ImproveCareNow advocates for children with IBD

Improve CareNow™ is an international consortium of pediatric gastroenterologists, clinicians, researchers, patients and parents whose goal is to improve the care of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate, a consortium member since 2013, is one of more than 100 care centers globally with almost 1,000 pediatric gastroenterologists taking part in collaborative efforts to continuously improve the care we deliver to patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Since its inception in 2007, the network has increased the number of children in clinical remission from 55% to 82% – all without the development of new IBD medications!

As part of this quality work, the consortium developed IBD Model Care Guidelines to provide consistent and reliable care throughout the network. Guidelines include several metrics deemed important in caring for our pediatric patients with IBD. Some of these include satisfactory nutrition, growth and steroid-free remission.

In Greenville, we have exceeded the network target in all these measures, according to physician leader Liz Dancel, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children’s Hospital–Upstate. Dr. Dancel also notes that educational materials are provided to all patients with IBD, particularly to anyone newly diagnosed.

Our multidisciplinary team not only includes physicians, but also our dietitian, psychologist, nurses and medical and research staff. All are involved in delivering the best “whole child” care possible.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Dancel said that there was a very active and engaged Parent Working Group led by several of the families our IBD team have had the pleasure of taking care of over the years. They initiated and developed a quarterly parent newsletter and helped organize family picnics. The hope is that these activities can resume soon.

The providers at Children’s Hospital–Upstate are very proud of the network’s efforts and look forward to continuing to improve the quality of care for our pediatric patients with IBD.

To learn more, visit https://www.improvecarenow.org/ or call Dr. Dancel at 864-454-5125

Liz Dancel, MD

Hospitals receive international honors

Greenville Memorial and Richland hospitals received the IBCLC Care Award for 2022 (IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). This global recognition program honors lactation services dedicated to making expert help available when breastfeeding families need it. Services include a lactation warmline, outpatient and telehealth visits, sales or rentals of breastfeeding supplies, support groups and classes.