601 IMPROVING DELIRIUM ASSESSMENT IN A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii8-ii13
Author(s):  
C Finlow ◽  
L Azaden ◽  
C Abbott
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Geriatric Medicine ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Ward Round ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Service Redesign

Abstract Introduction Delirium affects a up to 20% of medical inpatients1. Patients in the high-risk category include those over 65, pre-existing cognitive impairment, current hip fracture and those with a serious illness 1,2. Often delirium goes undetected but is often related to high morbidity and motility rates with complications of insitionalisation, increased risk of dementia, high risk of falls and prolonged hospital stays1,2, recognition is the first step to reducing these risks. NICE guidance suggests that those patients showing indicators of delirium should have a formal cognitive assessment and a tailor-made plan should be documented within 24 hours 2. The detection of delirium can be sort using licensed tools including the 4AT score with the 4AT being the most sensitive, specific and practical1. Due to the ongoing risks of delirium, high risk patients on the Geriatric medicine firm and poor detection rate a quality improvement methodology was used to increase the rates of detection of delirium. The aim to have 90% of Geriatric medicine patients screened within 24 h admission and within 24 h of arrival to COTE ward/first consultant ward round within 4 months. Method 4 PDSA cycles were designed to trial changes including education of the Geriatric medicine team, lanyard cards, introduction of 4AT on the frailty proforma and a non-intervention cycle to see if these changes were sustained. Data was collected from the care of the elderly ward not including outliers of 27 patients. Any formal cognitive assessment that was documented either on admission or on arrival to the ward was included. Not included was those patients who were assessed for delirium or change in cognition after first consultant ward round or after 24 h of being on the ward. Results The uptake of 4AT improved by 50% after education and the lanyard cards. This was largely as a shift away from other assessments rather than more cognitive assessments done overall. During service redesign an Older Person’s Assessment Unit was formed with a Geriatrician based at the front door. This will improve the use of the 4AT for older patients admitted to hospital in the near future and is the subject of the next PDSA cycle. Conclusion Our journey to embed the 4AT is ongoing and we will continue to improve uptake using QI methodology.

scholarly journals Safer Prescribing and Care for the Elderly (SPACE): feasibility of audit and feedback plus practice mail-out to patients with high-risk prescribing

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Wallis ◽  
Rebecca Tuckey
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
High Risk ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medicines Information ◽  
Care For The Elderly ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Information Brochure ◽  
Practice Methods

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION High-risk prescribing in general practice is common and places patients at increased risk of adverse events. AIM The Safer Prescribing and Care for the Elderly (SPACE) intervention, comprising audit and feedback plus practice mail-out to patients with high-risk prescribing, was designed to promote medicines review and support safer prescribing. This study aims to test the SPACE intervention feasibility in general practice. METHODS This feasibility study involved an Auckland Primary Health Organisation (PHO), a clinical advisory pharmacist, two purposively sampled urban general practices, and seven GPs. The acceptability and utility of the SPACE intervention were assessed by semi- structured interviews involving study participants, including 11 patients with high-risk prescribing. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a general inductive approach to identify emergent themes. RESULTS The pharmacist said the SPACE intervention facilitated communication with GPs, and provided a platform for their clinical advisory role at no extra cost to the PHO. GPs said the feedback session with the pharmacist was educational but added to time pressures. GPs selected 29 patients for the mail-out. Some GPs were concerned the mail-out might upset patients, but patients said they felt cared for. Some patients intended to take the letter to their next appointment and discuss their medicines with their GP; others said there were already many things to discuss and not enough time. Some patients were confused by the medicines information brochure. DISCUSSION The SPACE intervention is feasible in general practice. The medicines information brochure needs simplification. Further research is needed to test the effect of SPACE on high-risk prescribing.

scholarly journals Host Immune Response Driving SARS-CoV-2 Evolution

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Wang ◽  
Yuta Hozumi ◽  
Yong-Hui Zheng ◽  
Changchuan Yin ◽  
Guo-Wei Wei
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Host Immune Response ◽  
Social Inequities ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Type C ◽  
Systemic Health ◽  
Adar Gene

