Analysis of the Hospital Node in the Management of Acute Events of Patients Referred to Pediatric Palliative Care

Recruiting

• Conditions: Pediatric Palliative Care

• Registration Number: NCT06797921
• Lead Sponsor: IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna

Brief Summary

This study aims to analyze the role of the hospital node in the acute event management of pediatric patients referred to Pediatric Palliative Care. Patients eligible for pediatric palliative care experience frequent hospitalizations. In oncology patients, hospitalizations are mainly for the treatment of the disease and the performance of diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures, whereas in the case of non-oncology children, admissions occur particularly for the occurrence of complications, which may affect different organs and systems. Hospitalization times are on average longer, so much so that in some cases they can even exceed 100 consecutive days, and have a high risk of re-hospitalization.

Detailed Description

In Italy, the prevalence of children needing CPP is estimated at 34-54 per 100,000 population, for a total number between 20,000 and 35,000 children. Prevalence data and projections performed on the British population show that children with life-limiting conditions are progressively increasing. The reason for this increase can be attributed to medical and technological advances that have enabled reductions in neonatal and pediatric mortality and increased the survival of pediatric patients with severe and life-threatening disease. Caring for these patients is complex as they require specific medical and management knowledge and coordination within the health care system. The care of children with medical complexity is interdisciplinary, with different professionals playing a central role for these children. Teamwork is necessary not only for responding to clinical problems but also for defining goals of care and for communication to the patient and family.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Study Start: 2024-12-03
• Study First Submitted: 2024-12-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-22
• Study First Posted: 2025-01-29
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-29
• Primary Completion: 2029-12-31
• Study Completion: 2029-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 350

Inclusion Criteria

• Living patients aged <18 years at the time of the event
• Patients with conditions eligible for PPCs according to Association for Children's Palliative Care/Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health

Exclusion Criteria

• NA

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Quantification of the number of emergency room admissions	through study completion, an average of 1 year	Number of admissions to the PS
hospital admissions of the pediatric population eligible for Pediatric Palliative Care at the OUs involved in the study.	through study completion, an average of 1 year	number and duration of hospitalization episodes by year, with prevalence calculation.

Trial Locations

Locations (7)

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria di Bologna, U.O. Cardiologia Pediatrica; 🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria di Bologna, U.O. Neonatologia e Terapia Intensiva Neonatale; 🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria di Bologna, U.O. Oncoematologia Pediatrica; 🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria di Bologna, U.O. Pediatria d'Urgenza, Pronto Soccorso e Osservazione Breve ed Intensiva; 🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria di Bologna, U.O. Pediatria; 🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy

IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria di Bologna, U.O. Rianimazione Pediatrica; 🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy

IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, U.O.C. Neuropsichiatria dell'età pediatria; 🇮🇹 Bologna, Italy