Jason Jobes’ Post

👶 Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU): A Symphony of Specialized Care 🌈💙 What is pediatric intensive care? Pediatric intensive care is a specialized realm of medicine designed to provide the highest level of care for seriously ill youngsters. Those admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) are often in critical condition, necessitating close monitoring and specialized treatments. Conditions tackled by PICUs: PICUs handle a broad spectrum of conditions, including: 🫁 Respiratory issues like pneumonia, allergies, and bronchiolitis ❤️ Heart problems, including congenital defects, arrhythmias, and heart failure 🧠 Neurological issues like seizures, meningitis, and brain tumors 🩹 Trauma from incidents like vehicle accidents, falls, and burns 🦠 Life-threatening infections like sepsis 🏥 Post-operative care following major surgeries What to expect in the PICU: In the PICU, a dedicated team of professionals, including paediatricians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists, will care for your child. Continuous monitoring of vital signs and regular tests, such as X-rays or blood exams, may be necessary. Treatment modalities, ranging from oxygen therapy to surgical interventions, will be tailored to your child’s specific condition. Navigating the PICU journey can be challenging, but the collaborative care provided ensures that your child receives the utmost attention and specialized treatment. 💪💙 #PICU #Pediatrics #ChildHealth #SpecializedCare #HealthcareHeroes #PediatricIntensiveCare 🌟 https://lnkd.in/g32iM9pA

Access to pediatric care in the U.S. is rapidly declining, endangering the health of future generations. Factors such as decreased interest in pediatrics, the closure of pediatric hospitals, and resource shifts to adult care are exacerbating this issue. Despite the minimal decrease in the pediatric population, pediatric inpatient beds have been steadily lost, especially in rural areas. Post-pandemic, the situation worsened, with some pediatric centers shutting down and emergency and critical care access becoming increasingly limited. Financial disparities, such as lower earnings and funding for pediatric providers compared to adult care, deter medical students from pursuing pediatrics. Reimbursements are lower for pediatric care, and children rely more on Medicaid, which pays less than Medicare. Policymakers have also reduced crucial funding, further straining pediatric services. To safeguard children's health, it is crucial to invest in and prioritize pediatric care, reform funding structures, and resist legislative cuts. Our RCM team optimizes reimbursements, securing vital funds for pediatric services. Telehealth specialists enhance access to care, especially in underserved regions, by providing remote consultations. This dual approach ensures financial stability and broadens pediatric healthcare reach, addressing the critical erosion of pediatric care access. We are the One! #revenuecycle #revenuecyclemanagement #priorauthorization #medicalbilling #medicalcoding #healthcare #healthcaretechnology #accountsreceivables #denialmanagement #consulting #management #implementationpartner MedPage Today

Lemme start by introducing the topic of pediatric care and its importance. Pediatric care holds a significant place in the healthcare spectrum, as it ensures the health and well-being of our youngest population. Ensuring that children receive proper care contributes to a healthier future for all. As a pediatric care nurse, I have witnessed the positive impact that comprehensive and compassionate care can have on children's lives, both in their short-term health and long-term development." One of the challenges in pediatric care is addressing the specific needs of children at different developmental stages. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach that includes healthcare professionals, educators, and parents working together often results in more effective care and outcomes. The integration of telemedicine in pediatric care is an exciting advancement offering increased accessibility and more comprehensive services. It enables healthcare professionals to cater to a broader range of needs while enhancing communication between caregivers, parents, and patients. Pediatric care holds a significant place in the healthcare spectrum, as it ensures the health and well-being of our youngest population. Ensuring that children receive proper care contributes to a healthier future for all.