The transmission and evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are of paramount importance in controlling and combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Currently, over 15,000 SARS-CoV-2 single mutations have been recorded, which have a great impact on the development of diagnostics, vaccines, antibody therapies, and drugs. However, little is known about SARS-CoV-2’s evolutionary characteristics and general trend. In this work, we present a comprehensive genotyping analysis of existing SARS-CoV-2 mutations. We reveal that host immune response via APOBEC and ADAR gene editing gives rise to near 65% of recorded mutations. Additionally, we show that children under age five and the elderly may be at high risk from COVID-19 because of their overreaction to the viral infection. Moreover, we uncover that populations of Oceania and Africa react significantly more intensively to SARS-CoV-2 infection than those of Europe and Asia, which may explain why African Americans were shown to be at increased risk of dying from COVID-19, in addition to their high risk of COVID-19 infection caused by systemic health and social inequities. Finally, our study indicates that for two viral genome sequences of the same origin, their evolution order may be determined from the ratio of mutation type, C > T over T > C.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Personnel With High-risk Occupational Exposure: Evaluation of 7-Day Exclusion From Work Policy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena C Maltezou ◽  
Xanthi Dedoukou ◽  
Maria Tseroni ◽  
Paraskevi Tsonou ◽  
Vasilios Raftopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Risk Exposure ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Public Health Organization ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background As of late February 2020, Greece has been experiencing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Healthcare personnel (HCP) were disproportionately affected, accounting for ~10% of notified cases. Exclusion from work for 7 days was recommended for HCP with high-risk occupational exposure. Our aim was to evaluate the 7-day exclusion from work policy for HCP with high-risk exposure. Methods HCP with a history of occupational exposure to COVID-19 were notified to the Hellenic National Public Health Organization, regardless of their exposure risk category. Exposed HCP were followed for 14 days after last exposure. Results We prospectively studied 3398 occupationally exposed HCP; nursing personnel accounted for most exposures (n = 1705; 50.2%). Of the 3398 exposed HCP, 1599 (47.1%) were classified as low-risk, 765 (22.5%) as moderate-risk, and 1031 (30.4%) as high-risk exposures. Sixty-six (1.9%) HCP developed COVID-19 at a mean of 3.65 (range: 0–17) days postexposure. Of the 66 HCP with COVID-19, 46, 7, and 13 had a history of high-, moderate- or low-risk exposure (4.5%, 0.9%, and 0.8% of all high-, moderate-, and low-risk exposures, respectively). Hospitalization and absenteeism were more prevalent among HCP with high-risk exposure. A logistic regression analysis showed that the following variables were significantly associated with an increased risk for the onset of COVID-19: male, administrative personnel, underlying disease, and high-risk exposure. Conclusions HCP with high-risk occupational exposure to COVID-19 had increased probability of serious morbidity, healthcare seeking, hospitalization, and absenteeism. Our findings justify the 7-day exclusion from work policy for HCP with high-risk exposure.

Development of a method for quantifying cognitive ability in the elderly through adaptive test administration

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1116-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Konsztowicz ◽  
Haiqun Xie ◽  
Johanne Higgins ◽  
Nancy Mayo ◽  
Lisa Koski
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Geriatric Medicine ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Adaptive Method ◽  
Adaptive Test ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Testing Algorithm ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTBackground: The field of geriatric medicine has identified a need for an evaluative tool that can rapidly quantify global cognitive ability and accurately monitor change over time in patients with a wide range of impairments. We hypothesized that the development of an adaptive test approach to cognitive measurement would help to meet that need. This study aimed to provide evidence for the interpretability of scores obtained from a novel, adaptive approach to cognitive assessment, called the Geriatric Rapid Adaptive Cognitive Estimate (GRACE) method.Methods: An adaptive method for cognitive assessment was developed using data from 185 patients referred for geriatric cognitive assessment, and pilot tested in an additional 137 patients. Correlations between test scores and between rank orders of patients were computed to examine the reliability and validity of cognitive ability scores obtained by (1) administering test questions out of their usual order, (2) administering only a subset of questions, and (3) administering questions adaptively using simplified selection rules based on the most difficult question passed.Results: Cognitive ability scores obtained with the GRACE method correlated highly with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores (r = 0.93) and ranked patients similarly in order of ability (r > 0.87). A simplified adaptive testing algorithm for pencil-and-paper assessment demonstrated moderately high correlations with scores obtained from administering the full set of MMSE and MoCA items as well as the MoCA items alone.Conclusions: Scores from the GRACE method can be obtained easily in 5–10 minutes, reducing test burden. The resulting numeric score quantifies cognitive ability, allowing clinicians to compare patients and monitor change in global cognition over time. The adaptive nature of this method allows for evaluation of persons across a broader range of cognitive ability levels than currently available tests.

