Long Stay Patients & Primary Intensivists with Dr. Jeff Edwards and Dr. Erin Gordon Part 1

About our guests:

Jeffrey Edwards, M.D is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University and a pediatric intensivist at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York. He is an active physician-investigator with clinical and research interests in children with complex chronic conditions and technology-dependence. 

Erin Gordon, D.O. is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at University of Texas Southwestern and an intensivist in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Dr. Gordon is the medical director of the inpatient developmental care program and directly involved in creating an environment that fosters the growth and development of the congenital heart disease population, including parental mental health and resilience. Her passion for patient and family advocacy has led to her desire to bring a louder voice to the concept of a “primary” intensivist.

Learning objectives:

After listening to this series of episodes, learners should be able to discuss:

1. The discrepant health-related outcomes of long-stay patients (LSP) and those with complex chronic conditions (CCC) in the PICU.
2. Barriers to delivering effective care to LSPs and those with CCC in the PICU.
3. Strategies to improve continuity of care to LSPs and to those with CCC in the PICU.
4. The rationale and evidence supporting the use of a primary intensivist program in the PICU.
5. Patient eligibility criteria and best practices of a primary intensivist program with an emphasis on equity and minimizing the risk of bias. 
6. Physician specific and healthcare system related strategies to maintaining a successful primary intensivist program.
7. The role of a PICU fellow in providing care similar to a primary intensivist.
8. Next steps in implementation and research of primary intensivists in PICUs.