Abstract
Purpose: Dissatisfaction with the port access experience in the Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) was noted by increased verbal feedback from patients, families and nursing staff, which included lack of understanding by families of the importance of timely port access. The project goal was to increase nurse and patient satisfaction during port access in the ED, as indicated by at least 70% of respondents rating their port access experience as either Excellent or Good.
Design: This was a process improvement project, whereby data was collected through a qualitative approach.
Setting: Settings included the Pediatric ED, the Pediactric Oncology inpatient unit and the Pediatric Oncology outpatient clinic of a Pediatric level I trauma center.
Participants/Subjects: For pediatric patients and their familes to participate in the pre and post-intervention questionnaire, the patient's port had to have been accessed within the previous 6 months. There was no inclusion criteria during the implementation period of the project. This project excluded patients that were visiting from out of state, and patients that didn't have an Oncologic condition. All ED nurses participated in this project. All questionnaires were anonymous. Patient and family questionnaires were handed out by Oncology nurses to produce honest feedback.
Methods: A pre and post-intervention questionnaire was developed to assess patient and family satisfaction with port access in the ED. Participants rated their port access as either Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor and were also able to provide additional comments. ED nurses were also assessed pre and post-intervention on port access frequency, training, and comfort level. Comfort level was assessed using a 10-point scale with 10 being very comfortable. The port pass, a handheld card, sized to fit in a wallet, that lists essential information on patient's port access needs and preferences, was created. The port pass was created to streamline port access and provide comfort to families. An education sheet was handed out to families listing information on Sepsis and the importance of arriving to the ED with lidocaine cream on the port site for promt access. Select ED nurses were chosen to become Port Resource nurses. These nurses received one-on -one training from the Pediatric Oncology Learning Specialist, spent additional time accessing ports in the Pediatric Oncology outpatient clinic and completed port and central line care competencies to act as a resource for fellow nurses.
Results/Outcomes: Pre-intervention 44% of patients and families rated their port access experience in the ED as Excellent or Good. One month post-intervention, 88% gave this rating, with 100% in the two subsequent months. Pre-intervention, 73% of ED nurses reported their comfort level with accessing ports as 8-10. Post-intervention 100% gave this rating.
Implications: This project demonstrates that interdepartmental collaboartion is key to successful outcomes. Increased satisfaction during port access in the ED was obtained through communication and education among ED nurses, Oncology nurses, and patients and their families. Establishing port resource nurses and implementation of the port pass are things that can be utilized in any department that cares for patients of any age, with a port.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Pediatric Oncology Patients, Patient Satisfaction, Emergency Department
Recommended Citation
Thomareas, Vasiliki; Carroll, Jamie; Thelen, Jennifer; and Bradley, Elizabeth, "Port access experience: A pediatric emergency and oncology interdepartmental collaboration" (2017). General Submissions: Presenations (Oral and Poster). 153.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/gen_sub_presentations/2017/posters/153
Conference Name
Emergency Nursing 2017
Conference Host
Emergency Nurses Association
Conference Location
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Conference Year
2017
Rights Holder
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Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Port access experience: A pediatric emergency and oncology interdepartmental collaboration
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Purpose: Dissatisfaction with the port access experience in the Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) was noted by increased verbal feedback from patients, families and nursing staff, which included lack of understanding by families of the importance of timely port access. The project goal was to increase nurse and patient satisfaction during port access in the ED, as indicated by at least 70% of respondents rating their port access experience as either Excellent or Good.
Design: This was a process improvement project, whereby data was collected through a qualitative approach.
Setting: Settings included the Pediatric ED, the Pediactric Oncology inpatient unit and the Pediatric Oncology outpatient clinic of a Pediatric level I trauma center.
Participants/Subjects: For pediatric patients and their familes to participate in the pre and post-intervention questionnaire, the patient's port had to have been accessed within the previous 6 months. There was no inclusion criteria during the implementation period of the project. This project excluded patients that were visiting from out of state, and patients that didn't have an Oncologic condition. All ED nurses participated in this project. All questionnaires were anonymous. Patient and family questionnaires were handed out by Oncology nurses to produce honest feedback.
Methods: A pre and post-intervention questionnaire was developed to assess patient and family satisfaction with port access in the ED. Participants rated their port access as either Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor and were also able to provide additional comments. ED nurses were also assessed pre and post-intervention on port access frequency, training, and comfort level. Comfort level was assessed using a 10-point scale with 10 being very comfortable. The port pass, a handheld card, sized to fit in a wallet, that lists essential information on patient's port access needs and preferences, was created. The port pass was created to streamline port access and provide comfort to families. An education sheet was handed out to families listing information on Sepsis and the importance of arriving to the ED with lidocaine cream on the port site for promt access. Select ED nurses were chosen to become Port Resource nurses. These nurses received one-on -one training from the Pediatric Oncology Learning Specialist, spent additional time accessing ports in the Pediatric Oncology outpatient clinic and completed port and central line care competencies to act as a resource for fellow nurses.
Results/Outcomes: Pre-intervention 44% of patients and families rated their port access experience in the ED as Excellent or Good. One month post-intervention, 88% gave this rating, with 100% in the two subsequent months. Pre-intervention, 73% of ED nurses reported their comfort level with accessing ports as 8-10. Post-intervention 100% gave this rating.
Implications: This project demonstrates that interdepartmental collaboartion is key to successful outcomes. Increased satisfaction during port access in the ED was obtained through communication and education among ED nurses, Oncology nurses, and patients and their families. Establishing port resource nurses and implementation of the port pass are things that can be utilized in any department that cares for patients of any age, with a port.