scholarly journals Comparison of COVID-19 outcomes among shielded and non-shielded populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhautesh D. Jani ◽  
Frederick K. Ho ◽  
David J. Lowe ◽  
Jamie P. Traynor ◽  
Sean P. MacBride-Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Family Practitioner ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Population Mortality

AbstractMany western countries used shielding (extended self-isolation) of people presumed to be at high-risk from COVID-19 to protect them and reduce healthcare demand. To investigate the effectiveness of this strategy, we linked family practitioner, prescribing, laboratory, hospital and death records and compared COVID-19 outcomes among shielded and non-shielded individuals in the West of Scotland. Of the 1.3 million population, 27,747 (2.03%) were advised to shield, and 353,085 (26.85%) were classified a priori as moderate risk. COVID-19 testing was more common in the shielded (7.01%) and moderate risk (2.03%) groups, than low risk (0.73%). Referent to low-risk, the shielded group had higher confirmed infections (RR 8.45, 95% 7.44–9.59), case-fatality (RR 5.62, 95% CI 4.47–7.07) and population mortality (RR 57.56, 95% 44.06–75.19). The moderate-risk had intermediate confirmed infections (RR 4.11, 95% CI 3.82–4.42) and population mortality (RR 25.41, 95% CI 20.36–31.71) but, due to their higher prevalence, made the largest contribution to deaths (PAF 75.30%). Age ≥ 70 years accounted for 49.55% of deaths. In conclusion, in spite of the shielding strategy, high risk individuals were at increased risk of death. Furthermore, to be effective as a population strategy, shielding criteria would have needed to be widely expanded to include other criteria, such as the elderly.

ABO Group As a Thrombotic Risk Factor In Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Retrospective Study Of 523 Pediatric Patients

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 2370-2370
Author(s):  
Terry Mizrahi ◽  
Jean-Marie Leclerc ◽  
Michele David ◽  
Thierry Ducruet ◽  
Nancy Robitaille
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Blood Group ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Blood Groups ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Abo Blood Group ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Introduction Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at high risk of thrombotic complications, resulting from multiple risk factors (including malignancy, medications, central venous access devices (CVADs) and inherent host characteristics). Several studies have investigated the role of ABO blood groups in the occurrence of thromboembolic events in adults. Non-O blood group has been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), with a compounding effect in the presence of thrombophilia or cancer. We hypothesized that among children with ALL receiving a standardized protocol, there would be an increased risk of thrombotic events in non-O blood group compared to O group patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of all children with ALL treated in our tertiary care center between 1995 and 2013 and identified those with an objectively confirmed VTE. Children were included in 3 different, but similar multiagent protocols (DFCI 95-01, 00-01 and 05-01). Patients were classified into O and non-O blood groups. Leukemia phenotype, risk category, age, gender, timing of thrombosis, localisation and thrombotic workup were also collected. Statistical analysis Risk factor for VTE was defined as a prevalence. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between potential risk factors and the occurrence of VTE. Results are presented as adjusted OR and 95% confidence intervals. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results Of 523 children with ALL, 50 (9.6%) had thrombosis. Blood group distribution showed 38 (76%) patients in the non-O and 12 (24%) in the O group, compared to 302 (58%) non-O and 221 (42%) O in the total cohort. Except for gender, univariate predictors of VTE were all significant (age ≥ 10 years, P = 0.023, high risk category, P = 0.001, T phenotype, P = <0.001, non-O blood group, P = 0.006, male, P = 0.79). In multivariate analysis, non-O blood group, phenotype and risk category remained significant, but not age nor gender: age ≥ 10 years, OR 1.12 [95% CI 0.53,2.34]; high risk, OR 2.45 [95% CI 1.13,5.34]; T phenotype, OR 2.48 [95% CI 1.11,5.55]; non-O blood group, OR 2.93 [95% CI 1.46, 5.87]; male, OR 0.83[ 95% CI 0.45, 1.54] (table I). The vast majority of VTE occurred at an upper limb CVAD site (64%). Other sites were lower limb (14%), cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (14%), pulmonary embolism (6%), intracardiac (6%) and multiple sites (10%). VTE mainly occurred during the induction (18%) and consolidation (72%) phases of therapy. Thrombotic workup was done in 33/50 patients, with 11 abnormal results (mostly non-diagnostic low Protein C or S levels and positive lupus anticoagulants). Positive family history was found in 2 cases, but not consistently explored. No patients had Factor V Leiden or II G20210A mutation. Discussion The estimated prevalence of VTE in children with cancer is 8% (compared with 0.7-1.4/100 000 in the general pediatric population (Athale and Chan, 2003). A large number of studies have evaluated the epidemiology and risk factors of thrombotic events in children with ALL (Caruso et al 2006, Farinasso et al, 2007, Grace et al, 2011), confirming the multifactorial etiology of VTE in these children. Significant associations between ABO blood group and VTE have been reported in several studies (Dentali et al, 2012, T.Ohira et al, 2006 and 2007, Wu O et al, 2008, Wiggins KL et al, 2009). A few studies have investigated ABO blood group as a risk factor for VTE in adult malignancies (Streiff et al, 2004,). To date, none have explored it in childhood cancer. Our results clearly identify non-O blood group as a significant independent risk factor for VTE in children with ALL. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these data. The mechanisms underlying the increased risk of VTE in non-O blood group patients remain to be elucidated. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 Epidemic: Management and Outcomes of Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in Stockholm, Sweden

