Presenter Status
Fellow
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Rebecca Rentea MD
Start Date
14-5-2025 11:30 AM
End Date
14-5-2025 1:30 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Description
Background: As patients with childhood colorectal diseases transition into adulthood, many continue to seek care at pediatric colorectal centers rather than transitioning to adult hospital systems. This preference often stems from a sense of comfort and familiarity with their pediatric care teams. Additionally, patients often perceive inadequacies in adult healthcare systems in managing their specific conditions. As these numbers of patients continue to grow, pediatric colorectal centers may face increasing demands on their resources, potentially diverting attention away from pediatric patients.
Objectives/Goal: The objective of this study was to assess the utilization of our pediatric colorectal center by patients aged 18 and older to determine whether they have successfully transitioned their care to adult hospital systems.
Methods/Design: We conducted a retrospective review of resource utilization at our colorectal center from August 2017 to August 2024 for patients aged 18 and older. Data collected included number of clinic visits, patient phone calls/messages, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and OR usage. We also reviewed involvement of the multidisciplinary colorectal care team, including specialists in gynecology, urology, and neurosurgery. Patients who initiated care at our center after turning 18 were excluded.
Results: Preliminary analysis of the data revealed 125 patients over 18 who continue to utilize our pediatric colorectal center. Age ranged between 19 to 27, with 44% males and 56% females. The median follow up was 44 months (range 12 – 100 months). Throughout this period there was an average of 2.8 ER visits, 3.11 hospital admissions, 20.0 clinic visits, 2.5 OR procedures and 19.3 radiologic studies per patient. Most notable was the amount of patient calls/messages, averaging 4.4 per month and 53.1 per year. Additionally, 100% of these patients utilized more than one of our center’s multidisciplinary care teams.
Conclusions: Our findings underscore the ongoing reliance of adult patients on pediatric colorectal surgery centers and highlight the need for further development of comprehensive transitional care clinics. Addressing these transitional challenges is critical not only for the well-being of adult patients but also to optimize resource allocation within pediatric centers, allowing them to focus on the younger patients for whom these services are intended.
Included in
Higher Education and Teaching Commons, Medical Education Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons
Failure to Launch: Pediatric Colorectal Surgery Center Utilization by Patients Over 18 Years of Age
Background: As patients with childhood colorectal diseases transition into adulthood, many continue to seek care at pediatric colorectal centers rather than transitioning to adult hospital systems. This preference often stems from a sense of comfort and familiarity with their pediatric care teams. Additionally, patients often perceive inadequacies in adult healthcare systems in managing their specific conditions. As these numbers of patients continue to grow, pediatric colorectal centers may face increasing demands on their resources, potentially diverting attention away from pediatric patients.
Objectives/Goal: The objective of this study was to assess the utilization of our pediatric colorectal center by patients aged 18 and older to determine whether they have successfully transitioned their care to adult hospital systems.
Methods/Design: We conducted a retrospective review of resource utilization at our colorectal center from August 2017 to August 2024 for patients aged 18 and older. Data collected included number of clinic visits, patient phone calls/messages, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and OR usage. We also reviewed involvement of the multidisciplinary colorectal care team, including specialists in gynecology, urology, and neurosurgery. Patients who initiated care at our center after turning 18 were excluded.
Results: Preliminary analysis of the data revealed 125 patients over 18 who continue to utilize our pediatric colorectal center. Age ranged between 19 to 27, with 44% males and 56% females. The median follow up was 44 months (range 12 – 100 months). Throughout this period there was an average of 2.8 ER visits, 3.11 hospital admissions, 20.0 clinic visits, 2.5 OR procedures and 19.3 radiologic studies per patient. Most notable was the amount of patient calls/messages, averaging 4.4 per month and 53.1 per year. Additionally, 100% of these patients utilized more than one of our center’s multidisciplinary care teams.
Conclusions: Our findings underscore the ongoing reliance of adult patients on pediatric colorectal surgery centers and highlight the need for further development of comprehensive transitional care clinics. Addressing these transitional challenges is critical not only for the well-being of adult patients but also to optimize resource allocation within pediatric centers, allowing them to focus on the younger patients for whom these services are intended.
