Pediatric Nursing Commons^™

Advancing Safe Medication Administration During Pediatric Emergency Care Through Nurse Education: A Quality Improvement Project, Ciera Hunter

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Due to the increased complexities of pediatric medication administration, preventable errors occur at a higher rate than in general adult populations. Rural emergency departments (EDs) often see fewer pediatric patients and have less specialized support available on-site. Nurse continuing education is an evidence-based intervention to reduce medication administration errors making it vital to supporting patient safety and maintaining pediatric readiness.

Local Problem: The microsystem is a rural, critical access hospital in northern New England. In 2021, the microsystem scored 66/81 on the National Pediatric Readiness Project’s (NPRP’s) ED Assessment. In 2026, the score dropped 11 points to 55/81. Contributing …

Increasing Patient Feedback Survey Completions Through Patient-Centered Nursing Communication: A Quality Improvement Project, Lindsey E. Pawlowski

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Patient feedback is essential to providing the best possible nursing care. Positive patient experiences can impact overall patient satisfaction, loyalty, and trust.

Local Problem: On a pediatric unit at a New England hospital, an assessment of the microsystem revealed that there was a low number of monthly patient feedback survey completions, which limited insight into patient experiences.

Aim Statement: The primary aim of this project was to increase the number of monthly National Research Corporation (NRC) surveys to ten by June 30, 2026.

Methods: This quality improvement project was guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. The first stage of …

Feeding With Competence: Empowering Parents In Ng Feeding For Nicu Graduates: A Quality Improvement Project, Karen Marsh

DNP Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Background: Infants who are born prematurely stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until they are able to take full enteral nutrition by mouth. While in the NICU a nasogastric tube (NG tube) would be used to supplement the volume needed to be ingested for optimal nutrition. Infants typically feed better with a consistent caregiver and at home in an environment with less stimulation. Allowing infants to be discharged with an NG tube allows the parents to be more involved in their infant's care with a shorter hospital stay. An increased number of infants being discharged home with …

A Quality Improvement Project To Enhance Chronic-Condition And Self-Care Knowledge In Adolescents With Spina Bifida, Ann Paris

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background: Spina Bifida is the most common central nervous system disorder in the United States (CDC, 2024). Even with early surgical repair, patients may have chronic, disabling, multisystem needs (Phillips et al., 2017). Adequate care of Spina Bifida requires a multidisciplinary approach. As such, patients with spina bifida require multiple specialty providers, clinic appointments, care-tasks, and interventions (CDC, 2024, Phillips, et al., 2017). Synthesizing information from multiple care providers can be daunting, especially for adolescents as they grow more autonomous in their care, and especially as they enter the age of pediatric-to-adult transition (Psihogios et al., 2015).

Purpose: …

A Quality Improvement Project: Increasing Pre-Term Infant Safety By Enhancing Skin-To-Skin Time In The Nicu, Maureen A. Cassidy

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Skin-to-skin (STS) contact, also known as kangaroo care, is a critical intervention for preterm infants, especially for those in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It promotes neurodevelopmental outcomes, physiological stability, and parental bonding. However, STS often falls below recommended daily levels due to a variety of berries. Exploring aids like belly bands may help address these barriers and promote improved outcomes.

Local Problem: STS time in this NICU microsystem falls significantly below nationally recommended levels, with most preterm infants receiving less than one to two hours daily compared to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 8-24 hours per …

Implementation Of An Electronic New Patient Intake Questionnaire (E-Npiq) In A Child Development Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Wilma Hyde

DNP Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND: A rural academic medical center child development clinic in New Hampshire experienced high volumes and inefficient workflows, causing delays in care. With a referral rate at 5-fold capacity, the need to create an efficient intake process that allowed for triage and data collection was apparent.

PURPOSE: Institute an integrated electronic new patient intake questionnaire (e-NPIQ) to improve work efficiency.

METHODS: A literature review on barriers and enablers for patient uptake of electronic questionnaires guided best practices for workflow redesign. The project instituted an integrated e-NPIQ while simultaneously creating a standardized new patient intake process. A mixed methods approach analyzed …

Using Education To Confidently Identify And Report Concerns Of Child Abuse And Neglect: A Qualitative Improvement Initiative Through Staff Development, Sarah E. Neilson

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Pre-licensure education on child abuse and neglect is crucial for nurses in the healthcare field. It helps to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, report, and intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect. Having this education available and understanding the signs and effects of child abuse and neglect, empowers nurses to take quick and decisive action in early intervention and prevention. Within the microsystem of a local Operating Room (OR), this quality improvement (QI) project will determine the muchneeded addition to the healthcare curriculum.

METHODS: The Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) framework was …

Increasing Pediatric Vaccination Rates Through Parental Education At A Federally Qualified Community Health Center: An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project, Dayna Dicola

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Childhood immunization rates for children aged 2 years and under at a community health center were assessed and determined to be below optimal levels. Immunizations protect against preventable diseases (Hill, 2023). The project assessed the microsystem to understand low immunization rates and to guide strategies for improvement.

Methods: The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model was used. In the planning phase, key stakeholders were consulted to assess current rates and barriers contributing to immunization rates. The chosen intervention was placed simplified immunization schedules in pediatric exam rooms to educate parents and promote adherence.

