Document Type
A3
Publication Date
10-2018
Institution/Department
Pediatrics, Nursing, Maine Medical Center
Abstract
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CHILD LIFE SERVICES AND NURSING ON AN INPATIENT HOSPITAL UNIT
Effective communication between patient caregivers has been shown to reduce stress and trauma related to hospitalization and subsequent improved outcomes. An HCAHP score for a 30 bed acute inpatient pediatric unit illustrated the confusion faced by children as a result of nursing and care life specialists not working together as a team.
A root cause analysis identified a number of issues as to why patients were not benefitting fully from child life services. Several counter measures were instituted with the goals of improving the HCAHP score and increasing child life utilization.
Post KPI inception, there was an upward trend in the HCAHP score as well as a significant improvement in the creation of treatment plans between child life services and nursing.
Next steps include sustaining current level of collaboration between both teams and expanding child life services to other hospital units.
Recommended Citation
St. Pierre, Sherryann; Shaughnessy, Elizabeth; Kay, Bethany; Barbara Bush Children's Hospital; Parker, Mark; Nayak, Suneela; Hanselman, Ruth; Tyzik, Stephen; and Sparks, Amy, "Improving Communication Between Child Life Services and Nursing on an Inpatient Pediatric Unit" (2018). Operational Transformation. 5.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/opex/5
