AAP: Care of hospitalized adolescents

In a new policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explained how to meet the needs of hospitalized adolescents.

The statement “The hospitalized teenager” was published online on January 23, 2023 and in the February 2023 issue of Pediatrics. The unique ways adolescents are affected by hospitalization for acute and chronic illnesses are addressed in the statement.

According to the AAP, approximately 20% of pediatric hospitalizations in the United States are for adolescents between the ages of 11 and 20, during the developmental years when they are gaining skills and independence and need privacy and confidentiality.

“Adolescents are typically exploring what it means to be independent, and so being hospitalized can feel like a real setback,” said Cora C. Breuner, MD, MPH, FAAP, lead author of the policy statement. help support them, through hospital policies, services and care, and by ensuring that we respect the privacy, confidentiality issues and dignity of young patients.

The best setting for hospitalized adolescents, as defined by the AAP, is one that meets their legal, medical, psychosocial, equity, gender, privacy, confidentiality, and educational needs. This framework should also ensure safety and minimize disruption in the lives and developmental tasks of adolescents.

AAP recommendations include teaching adolescent health and well-being in hospitalist education and supporting policy development for hospitalized adolescents from hospital administrations, clinicians and medical specialists teenagers. The AAP also recommends communication between hospitals and primary care providers.

Care should be centered on confidentiality, according to the AAP. There should also be flexible visiting hours for friends and family, and doctors and other healthcare providers should receive anti-racism and anti-microaggression training. Arrangements must also be made for the activities of adolescents.

In order to continually improve adolescent care settings, researchers should uncover new and ongoing trends in adolescent hospitalization through the collection of demographic data.

“We love seeing teens involved in making decisions that affect their health in partnership with family members and the medical team,” Breuner said. “In difficult circumstances, adolescents deserve our compassion, respect and support.”

Reference

The American Academy of Pediatrics releases new recommendations for hospitalized adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics. January 23, 2023. Accessed January 23, 2023. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2022/american-academy-of-pediatrics-issues-new-recommendations-on-hospitalized-adolescents/