Transitions to and from the acute inpatient care setting for children with life-threatening illness

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2014 Aug;61(4):761-83. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2014.04.008. Epub 2014 Jun 3.

Abstract

Children with life-threatening illnesses (LTIs) are hospitalized more often and spend more days in the hospital than children without LTIs. Hospitalizations may be associated with changes in health status of children with LTIs and thus alter their care needs significantly. Transitional care is particularly relevant for this population. Pediatric palliative care clinicians and teams are well-positioned to improve transitional care of children with LTIs by facilitating communication between clinicians and educating clinicians about issues related to children with LTIs.

Keywords: Children; Hospitalization; Life-threatening illness; Transition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Critical Care
  • Critical Illness / therapy*
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Inpatients*
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • Palliative Care / methods*
  • Palliative Care / standards
  • Patient Transfer / methods*
  • Patient Transfer / standards