Dr. Natalie Jayaram Awarded Grant to Study Characteristics for Congenital Heart Surgery Between Centers That Do and Do Not Publicly Report Outcomes
Natalie Jayaram, MD, Heart Center, was recently awarded a two-year, $267,724 KL2 Clinical Research Scholar grant from Frontiers: University of
Kansas Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Dr. Jayaram’s study will use data from the State Inpatient Database (SID) to compare the characteristics and the case-mix complexity for congenital heart surgery between centers that do and do not publicly report their outcomes. It will also determine the effects of public reporting over time on outcomes among those centers that voluntarily report outcomes for congenital heart surgery versus those that do not.
“In an era where the public demands increased transparency related to health care outcomes, both voluntary and mandatory public reporting are becoming increasingly common. Proponents of public reporting contend that it creates pressure to improve outcomes, while detractors suggest that it discourages providers from treating higher-risk patients who may benefit most from treatment. The data regarding the impact of public reporting on improving care, however, is mixed and whether or not public reporting clearly results in improved patient outcomes is not well understood,” Dr. Jayaram said. “It is thus critical to define the impact of public reporting on patient selection and outcomes and to define methods for transparent disclosure that minimize unintended consequences, while providing consumers with accurate and actionable data that helps them make informed decisions regarding their care.”
As Dr. Jayaram explains, congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of congenital anomaly occurring in approximately 1% of all live births. She hopes that, through what is learned in her study, she can elevate the quality of care for children with CHD.
Children’s Mercy Kansas City is an independent, non-profit, 390-bed pediatric health system, providing over half a million patient encounters each year for children from across the country. Children’s Mercy is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in all ten specialties. We have received Magnet® recognition five times for excellence in nursing services. In affiliation with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, our faculty of nearly 800 pediatric specialists and researchers is actively involved in clinical care, pediatric research and educating the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. The Children’s Mercy Research Institute (CMRI) integrates research and clinical care with nationally recognized expertise in genomic medicine, precision therapeutics, population health, health care innovation and emerging infections. In 2021 the CMRI moved into a nine-story, 375,000-square-foot space emphasizing a translational approach to research in which clinicians and researchers work together to accelerate the pace of discovery that enhances care.