BOX 30

Metrics proposed for use in audit

Outcome measures

Emergency unplanned readmissions to PICU within 1 year following infant heart surgery (for all infants).

Process measures

Percentage of infants with HLHS/UVH/PA/neurodevelopmental conditions/LOS in the specialist centre > 1 month that receive ‘step-down’ care (i.e. discharge via their local hospital).

Percentage of infant deaths outside the specialist hospital that are discussed at a Network Mortality and Morbidity conference, with details recorded on a nationally standardised pro forma.

Percentage of infants for whom a nationally standardised structured discharge document is completed prior to discharge and distributed electronically to all of the HPs involved in their care.

Percentage of infants with HLHS/UVH/PA who are following a nationally agreed protocol for home monitoring.

Percentage of families that receive nationally agreed guidance on ‘what is normal’ for that child, signs and symptoms to look for, how to respond and important contact numbers (e.g. in the form of a traffic-light tool).

Percentage of infants for whom all of the HPs involved in their care receive nationally agreed guidance on ‘what is normal’ for that child, signs and symptoms to look for, how to respond and important contact numbers (e.g. in the form of a traffic-light tool).

Percentage of families that receive all required training and information prior to discharge (facilitated using a nationally standardised checklist).

Percentage of infants who, at discharge home (either from specialist or local hospital), have a named GP.

Percentage of infants who, at discharge home (either from specialist or local hospital), have a named pharmacist (if discharged with a long-term prescription).

Percentage of families offered an opportunity to connect with other families (e.g. through social media or charity support groups).

Percentage of families more likely to experience language/cultural barriers to accessing support that are offered buddying.

From: Chapter 10, Intervention development: suggestions for health care, proposed metrics for future monitoring and recommendations for future research directions

Cover of Infant deaths in the UK community following successful cardiac surgery: building the evidence base for optimal surveillance, a mixed-methods study
Infant deaths in the UK community following successful cardiac surgery: building the evidence base for optimal surveillance, a mixed-methods study.
Health Services and Delivery Research, No. 4.19.
Brown KL, Wray J, Knowles RL, et al.
Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2016 May.
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