American Heart Association, Inc.
PROCESS IMPROVEMENT FOR PEDIATRIC SUPPORTIVE CARE
>> LYA M. STROUPE, DNP, RN, CPNP
BACKGROUND | The death of a child is one of the most painful experiences a parent can endure. About 53,000 infants and children die each year in the US, with more than 50 percent of these deaths occurring in hospitals. Approximately 27 percent of these deaths are preventable. Regardless of outcome, all families deserve to be supported by knowledgeable staff. Supportive care is defined as a comprehensive, interdisciplinary care focused on promoting quality of life for both patients living with terminal illness and their loved ones. Studies show that families of critically ill children would benefit from staff knowledgeable about family communication and dynamics, as well as end-of-life care. The Institute of Medicine highlighted the need to understand and develop strategies for supporting health care workers so
SCREENING FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SETTING
>> EVELYN R. COE, DNP, APRN
they can provide quality care. Although there has been a strong movement to improve supportive care, the literature reveals gaps that exist between the family’s needs and the adequacy of care provided by health care professionals.
PURPOSE | To determine if nurses’ increasing knowledge and using standardized checklists could improve the number of consults for children with life-threatening
BACKGROUND | Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) affects over 8 million people in the US. Individuals with PAD are at high risk for developing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is a noninvasive test used to measure PAD but it is rarely performed in a rural health setting.
or life-limiting conditions.
PURPOSE | To improve ABI
This knowledge could build
screening in a rural community
staff confidence levels and
health setting and determine if
staff readiness and improve
there is a difference in results
teamwork and ultimately
obtained in the vascular lab
improve patient outcomes.
following referral for a positive
RESULTS | Consults to the supportive care team increased and parent/patient satisfaction scores improved after using the computer-based module that was developed to increase knowledge of supportive care. PUBLICATION | Stroupe, L.M. (2013). Process improvement for pediatric supportive care.
Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 15(8), 479-484.
community ABI screen.
DR. EVELYN R. COE DNP GRADUATION: December 2013
CURRENT POSITION:
DR. LYA M. STROUPE DNP GRADUATION: December 2013
CURRENT POSITION: Nursing research and professional development manager, West Virginia University Healthcare. Learn more about Dr. Stroupe on p. 29.
RESULTS | There was an increase Family nurse from 61 percent to practitioner in a rural health clinic 71 percent in positive ABIs for designated as a rural community health screenfederally qualified ings suggesting that additional health center provider training increased the accuracy of ABI screening. Community ABI screenings are cost effective and based on these findings, clinicians should receive additional training to correctly perform ABI screening so that early identification can lead to early intervention.
SPRING | SUMMER 2014
Lifelines
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