Date of Publication

2020

Project Team

Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Laurent, PhD, APRN and Community Mentor: Iris Toedt-Pingel, MD

Abstract

Purpose: Needle procedures are traumatic experiences for pediatric patients, and have been linked to formation of phobias and lifelong decreased healthcare utilization.1,2 Pain management during needle procedures and hospital wide standardization of needle procedures are known to increase patient satisfaction, while decreasing long-term adverse outcomes related to seeking health care.3,4 The purpose of this project was to develop a hospital-wide standardized policy for pediatric needle procedures at an academic medical center.

Methods: Those performing pediatric needle procedures were electronically surveyed to identify full spectrum issues regarding adoption of a pediatric needle policy. Based on survey findings and current evidenced based practices, a new policy for pain reduction strategies in pediatric needle procedures was developed. The policy was re-evaluated and refined based on feedback obtained via a follow-up survey regarding the drafted policy.

Results: Subjects (n=40) from six departments participated. Common reported barriers were patient and family response (32.5%), time constraints (22.5%), poor staff education (17.5%), and lack of access to resources (15%). Respondents reported a standardized policy would address the barriers to offering pain management and increasing access to resources needed. Post survey follow up revealed that 100% of stakeholders felt the policy was “mostly” or “definitely” feasible for adoption throughout the organization.

Conclusions: Employees endorse a standardized policy for pediatric needle procedures, and key personnel have shown their support for its adoption. Therefore, in order to decrease the likelihood of childhood trauma and increase healthcare utilization in adulthood, the academic medical center will adopt this project’s developed policy.

Document Type

Project

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