Intervention: A visual guide detailing the recommended vaccination schedule …

Assessing And Improving Pediatric Nurses' Documentation Of Childhood Immunization Status Using The Electronic Health Record, Katherine Engalichev

Master's Theses and Capstones

BACKGROUND: Adherence to the standardized childhood immunization schedule put forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics is the gold standard for decreasing vaccine-preventable disease morbidity. The first step to improving adherence with the recommended immunization schedule is identifying children who are under-immunized. The inpatient setting offers an opportunity to screen pediatric patients for immunization status. A survey was administered to nurses working on an inpatient pediatric unit to gauge nurse self-report of Cerner™ Electronic Health Record (EHR) use for immunization documentation, their perceptions regarding EHR ease of use for documenting pediatric immunization status, attitudes towards documenting immunization status, and perceived …

Implementing Daily Schedules To Prevent Episodes Of Agitation In Pediatric Patients Boarding In The Emergency Department With Behavioral Health Diagnoses., Alex W. Carbone, Kathleen Kiley Bsn, Rn, Cpen, Anne Meginniss Msn, Fnp-Bc, Kerry Nolte Phd, Fnp-C, Debra Lajoie Jd, Phd, Msn, Rn, Esq.

Honors Theses and Capstones

Abstract

Background: Pediatric psychiatric emergencies have been recognized as a national crisis in the United States (Roman et al., 2018). Emergency department (ED) visits for pediatric behavioral health (BH) conditions rose 31% from April 2020 to October 2020 (Bartek et al., 2021). This increase in ED visits for BH concerns, matched with overwhelmed inpatient psychiatric treatment centers and lacking community support programs, has resulted in an increase in BH ED boarders (Bartek et al., 2021). This population of patients who remain in the ED while awaiting placement at a psychiatric care program are at risk for prolonged boarding durations in …

Increasing Rn Attendance In Family-Centered Rounds: A Quality Improvement Project, Katherine Power

Master's Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Documenting Body Mass Index And Lifestyle Counseling For Pediatric Patients: A Quality Improvement Project At A Federally Qualified Healthcare Facility, Taylor R. Graziano

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Screening and monitoring growth throughout childhood and adolescence, as well as providing the necessary education on positive lifestyle choices is vital in combating the childhood obesity epidemic. Counseling children on the importance of nutrition and physical activity also helps to prevent numerous comorbid conditions associated with obesity. The United States. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that healthcare workers screen for obesity at least annually in all patients 3-17 years of age, as well as offer lifestyle counseling regardless of Body Mass Index ranking.

Aim: The aim of this quality improvement project was to improve the current percentage of pediatric …

Pediatric Emergency Department Nurse’S Knowledge And Attitudes Of Pediatric Fluid Resuscitation, Tannah Kimberly O'Brien, Kerry Nolte Phd, Fnp-C, Denise Downey Msn, Rn-Bc, Cpen, Debra Lajoie Jd, Phd, Msn, Rn, Esq., Allison Ivers Msn, Rn, Cnl, Kathleen Sultan Bsn, Rn, Cpen

Honors Theses and Capstones

Background: Rapid fluid resuscitation is essential to the management of pediatric shock, but there are many barriers to published guideline adherence. Limited evidence describing emergency department (ED) nurse’s knowledge and attitudes of fluid resuscitation exists. This study described pediatric ED nurse’s knowledge and attitudes of fluid resuscitation.

Methods: This single-site descriptive study used survey methodology. A 23-question survey was distributed to nurses in the ED at Boston Children’s Hospital. The survey measured nurse’s knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers to fluid resuscitation.

Results: Findings suggested gaps found between actual and perceived knowledge consistent with prior evidence. There was a 50.9% response …

Timely Follow Up Care After Initiation Of Adhd Medication In Children: A Quality Improvement Project, Rebecca Haas

DNP Scholarly Projects

Background: Enhancing medication safety, strengthening compliance and mitigating side effects requires close monitoring. A child, defined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as being between the ages of 6 years and 12 years of ages, with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) must have an initial medication visit within 30 days of a first-time trial of ADHD medication. Increasing staff awareness of organizational policy of expected timeframe for medication checks and annotating appointment slots as initial medication checks will decrease the number of days between the first-time trial of ADHD medication and a child’s medication assessment. Methods: The Model for …

Improving Emergency Department Nurses' Self-Perceived Self-Efficacy In Early Recognition Of Patients In A Mental Health Crisis, Mary Kay Silverman

DNP Scholarly Projects

Abstract

The two largest counties within Southwest Florida (SWFL) are Lee and Collier where mental health evaluations for children under the state’s Baker Act have more than doubled between 2011 and 2017 (Gluck & Zeitlin, 2019, p. 4). Given the marked increase in mental health evaluations, early recognition, assessment with initiation of treatment by nurses in the pediatric emergency department (ED) who present with behavioral health complaints must be a priority for emergency department leaders. Purpose: This quality improvement (QI) project proposed to improve a nurses’ self-efficacy through expanding knowledge in the recognition and identification of the signs and symptoms …

A Program To Prepare Frontline Nurse Leaders For Peer Review, Suzanne K. Murdock

DNP Scholarly Projects

Introduction: The purpose of nursing peer review is to assess the quality of nursing care against established standards, identify strengths and weaknesses in practice, and identify knowledge gaps. Studies of nurse peer review predominantly focuse on staff nurse attitudes and knowledge after an educational intervention and barriers to implementation. Frontline nurse leaders (FLNL) can influence adoption of new practices such as peer review.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to engage frontline nurse leaders in a role specific peer review program, preparing them to support their staff in the implementation of peer review in the future and providing an …

Colorful Perspectives: Caring For Sick Children In Pune, India, Rachael Butterfield

Inquiry Journal 2011

No abstract provided.