choosing our center for their children's care. 

About the data - The graph reflects the number of functional abdominal pain procedures performed by our specialists from 2009-2012.

Related dimensions of care:

What we're doing to provide the best care:

  • The Motility Program at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is one of only two in the country recognized by the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society for training pediatric fellows interested in Gastroenterology motility and functional bowel disorders.
  • A team of specialists, including two dedicated functional abdominal pain nurses, provides family-centered patient care for children with motility and functional bowel disorders.
  • We conduct functional abdominal pain studies including high-resolution esophageal manometry with fluoroscopy, high-definition impedance manometry, antroduodenal manometry, colonic manometry, anorectal manometry and biofeedback.
  • The functional abdominal pain team consists of internationally recognized pediatric gastroenterologists, dedicated nurse clinicians and pediatric psychologists who provide biofeedback and counseling services. The team also works with the hospital's Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center which includes experts in chronic pain management, as well as pediatric neurologists with expertise in pediatric dysautonomias.
  • We conduct research to better understand functional abdominal pain disorders and improve treatments. Current studies include:
    • Assessing the impact of chronic constipation, fecal incontinence and treatment strategies on quality of life.
    • Functional MRI studies of brain activity to improve the understanding of visceral pain.
    • Understanding the pathophysiology of heartburn in children.
  • Families traveling from long distances are encouraged to use our Family Accommodations Program to make travel arrangements and coordinate appointments. Children's Hospital has partnered with non-profit organizations like Ronald McDonald House and Kathy's House to offer comfortable, "home away from home" accommodations. Local hotel chains on our referral list also offer discounts for patient families.

Patients and families:

  • Take a preoperative tour of the special procedures area to help prepare for the procedure and hospital stay.
  • Follow all eating and drinking restrictions before and after your child's procedure.
  • Bring a full list of the medications your child is taking with you on the day of the procedure. Make sure to include the name of the medication, the dose/amount and how your child takes it (swallows a pill, drinks a liquid). This is important information to help us care for your child while he or she is in the hospital.
  • Bring the name, address, phone and fax numbers of your primary care and/or referring doctor so we can send detailed information about the surgery that is performed.

Referring physicians:

  • Referring physicians can access our specialists for consultation or transport 24 hours a day by calling our physician referral line at (800) 266-0366.
  • As appointments are scheduled, the Gastroenterology Center will contact you to arrange transfer of any pertinent patient documentation, including test results and growth charts. 
  • Please contact Deb Wallner, Gastroenterology nurse manager or Pamela Fraser, Gastroenterology program director with any questions or concerns about the GI Service. They can be reached at (414) 266-2971.
  • Health care providers from outside of our southeastern Wisconsin service area are encouraged to use our web-based
    e-Consult service. This service is available for non-urgent patient cases only and gives providers access to our specialists to review patient cases, obtain medical advice or second opinions, and receive care recommendations for rare symptoms and illnesses.
    e-Consult is not to be used by the general public, parents/guardians or families.
  • Care guidelines for medical professionals
  • Educational materials
  • Pocket Directory

If you have questions about this information, email us or call (414) 266-6556.