Quality and Outcomes Reports - Critical Care
Unplanned Readmissions to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit within 24 Hours
Why we measure it - Sometimes children are readmitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit after being sent home or transferred to a different unit because the child became sicker after transfer. Sometimes readmissions can be prevented if problems are reviewed and improvements are made. This is a national quality measure for pediatric critical care endorsed by the National Quality Forum.
What this means - The data show the percent of unplanned readmissions to the PICU within 24 hours of PICU discharge. The rate is based on the total number of unplanned readmissions within 24 hours divided by the total number of discharges times 100.
About the data - The data reflect the rate of unplanned readmissions to Children's Hospital PICU as compared with other children's hospitals around the country that are part of the VPS database reference group.
Related dimensions of care:
What we're doing to provide the best care:
- A group of pediatric critical care physicians review every unplanned readmission within 24 hours of discharge to the PICU. This review looks at factors that may lead to unplanned readmission.
- Multidisciplinary quality efforts are started when system problems are identified.
- 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 nonprofit 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:
- Be an advocate for your child. Participate in daily bedside clinical discussions. Provide any information about your child that may be helpful to staff.
Referring physicians:
- Referring physicians can access our specialists for consultation or transport 24 hours a day. Call our physician referral line at (800) 266-0366.
- Health care providers from outside southeastern Wisconsin are encouraged to use our web-based
e-Consult service. This service is available for nonurgent 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.