Authors

  1. Klug, Janie MSN, RN, CCRN
  2. Hall, Christine BSN, RN, CCRN
  3. Delaplane, Emily A. LCSW
  4. Meehan, Caitlin CCLS
  5. Negrin, Karli MS-CCC-SLP
  6. Mieczkowski, Dana PT, DPT
  7. Russell, Sarah K. PT
  8. Hamilton, Bridy O. OTR/L
  9. Hehir, David A. MD
  10. Sood, Erica PhD

Abstract

Background: Limited opportunities for parents to care for their critically ill infant after cardiac surgery can lead to parental unpreparedness and distress.

 

Purpose: This project aimed to create and test a bedside visual tool to increase parent partnership in developmentally supportive infant care after cardiac surgery.

 

Methods: The Care Partnership Pyramid was created by a multidisciplinary team and incorporated feedback from nurses and parents. Three Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles tested its impact on parent partnership in care. Information about developmentally supportive care provided by parents during each 12-hour shift was extracted from nursing documentation. A staff survey evaluated perceptions of the tool and informed modifications.

 

Results: Changes in parent partnership during PDSA 1 did not reach statistical significance. Staff perceived that the tool was generally useful for the patient/family but was sometimes overlooked, prompting its inclusion in the daily goals checklist. For PDSA 2 and 3, parents were more often observed participating in rounds, asking appropriate questions, providing environmental comfort, assisting with the daily care routine, and changing diapers.

 

Implications for Practice: Use of a bedside visual tool may lead to increased parent partnership in care for infants after cardiac surgery.

 

Implications for Research: Future projects are needed to examine the impact of bedside care partnership interventions on parent preparedness, family well-being, and infant outcomes.