The Institute of Medicine (IOM) defines quality in health care as “a direct correlation between the level of improved health services and the desired health outcomes of individuals and populations” (A Strategy for Quality Assurance. IOM. Natl Acad Press. Washington DC,1990). Paul Batalden et al. define quality in healthcare as “the changes that will lead to better patient outcomes (health), better system performance (care) and better professional development (learning)” (Qual Saf Health Care 2007;16:2–3). Quality improvement (QI) consists of systematic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement in health care services and the health status of targeted populations.  

In other words, it’s an attitude mindset, and skill set that is geared towards improvement in care delivery processes, outcomes, clinical and business operations, and cost.

It aligns well with Institute of HealthCare Improvement’s approach to optimizing health system performance as defined by the Quadruple Aim by enhancing patient experience, improving population health, reducing costs, and improving the work life of health care providers, including clinicians and staff. Health systems are increasingly recognizing the central role QI expertise can play in daily functions and efficiencies.

Integrating QI into your Practice and Career will focus on QI from the perspectives of physicians early in their career to those in senior leadership, including leadership development, clinical efficiencies, and improving the chronic care delivery system. Practical examples of specific projects in different areas of gastroenterology care will be discussed, including the identification of nutritional deficiencies, and mitigation strategies, and chronic disease management. Research opportunities in QI as a career focus and grant funding will also be highlighted. 

April 2021 Nutrition Pearl: Nutrition Support of Children with Chronic Liver Disease Pt 1

Neonates, particularly preterm neonates who are born with significant nutrient deficits, accumulate increasing nutrient deficits during their stay in neonatal intensive care.

Updating Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition: Now and the Future will review recent international guidelines for the management of parenteral nutrition support, discuss the considerations in the optimal balance of amino acids for neonatal growth and review the evidence for use of parenteral lipids to better meet essential fatty acid requirements critical for neurodevelopment.  Controversies in the timing of parenteral nutrition support and how new approaches to support transitioning to enteral nutrition might improve growth outcomes in the NICU will also be discussed.

Healthcare professionals have experienced rapid adaption to social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. over the past decade.  Social media can be extremely useful in providing helpful medical information to patients, their families, and society as a whole.  However, it also can be used in malicious ways including the spread of misinformation as well as tarnishing reputations if used incorrectly. 

In Social Media: How to be a Smart Advocate, we have invited national known social media experts who are also physicians to teach the learner how to combat misinformation on-line while also providing techniques to protect oneself on-line as a healthcare professional who communicates with the public.

Bowel Sounds, Episode Twenty Two: Jeffrey Hyams - Treatment of Pediatric IBD

In this episode of Bowel Sounds, hosts Drs. Temara Hajjat, Peter Lu, and Jason Silverman talk to Dr. Jeffrey Hyams about the management of pediatric patients with IBD. We begin by hearing how he developed his passion for not only IBD but also functional GI disorders — and how he became the first author of the Rome IV criteria. We then ask the expert himself how he approaches the management of pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. We briefly touch on new therapies in IBD. Finally, we discuss controversial topics in the management of patients with IBD.

Overlapping Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux and Aspiration Highlight the Limitations of Validated Questionnaires, March 2021

Management of Central Venous Access in Children With Intestinal Failure: A Position Paper From the NASPGHAN Intestinal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group, March 2021

March 2021 Nutrition Pearl: Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED)

Models of teaching in medical education are rapidly evolving. In the current era, technology has become an important component in medical education. Use of technologies such as podcasts, social media platforms, mobile apps, and simulations is accelerating in this changing educational environment. Technology can promote collaborative learning, improve communication and knowledge sharing, and can help educators deliver timely and effective feedback. However, evolving technology can lead to challenges.  Therefore, it is imperative that medical educators gain insight into the positive impact of technology and be appropriately trained to use it.

Because today’s learners are already accustomed to technology-enhanced learning environments medical educators must learn (a) how to integrate technology into curricular and instructional framework and (b) how to address the challenges from technology in providing medical education.

Teaching and Technology: Great or Glitz will prepare medical educators to become familiar with the impact and trends in technology in the health care learning environment and how to enrich their teaching environment through the use of social media, apps, and simulation.

Nutrition in the Gray Area: Bioethical Approach to Bridging Differences Between Parents and Nutrition Professionals

This webinar is for CPNP members only.