😡😡 the more things change, the more they stay the same. "From neonatal and primary care to emergency medicine and surgery, the quality of health care received by racial and minority ethnic children in the U.S. is almost universally worse compared to their white peers, according to new findings from scientists at Northwestern University, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and several other institutions. The findings reveal extensive inequities in care across pediatric specialties, including neonatal care, emergency medicine and palliative care. Overcoming these pervasive health care inequities — borne of structural racism — requires policy changes in multiple sectors of wider society, including housing, health insurance and the criminal justice system, the study authors said. The findings were published Jan. 17 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal in a two-paper series. “We now have more evidence than ever that pediatric care in the U.S. is not only disparate, but inequitable for a large group of children,” said senior author for both papers in the series Dr. Nia Heard-Garris, assistant professor of advanced general pediatric and primary care at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a physician at Lurie Children’s. “Policies that advance health justice and reach across institutions, communities and populations are urgently needed.” The authors outline several implications of their findings for health care practice and policy, including that hospital and other health care systems should investigate and address sources of structural racism within their existing policies and guidelines, and that senior managers of health care systems and providers must take steps to eliminate race-based pediatric care. They also highlight that policy changes to end racial segregation of pediatric care and enhance the diversity of the medical workforce are needed."

"Children experiencing a medical emergency should have access to high-quality care that meets their distinct needs, no matter where they live." CHA agrees with the recent OpEd from leaders at the American Academy of Pediatrics, Emergency Nurses Association and American College of Emergency Physicians in MedPage Today on the importance of pediatric readiness. This is why we released a National Blueprint for Pediatric-Specific Readiness in Pandemics and Disasters in July that provides recommendations on how to ensure children’s physical and mental health care needs are considered in planning for pandemics, disasters and public health emergencies. Read their OpEd: https://lnkd.in/ePqXtDaj Read our National Blueprint: https://lnkd.in/enqXkc4r

Insightful article Our healthcare system does not support pediatric care as it should. Drs. Satyan Lakshminrusimha, David Lubarsky, @Rhae Gamber & @Sherin Devaskar nicely highlight the significant issues associated with the current state of #Pediatric #Healthcare, focusing on reimbursement which is a cause for many downstream issues. It is an article filled with solid and important information and a call to action. https://lnkd.in/g8ZNkYQT More than half of babies less than 34 weeks, the most fragile and care complex newborns, are covered by Medicaid across the U.S. There is disparity as more than half of Black, Hispanic, native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaskan native babies covered by Medicaid in the NICUs across the U.S.. Fee for service (FFS) is the most common form of reimbursement for providing NICU (many have rightfully so pointed out that this is a perverse payment model). In many cases FFS reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of an NICU hospitalization and are below payment rates for comparable Medicare services. The authors highlight the impact that low reimbursement for nonprocedural, cognitive-based specialties is having on Pediatric subspecialty access-- a trend that appears to be worsening with recent data demonstrating a decrease in residents matching in various pediatric subspecialties. For the recent pediatric subspecialty match in 2023, there were unfilled fellowship positions. 56% genetics, 47% nephrology, 52% ID (among many others) slots were unfilled. That is an alarming percent for specialties that fill a very necessary role if we are to provide the best care possible to newborns and children. I do disagree with one of their statements that "supply-demand will increase pediatric subspecialty salaries over time." I do not think that physician salaries lies within a truly competitive market that would follow the laws of supply and demand. We also need to be aware of the fact that Pediatric care access, both inpatient & outpatient, is decreasing over the past decade and really accelerated during the Pandemic when many Pediatric beds were converted to adult beds which have not transitioned back because more $ can be made from a adult occupying a bed than a child. Many community hospitals have closed their small, but important Pediatric units. Rural & critical access hospitals have closed with many teetering. Access to Pediatric primary care is becoming more limited, especially in those unfortunate patients with Medicaid coverage (which is a majority)-- creating widening and disheartening Pediatric Care deserts across the U.S. Their take-home message: "Increased Medicaid reimbursement is critical to the sustainability of high-quality pediatric subspecialty workforce that is family-centered, timely, effective, efficient, equitable." #UsingWhatWeHaveBetter

Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Emergency Nurses Association and American College of Emergency Physicians leadership responded to a Wall Street Journal article addressing the readiness of Emergency Departments to treat kids: "Children experiencing a medical emergency should have access to high-quality care that meets their distinct needs, no matter where they live. Every clinician shares this goal - emergency physicians, nurses, pediatricians, and surgeons alike." Read how organizations like PPN are working to improve readiness here: https://ow.ly/jZ4G50Qa2Up

Today is #EMSEducationDay! In honor of EMS Education Day, the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (#PEPP) would like to showcase a new online informative document on the PEPP Program. If you are a prehospital professional looking for a comprehensive and complete pediatric resource to prepare you, or your agency, for pediatric emergencies, please view the New PEPP Fact Sheet at: https://lnkd.in/gN_UsVSP to learn about the PEPP course content, structure, who should participate in a PEPP course, and much more. #PEPP4ED, #EMS, #EMT, #EMTLife, #Paramedic, #EMSWeek

A Call to Action: Ensuring Quality Healthcare for Imperial Valley's Children The Crisis: · 10,000 children in Imperial Valley lack access to proper care (California Medical Association) · 1 pediatric specialist for every 1,500 children, far below the national average (American Academy of Pediatrics) · 60% of Imperial Valley's children rely on Medi-Cal, which reimburses providers at a rate 40% lower than Medicare (California Department of Health Care Services) The Consequences: · Delayed or missed diagnoses · Inadequate treatment and management of chronic conditions · Worsening of medical conditions, leading to complications and even death · Long-term damage to children's physical and mental health · Financial hardship due to travel costs for adequate care in San Diego (2 hours away, totaling 4 hours travel to and from) The Story: My nephew, Mario , is 9 years old when he was misdiagnosed with a viral infection and severe stomach ache due to medication. Days later, he was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, a rare condition that requires prompt treatment. The delay put Mario at risk of long-term heart damage. We had to travel to San Diego for adequate care, incurring significant expenses (gas, food, lodging) and time away from work (4 hours travel + future appointment time). BUT, thanks to the excellent care he is receiving at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego , Mario is currently still in patient care, getting the best treatment possible! We are grateful for the specialized care he is receiving, however we know that not all families in Imperial Valley have access to the same level of care. The Solution: · Increase funding for pediatric services and specialists Pediatric Emergency Services · Implement innovative solutions for healthcare access and delivery · Collaborate with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders to address systemic issues · Offer high compensation to all pediatric services and specialists to attract and retain top talent in Imperial Valley The Ask: · Share this post to raise awareness · Support organizations working to improve pediatric care in Imperial Valley · Contact your representatives to advocate for policy changes The Urgency: Every day, more children in Imperial Valley face delayed or inadequate care. Let's act now to ensure our children receive the quality healthcare they deserve. The Impact: Together, we can: · Improve health outcomes for Imperial Valley's children · Enhance the quality of life for families and communities · Create a brighter future · Reduce financial hardship for families seeking adequate care (less travel, less time away from work) · Attract and retain top pediatric talent in Imperial Valley, ensuring our children receive the best possible care Join the Movement: Let's unite to ensure every child in Imperial Valley receives the best possible care. Share this post, use the hashtag #ImperialValleyChildrensHealth, and let's make a difference! #valleychildrenmatter

Dramatic increase in unfilled pediatric programs (66) and slots (249) in this year's National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®). Awaiting final numbers after the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), but this is yet more evidence of a major workforce problem that has been brewing and predictable for a long while. We do not compensate nor appreciate pediatricians sufficiently in this country in a way that might be compared with teachers and other professionals focused on children's wellbeing. It is great that we have been able to expand insurance coverage to more children, but if that insurance is under-compensating pediatric clinicians compared with adult ones, the market will respond, and not favorably. We should also be looking at ways to make pediatric practice more sustainable (beyond financial issues) and how we can inspire the current and future generations of medical students to value this important field. American Academy of Pediatrics Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) https://lnkd.in/etSs8ZDY