Managing Health Information for Children with Tracheotomy
Author Information
Author(s): Berry Jay G, Goldmann Donald A, Mandl Kenneth D, Putney Heather, Helm David, O'Brien Jane, Antonelli Richard, Weinick Robin M
Primary Institution: Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
Hypothesis
How does health information management and sharing contribute to the perceptions of quality of care received by children with tracheotomy?
Conclusion
Participants described disorganized tracheotomy care and health information mismanagement that could help guide future investigations into the impact of improved health information systems for children with tracheotomy.
Supporting Evidence
- Parents created their own health records to track their child's care due to lack of comprehensive records from providers.
- Providers expressed uncertainty about who was responsible for maintaining accurate health information.
- Participants suggested that a centralized, internet-based health record could improve communication and care coordination.
Takeaway
Parents and doctors found it hard to share important health information about children with tracheotomy, which made care difficult. They suggested creating a shared online health record to help everyone stay informed.
Methodology
Semi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted with parents and healthcare providers.
Potential Biases
The perceptions and experiences may not represent all parents and providers of children with tracheotomy.
Limitations
The sample size is small, limiting the ability to generalize findings.
Participant Demographics
Parents of children aged 6-18 years with tracheotomy; 8 parents and 15 healthcare providers participated.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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