Family Practice Nursing Commons^™

Improving Caregiver Health Literacy Of Pediatric Febrile Illness: A Patient Care Initiative, Rebecca T. Shipley

DNP Final Reports

Background: Pediatric fever, though typically harmless and incredibly common, can cause substantial fear and anxiety for caregivers unfamiliar with how to manage or treat this condition at home. Studies evaluating pediatric emergency department (ED) rates have repeatedly found fever to be a leading reason for clinical evaluation. Local EDs record percentages as high as 40% of pediatric patients seek evaluation primarily for fever. Purpose: Provide educational resources for high-risk populations to reference at home regarding fever so that avoidable ED visits decreased and caregiver knowledge of fever improved. Methods: An educational program was implemented at a pediatric primary care clinic …