Journal article
Practice Patterns in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Presurgical Conferences: A Multicenter Survey Study
Pediatric cardiology, Vol.47(5), pp.2160-2169
06/2026
DOI: 10.1007/s00246-025-04008-y
PMID: 40879673
Abstract
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeries are high-stakes, complex procedures, typically undergoing prior review at multidisciplinary conferences. This study evaluates practice patterns of conferences throughout the United States (US). Surveys were distributed to fellowship program directors or division directors in 124 US pediatric cardiology centers seeking information on conference logistics, fellow roles, quality improvement (QI), and satisfaction. All 47 responding centers (response rate 38%) conduct presurgical conferences, mostly on a weekly basis (92%) lasting 60-120 min (79%). The conferences are solely virtual (19%) or hybrid (81%). High-volume centers (> 300 surgical cases/year) are more likely to hold multiple conferences (13/20 vs 7/27, p < 0.01) and less likely to designate a moderator (11/20 vs 22/26, p = 0.027). Categorical pediatric cardiology fellows at 33 centers present clinical data (97%), echocardiograms (85%), catheterizations (82%), and cross-sectional imaging (39%), typically beginning in their first year. Most centers report that minor (98%) or major changes (51%) are made to patient management at least "sometimes." Responders rate conferences as very important (median 10/10 on a 10-point Likert scale, IQR 9-10), but satisfaction is more modest (median 7/10, IQR 7-9). Only 17% of centers have a formal QI process. Comments from 42 centers reveal positive themes of collaboration (68%) but also concerns about lengthy (30%) or inefficient (36%) discussion. Conclusions: This survey highlights common practices for pediatric cardiothoracic presurgical conferences. Conferences are collaborative and seen as highly impactful. However, satisfaction varies, and QI efforts are infrequent. These findings highlight opportunities for process improvement and standardization.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Practice Patterns in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Presurgical Conferences: A Multicenter Survey Study
- Creators
- Britney Reed - Indiana University School of MedicinePoonam Puranik - Riley Hospital for ChildrenAndrew Rodenbarger - Riley Hospital for ChildrenMira Trivedi - Riley Hospital for ChildrenDilachew A Adebo - The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonGary Beasley - University of IowaLouis Bezold - University of KentuckyM Jay Campbell - Duke UniversityMichael R Carr - Lurie Children's HospitalJoshua Daily - Arkansas Children's HospitalMark DeBrunner - Children's Hospital of PittsburghErica Del Grippo - DuPont (United States)Carlen G Fifer - University of MichiganTimothy M Hoffman - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSusan R Hupp - Duke UniversityJoshua D Kurtz - University of LouisvilleGira Morchi - Children's Hospital of Orange CountyCarl Owada - Children's Hospital Central CaliforniaRenuka Peterson - Saint Louis UniversityMichael D Puchalski - Johns Hopkins UniversityRyan A Romans - Children's Mercy HospitalArwa Saidi - University of FloridaRajesh U Shenoy - Wolfson Children's HospitalAnoop K Singh - Children's Hospital of WisconsinRobert D Tunks - Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterThomas M Yohannan - University of Tennessee Health Science CenterCarolyn M Wilhelm - Rainbow Babies & Children's HospitalJyoti K Patel - Riley Hospital for Children
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Pediatric cardiology, Vol.47(5), pp.2160-2169
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00246-025-04008-y
- PMID
- 40879673
- NLM abbreviation
- Pediatr Cardiol
- ISSN
- 0172-0643
- eISSN
- 1432-1971
- Publisher
- SPRINGER
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 08/29/2025
- Date published
- 06/2026
- Academic Unit
- Cardiology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics
- Record Identifier
- 9984958292802771
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