PolicyLab: Center to Bridge Research, Practice, and Policy at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute announces our newest Evidence to Action brief, Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy. This brief reviews the evidence related to adolescent pregnancy prevention and suggests practical, data-driven actions for reducing pregnancy during adolescence.

PolicyLab Evidence to Action briefs highlight our research areas in the context of local and national policy issues to advance child health and well-being.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Observation

PolicyLab’s Evan Fieldston worked with a multidisciplinary team to conduct a real-time observation of how beds in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of an urban children’s hospital were used over time. The study, published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, found periods when no PICU beds were available for new patients in part because of excessive time for non-clinical activities (e.g. bed assignment and room preparation). The findings suggest the importance of targeting both clinical and non-clinical processes when trying to improve patient flow, and highlight the value of observational analysis in identifying areas for improving healthcare delivery. Read the news brief.

Generating Enduring Solutions Through Partnership.

Presentations & Events

Chris Feudtner Delivers Grand Rounds at Montreal Children's Hospital

On November 30, 2011, PolicyLab's Chris Feudtner gave a Ground Rounds presentation at Montreal Children's Hospital. Dr. Feudtner spoke about the ethics of protecting complex medical care for children in a climate focused on cutting costs. The presentation was covered on the BLOOM Blog of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

PolicyLab Co-sponsors Symposium with the Social Work Policy Institute

On November 17, 2011 in Washington, D.C., PolicyLab co-sponsored a symposium entitled Children at Risk: Optimizing Health in an Era of Reform with the Social Work Policy Institute. The meeting convened advocates, academics, and policymakers. Sarah Zlotnik presented on bridging research and policy to improve the behavioral health of children in child welfare.