title: Improving care of HIV-infected patients in the outpatient setting with patient data flow sheets.
abstract: Medical management of pediatric/adolescent HIV has become increasingly complex, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to care. Close clinical monitoring is needed to minimize opportunistic infections, initiate appropriate antiretroviral therapy, and ensure optimal health care to the patient. Monitoring should include evaluation of efficacy and side effects of therapy, early detection and treatment of HIV-associated complications, and maintenance of current immunizations. Tracking clinical data in chronically ill patients is a difficult task without an effective monitoring system. A patient data flow sheet was created to assist in planning care and monitoring disease progression by consolidating clinical information into an organized, one-page summary for each patient. One year after the patient data flow sheets were instituted, there was a significant improvement in the consistency of obtaining and monitoring routine HIV labs as well as serologies, and other recommended tests. The flow sheets have increased effectiveness of patient care and have been used to assist with quality assurance monitoring and quality improvement in the clinic setting.
authors.affiliation: All Children's Hospital/University of South Florida, Pediatric/Adolescent HIV Program, St. Petersburg, USA. brownc@allkids.org
authors.forename: Cynthia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Nutthapong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tangsinmankong
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000555:Ambulatory Care Information Systems; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D018450:Disease Progression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008499:Medical Records; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010349:Patient Compliance