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-256
Author(s):  
Jessica Smolander ◽  
Annette Bruchfeld
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Dialysis Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Dialysis Vintage ◽  
Long Term Prognosis

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The COVID-19 outbreak has been associated with a high morbidity, mortality, and a risk of long-term sequelae, and patients with severe COVID-19 are at increased risk of acute kidney injury. CKD patients are at high risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and suffer complications and poor outcome. In Sweden, mitigation strategies did not include lockdown. During March–April of 2020, wide-spread infection occurred in Stockholm. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Management and outcomes in forty hemodialysis (HD) patients and 4 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, with symptomatic COVID-19 in greater Stockholm during March and April of 2020 are reported. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Twenty-four HD patients (60%) required medical care and hospitalization, whereas 16 patients (40%) were treated at home. Nine patients died (mortality rate of 22.5%), of whom 8 were men. The median age in non-survivors (78 years) was significantly higher than in survivors (<i>p</i> = 0.003). The median time in dialysis (11.5 years) was also significantly longer in non-survivors (<i>p</i> = 0.01). C-reactive protein (CRP) at diagnosis in 7 of non-survivors (median 213 mg/L, range 86–329 mg/L) was significantly higher than the CRP in 25 survivors (median 87 mg/L, range 1–328 mg/L) (<i>p</i> = 0.0003). Maximum CRP also indicated poorer outcome among hospitalized patients (<i>p</i> = 0.0004). The gender imbalance was striking with only men dying apart from 1 elderly woman. Only 4 PD patients were hospitalized with symptomatic COVID-19. One patient died, 2 were discharged, and 1 was treated at the intensive care unit and survived. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> HD patients &#x3e;70 years were reported with longer dialysis vintage, higher CRP, and males were at an increased risk of dying from COVID-19, whereas those &#x3c;70 years seemed to have a milder disease. Mitigation strategies to reduce rates of infection in high-risk populations remain essential. Follow-up focusing on long-term prognosis for extrapulmonary manifestations is likely to be important also in dialysis patients.

scholarly journals Effects of different living conditions on the risk of osteoporosis in Chinese community-dwelling elderly: a 3-year cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 030006052094345
Author(s):  
Xing Yu ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhang ◽  
Peipei Han ◽  
Liyuan Fu ◽  
Xiaoyu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Bone Fragility ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Elderly Chinese ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
History Of

