CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Personalized Therapeutics // Our research seeks to identify pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and pharmacogenetic factors to explain differences in clinical response to drugs and adverse events in pediatric patients. One important focus area is immunomodulating therapies in organ transplantation. With funding from the Anderson Center, we worked with David Hooper, MD, and members of Nephrology, Biomedical Informatics, and the Adherence Center to create a decision support system that provides real-time patient data for more precise management of immune suppressing medication. We also work with the Genetic Pharmacology Service, the first of its kind in a pediatric institution, on studies of neuropsychiatric drugs. Pharmacometrics and Quantitative Pharmacology // As part of the medical center’s personalized pain initiative, we identify drug metabolizing genotypes and phenotypes to improve pain management and reduce adverse events. One joint effort with Anesthesia seeks to identify factors that can help customize morphine dosing for postsurgical patients. Another joint effort with the Center for Bariatric Research and Innovation developed a dosing algorithm for the use of propofol in bariatric surgery. We also worked with the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute to study the use of sirolimus in children with NF1 and plexiform neurofibromas. Results have been submitted for publication. Training Program in Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology // We are one of three sites awarded a pediatric clinical and developmental pharmacology training grant from the National Institutes of Health. This postdoctoral program seeks to train clinical investigators to become leading innovators in pediatric therapeutics. The program has recruited two talented trainees: Dawn Pinchasik, MD, a second year fellow in Pediatric HematologyOncology and Jason Wiles, MD, a first year Neonatology fellow.
In the past decade, Cincinnati Children’s reduced PICU mortality by 43 percent and hospital mortality rates by 34 percent.
CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE RACE for Results // Cincinnati Children’s won the 2012 RACE for Results Award from the Children’s Hospital Association for reductions in mortality rates. In the past decade, Cincinnati Children’s reduced PICU mortality by 43 percent and hospital mortality rates by 34 percent. These improvements reflect aggressive efforts to reduce hospital acquired infections, implement electronic health records, improve recognition of clinical deterioration, prevent codes outside of the PICU and mandated hospital wide safety training. This is the fourth time Cincinnati Children’s has won this prestigious award and the second time that the PICU has received the award. Licensing 3D Animations // Ken Tegtmeyer, MD, and medical animator Jeff Cimprich licensed 3D heart catheterization animations to LungRx this year. This represents the first external marketing of 3D animations from the Critical Care Media Lab, which has been producing 3D animations and clinical research videos for nearly four years. Faculty Recognition // Ken Tegtmeyer, MD, was elected Chair of the Society of Critical Care Medicine Pediatric Section. Basilia Zinarelli, MD, PhD, was elected President of the North American/United States Shock Society. And Jennifer Kaplan, MD, was appointed to be a permanent study section member for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pediatrics Subcommittee.
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