The goal of this study is to pilot the "support tool" in the Nemours Cardiac Center to assess acceptability and feasibility. This tool will be offered to 5 high-risk families, and they will be asked to complete a survey. In addition, healthcare providers including bed-side nurses and cardiologists will be asked to complete a survey to assess the feasibility of the tool.
Despite advances in the care of children with heart disease, those affected often remain in need of complex care after hospital discharge. Multiple medications, tube feeds, and medical equipment are a few of the care needs parents face upon leaving the hospital. Unsurprisingly, many parents report problems in the transition of care from the hospital to the home. Clinical providers express frustration related to challenges with family education and communication around the time of discharge. Research is required to identify intervention strategies to improve parent/ caregiver confidence with caring for their child after discharge and reduce unintended resource utilization after discharge including clinical deterioration, unplanned 30-day readmissions, emergency department (ED) visits and nonadherence to outpatient appointments. In Aim 1 of the study, the investigators identified the modifiable barriers, perceived needs, and opportunities for intervention to support parents/ caregivers in meeting the care needs of the high-risk child with heart disease after discharge by conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews with parents/ caregivers and healthcare personnel. And based on participants' responses, the investigators developed a support tool to improve parent/ caregiver comfort with caring for the high-risk child and improve post discharge outcomes. The objective of this study is to pilot this support tool in 5 high-risk families in Nemours Cardiac Center and assess the acceptability and feasibility based on their experience.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Pre-discharge intervention- * Set expectations for parents/caregivers to spend time bedside and attend rounds * iPad for the families to use the Nemours App, download education materials and Facetime communication with medical personnel. * Download Nemours App and teach them how to use it * Education materials- to ease the use of medications, Oxygen and feeding * Assistance with transportation, child care, parental work schedule for discharge teaching Post Discharge intervention (Day 1-2): • Video/Facetime call with the family to check equipment, home environment and answer questions about medications and formula Post discharge intervention (Day 3-7): • Phone call to the family to ensure transportation for their first follow-up appointment, answer questions about medications, Oxygen and feeding.
Nemours Children's Hospital
Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Acceptability of support tool
By administering surveys to 5 families
Time frame: 12 weeks
Feasibility of support tool
By administering surveys to the bed-side nurses and cardiologists.
Time frame: 12 weeks
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