ABSTRACT
Pediatric nurses are well aware of patient medication refusal. For a variety of reasons, many pediatric patients are noncompliant with their medication regimen. Medication administration is even more difficult when the population has severe intellectual and behavioral disabilities. An inpatient unit composed of children with these diagnoses presented a unique challenge. To address this issue, the unit RNs devised a medication compliance protocol. Initial implementation resulted in a success rate of 83.3% for six patients, after 4 weeks. Despite the small sample size, the RNs experienced a positive outcome with medication administration through consistent application of a medication compliance protocol.
Subject(s)
Child Behavior Disorders/drug therapy , Intellectual Disability/drug therapy , Medication Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Pediatric Nursing/methods , Pharmaceutical Preparations/administration & dosage , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Child, Preschool , Disabled Children/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Inpatients , Intellectual Disability/diagnosis , Male , Needs Assessment , Pediatrics , Severity of Illness Index , United StatesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To outline the process and thoroughly discuss the methods used to transition from an external rapid response team to an internal rapid response team. METHODS: The medical complexities of the patient population at Kennedy Krieger Institute, coupled with a retrospective data review of past "code calls," revealed a rapid response team was essential. The anticipated loss of the current external rapid response team indicated that an alternative solution would need to be designed. Over a 2-year period, an internal medical response team was developed and implemented to address the potential medical emergency needs of our acute care rehabilitation patients. RESULTS: The outcome from all "code calls" since the implementation of the internal rapid response team has been markedly positive. DISCUSSION: Comprehensive planning involving many team members, detailed communication with external resources, and extensive education resulted in a seamless transition from an external rapid response team to an internal response team. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Freestanding rehabilitation centers do not have the in-house rapid response team resources that an acute care hospital utilizes to address potential medical emergencies. The development and implementation of an internal rapid response team can meet these needs.
Subject(s)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/nursing , Emergency Medical Services/organization & administration , Intensive Care Units, Pediatric/organization & administration , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Patient Care Team/organization & administration , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods , Child , Humans , Program Development , Program Evaluation , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Healthcare providers have the unique opportunity to provide care and treatment to patients with complex medical needs. They learn early in their careers that the care they provide doesn't just include the patient. Communication is essential across the continuum and involves multiple providers and the family. An interdisciplinary team facilitates a comprehensive plan for recovery and treatment. This case study centers on the interdisciplinary approach to the rehabilitation continuum of care across the spectrum and its effects on patient outcomes.
