For the first time, Pediatric Clinics is devoting one issue to two clinically focused topics: Pediatric Palliative Care and Pediatric Hospital Medicine. Dr. Ottolini has organized her section to focus on a variety of issues of relevant to all pediatricians, but which pose special challenge to the Pediatric Hospitalists. As pediatric care has advanced, children who would not have survived infancy are growing into young adults with complex chronic diseases and dependence upon technology. They frequently require hospitalization to address exacerbation of underlying disease processes and procedures to improve their quality of life. The articles are devoted to patient care challenges of troubleshooting malfunctioning technology, co-managing medically complex patients pre and post-op with surgical colleagues, and the Hospitalist’s evolving role in performing procedures and sedation in this population of vulnerable patients. Also discussed rare strategies to maximize communication with parents, patients and primary care providers during hospitalization, especially for medically complex patients. Dr. Ullrich and Dr. Wolfe Pediatric have worked to bring relevant articles on palliative care to the pediatrician. While life-threatening conditions in childhood are rare, children with LTC account for a high proportion of pediatric hospital care, and about one half of such children die in the inpatient setting. The number of hospital-based pediatric palliative care programs has increased dramatically over the past decade to meet the palliative care needs of hospitalized children including symptom management, facilitation of communication, decision-making and advance care planning support, and coordination of care. Given these considerations, it is evident that the topics of pediatric palliative care and hospital medicine are fitting counterparts for this comprehensive issue.

Pediatric palliative care is a field of significant growth as health care systems recognize the benefits of palliative care in areas such as neonatal intensive care, pediatric ICU, and chronic pediatric illnesses. Pediatric Palliative Care, the fourth volume in the HPNA Palliative Nursing Manuals series, highlights key issues related to the field. Chapters address pediatric hospice, symptom management, pediatric pain, the neonatal intensive care unit, transitioning goals of care between the emergency department and intensive care unit, and grief and bereavement in pediatric palliative care. The content of the concise, clinically focused volumes in the HPNA Palliative Nursing Manuals series is one resource for nurses preparing for specialty certification exams and provides a quick-reference in daily practice. Plentiful tables and patient teaching points make these volumes useful resources for nurses.

For the first time, Pediatric Clinics is devoting one issue to two clinically focused topics: Pediatric Palliative Care and Pediatric Hospital Medicine. Dr. Ottolini has organized her section to focus on a variety of issues of relevant to all pediatricians, but which pose special challenge to the Pediatric Hospitalists. As pediatric care has advanced, children who would not have survived infancy are growing into young adults with complex chronic diseases and dependence upon technology. They frequently require hospitalization to address exacerbation of underlying disease processes and procedures to improve their quality of life. The articles are devoted to patient care challenges of troubleshooting malfunctioning technology, co-managing medically complex patients pre and post-op with surgical colleagues, and the Hospitalist's evolving role in performing procedures and sedation in this population of vulnerable patients. Also discussed rare strategies to maximize communication with parents, patients and primary care providers during hospitalization, especially for medically complex patients. Dr. Ullrich and Dr. Wolfe Pediatric have worked to bring relevant articles on palliative care to the pediatrician. While life-threatening conditions in childhood are rare, children with LTC account for a high proportion of pediatric hospital care, and about one half of such children die in the inpatient setting. The number of hospital-based pediatric palliative care programs has increased dramatically over the past decade to meet the palliative care needs of hospitalized children including symptom management, facilitation of communication, decision-making and advance care planning support, and coordination of care. Given these considerations, it is evident that the topics of pediatric palliative care and hospital medicine are fitting counterparts for this comprehensive issue.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Pediatric Palliative Care" that was published in Children

A first-of-its-kind, point-of-care teaching tool, Pediatric Hospital Medicine: A High-Value Approach focuses exclusively on high-value care as it relates to the growing field of pediatric hospital medicine (PHM). This practical, approachable resource shares expert insights and guidance from Drs. Moises Auron, Colleen Schelzig, Sangeeta Krishna, and Anika Kumar, as well as faculty, physician, and NP staff, and current and former fellows at the esteemed Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. High-yield, readable content ensures usefulness for pediatric hospitalists at the point of care who seek to reduce unnecessary diagnostic tests and treatments, and trainees who are reviewing and studying for board exams.

Challenging Cases in Pediatric Hospital Medicine is a collection of interesting pediatric hospital medicine cases that address clinical conundrums or issues and are to be used as teaching cases of clinical reasoning. Other cases will use inpatient care as a launching point for complex ethical dilemmas or system-based care. Each chapter begins with the clinical competencies that will be addressed and the patient presentation. Next, the chapter steps through the case workup and management, as well as the case outcome and follow-up. Chapters conclude with valuable pearls, discussions of aspects of care that are not just disease management but a true reflection of the scope of pediatric hospital medicine. Recommended readings round out each chapter.

For patients and their loved ones, no care decisions are more profound than those made near the end of life. Unfortunately, the experience of dying in the United States is often characterized by fragmented care, inadequate treatment of distressing symptoms, frequent transitions among care settings, and enormous care responsibilities for families. According to this report, the current health care system of rendering more intensive services than are necessary and desired by patients, and the lack of coordination among programs increases risks to patients and creates avoidable burdens on them and their families. Dying in America is a study of the current state of health care for persons of all ages who are nearing the end of life. Death is not a strictly medical event. Ideally, health care for those nearing the end of life harmonizes with social, psychological, and spiritual support. All people with advanced illnesses who may be approaching the end of life are entitled to access to high-quality, compassionate, evidence-based care, consistent with their wishes. Dying in America evaluates strategies to integrate care into a person- and family-centered, team-based framework, and makes recommendations to create a system that coordinates care and supports and respects the choices of patients and their families. The findings and recommendations of this report will address the needs of patients and their families and assist policy makers, clinicians and their educational and credentialing bodies, leaders of health care delivery and financing organizations, researchers, public and private funders, religious and community leaders, advocates of better care, journalists, and the public to provide the best care possible for people nearing the end of life.