Objective Osteoporosis can lead to bone fragility and an increased risk of bone fracture with resultant high morbidity and mortality. Living alone has been associated with various mental and physical health problems. However, the risk of osteoporosis among individuals with different living conditions and changing living conditions is unclear. We examined the risk of osteoporosis in different living conditions over a 3-year period in community-dwelling suburban elderly Chinese. Methods This study involved 288 elderly Chinese suburb-dwelling participants with no documented history of osteoporosis. All were aged ≥60 years (mean, 65.6±3.75 years; 157 men). A quantitative ultrasound scan of the calcaneus with a T score of <−2.5 was used to identify a high risk of osteoporosis. Results In total, 54.2% of participants were determined to have a high risk of osteoporosis (male, 51.6%; female, 57.3%). People who had always lived alone had a significantly higher risk of osteoporosis, even after adjusting for potential confounders. A change from living alone to living with others had no significant impact on the risk of osteoporosis. Conclusion Our results indicate that living alone is associated with a high risk of osteoporosis. Thus, people who live alone may need regular bone tests to avoid adverse events.

scholarly journals Safer Prescribing and Care for the Elderly (SPACE): a pilot study in general practice

BJGP Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen18X101594
Author(s):  
Katharine A Wallis ◽  
C Raina Elley ◽  
Simon Moyes ◽  
Ngaire Kerse
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Outreach Visit ◽  
Care For The Elderly ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundHigh-risk prescribing places patients at increased risk of adverse drug events (ADEs). High-risk prescribing and ADE hospitalisations are increasingly common as people are living longer and taking more medicines for multiple chronic conditions. The Safer Prescribing and Care for the Elderly (SPACE) intervention is designed to foster patient engagement in medicines management and prompt medicines review.AimTo pilot the SPACE intervention in preparation for a larger cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT).Design & settingA pilot study in two general practices. Study participants were all patients at increased risk of an adverse drug reaction (ADE) from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or antiplatelet medicines. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants receiving high-risk prescribing at 6 months and 12 months compared with baseline.MethodThe SPACE intervention comprised automated practice audit to identify and generate for each GP a list of patients with high-risk prescribing for these medicines; an outreach visit by clinical advisory pharmacist to deliver education and to go through with each GP their list of at-risk patients and indicate in a tick-box the intended action for each patient; and a mail-out from GPs to selected patients containing a medicines information brochure and a letter encouraging patients to discuss their medicines when they next see their GP.ResultsSPACE can be delivered within existing primary care infrastructure. The rate of high-risk prescribing was reduced at 6 months following the delivery of the intervention, but these improvements were not evident at 12 months.ConclusionSPACE prompts medicines review and shows promising signs of supporting safer prescribing in general practice in the short term. A randomised trial of SPACE started in 2018.

Abstract 4565: Optimal Timing Of Stage-2 Palliation For Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward J Hickey ◽  
Christopher A Caldarone ◽  
Eugene H Blackstone ◽  
Thomas Yeh ◽  
Christian Pizarro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Survival Models ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Cumulative Hazard ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
High Risk Children

Background Because optimal timing of stage-2 palliation of HLHS is contentious, we explored associations between length of time between stage-1 and stage-2 (“interstage interval”) and survival. Methods A multi-institutional cohort of neonates (N=703;1994 –2001) who underwent Norwood palliation for HLHS was studied. Survival models were constructed for each of stage-1 and stage-2 and their combined cumulative hazard was defined. Results A constant, persisting hazard for death was prominent ≈2 months after Norwood (“interstage death”). Risk factors for interstage death included: smaller weight at diagnosis, longer DHCA duration, smaller indexed tricuspid annulus, mitral stenosis, older age at Norwood, smaller distal arch dimension and sternal splinting (all P <.01, >50% bootstrap reliability). Following stage-2 palliation (N=404, median interval 5.8 months after Norwood), 32 died before subsequent Fontan completion. Risk factors for these deaths included: earlier stage-2 ( P <.0001, 60% reliability), younger age at Norwood and smaller RV dimensions at diagnosis. Performing stage-2 within 2 months of Norwood conferred exponential increased risk of death. Cumulative hazard exposure (figure ) was minimized with interstage interval ≈ 3 months. For low risk patients intervals >4 months were optimal. For high-risk children survival was optimized with ≈ 2 month interstage interval. Conclusions Optimal timing of stage-2 palliation is dependent on patients’ risk category. High-risk children may have improved survival by early progression to stage-2; no such benefits are seen for lower risk children. The interstage interval will not be safely reduced below 2 months.

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