Abstract
Session presented on: Tuesday, November 19, 2013:
Background: Epinephrine calculation errors during neonatal resuscitation of low birth weight and very low birth weight babies can significantly affect outcomes in terms of mortality and morbidity. An extensive review of literature concluded that medication errors in the calculation of Epinephrine during resuscitation can occur when providers rely on memory, lack access to needed information, safety techniques or standardized procedures (Benner, Sheets, Uris, Malloch, Schwed, & Jamison, 2002; Karlsen, 2006).
Methodology: A quantitative quasi-experimental pilot research study measured the effectiveness of a researcher-designed Epi Chart, a pre-calculated intravenous and endotracheal Epinephrine dosage chart, specific to babies weighing less than three kilograms used during neonatal resuscitation. The study was a convenient sample of 86 healthcare professionals working in Labor and Delivery, Newborn Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care, and the Postpartum Unit of a large tertiary center. Subjects were asked the same Epinephrine dosage calculation question. The experimental group used the Epi Chart and the control group relied on memory for the question response. Correct responses were compared between the experimental and control groups.
Results: Chi-square test demonstrated the effectiveness of the researcher designed Epi Chart in the accuracy of responses in Epinephrine doses in the experimental group at the 0.01 alpha level (99% statistical confidence). The experimental group who used the Epi Chart had significantly more correct dosages than the control group (p-value <0.0001).
Conclusion: Utilization of the researcher developed Epi Chart will result in a reduction of medication errors during neonatal resuscitation. Future Plans: Replication of this study in different geographical areas.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quasi-Experimental Study, Other
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Neonatal Resuscitation, Research, Patient Safety
Recommended Citation
Rotramel, Gaye, "Neonatal epinephrine: Reducing calculation errors" (2013). Convention. 22.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2013/presentations_2013/22
Conference Name
42nd Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2013
Rights Holder
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All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Neonatal epinephrine: Reducing calculation errors
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Session presented on: Tuesday, November 19, 2013:
Background: Epinephrine calculation errors during neonatal resuscitation of low birth weight and very low birth weight babies can significantly affect outcomes in terms of mortality and morbidity. An extensive review of literature concluded that medication errors in the calculation of Epinephrine during resuscitation can occur when providers rely on memory, lack access to needed information, safety techniques or standardized procedures (Benner, Sheets, Uris, Malloch, Schwed, & Jamison, 2002; Karlsen, 2006).
Methodology: A quantitative quasi-experimental pilot research study measured the effectiveness of a researcher-designed Epi Chart, a pre-calculated intravenous and endotracheal Epinephrine dosage chart, specific to babies weighing less than three kilograms used during neonatal resuscitation. The study was a convenient sample of 86 healthcare professionals working in Labor and Delivery, Newborn Nursery, Neonatal Intensive Care, and the Postpartum Unit of a large tertiary center. Subjects were asked the same Epinephrine dosage calculation question. The experimental group used the Epi Chart and the control group relied on memory for the question response. Correct responses were compared between the experimental and control groups.
Results: Chi-square test demonstrated the effectiveness of the researcher designed Epi Chart in the accuracy of responses in Epinephrine doses in the experimental group at the 0.01 alpha level (99% statistical confidence). The experimental group who used the Epi Chart had significantly more correct dosages than the control group (p-value <0.0001).
Conclusion: Utilization of the researcher developed Epi Chart will result in a reduction of medication errors during neonatal resuscitation. Future Plans: Replication of this study in different geographical areas.
Description
42nd Biennial Convention 2013 Theme: Give Back to Move Forward. Held at the JW Marriott