Patient/Family Education for Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Oncology Patients.

There is a paucity of data to support evidence-based practices in the provision of patient/family education in the context of a new childhood cancer diagnosis. Since the majority of children with cancer are treated on pediatric oncology clinical trials, lack of effective patient/family education has the potential to negatively affect both patient and clinical trial outcomes. The Children's Oncology Group Nursing Discipline convened an interprofessional expert panel from within and beyond pediatric oncology to review available and emerging evidence and develop expert consensus recommendations regarding harmonization of patient/family education practices for newly diagnosed pediatric oncology patients across institutions. Five broad principles, with associated recommendations, were identified by the panel, including recognition that (1) in pediatric oncology, patient/family education is family-centered; (2) a diagnosis of childhood cancer is overwhelming and the family needs time to process the diagnosis and develop a plan for managing ongoing life demands before they can successfully learn to care for the child; (3) patient/family education should be an interprofessional endeavor with 3 key areas of focus: (a) diagnosis/treatment, (b) psychosocial coping, and (c) care of the child; (4) patient/family education should occur across the continuum of care; and (5) a supportive environment is necessary to optimize learning. Dissemination and implementation of these recommendations will set the stage for future studies that aim to develop evidence to inform best practices, and ultimately to establish the standard of care for effective patient/family education in pediatric oncology.

Got (the Right) Milk? How a Blended Quality Improvement Approach Catalyzed Change.

BACKGROUND: The expression, storage, preparation, fortification, and feeding of breast milk are common ongoing activities in many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) today. Errors in breast milk administration are a serious issue that should be prevented to preserve the health and well-being of NICU babies and their families. PURPOSE: This paper describes how a program to improve processes surrounding infant feeding was developed, implemented, and evaluated. METHODS: The project team used a blended quality improvement approach that included the Model for Improvement, Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and principles of High Reliability Organizations to identify and drive short-term, medium-term, and long-term improvement strategies. FINDINGS/RESULTS: Through its blended quality improvement approach, the team strengthened the entire dispensation system for both human milk and formula and outlined a clear vision and plan for further improvements as well. The NICU reduced feeding errors by 83%. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Be systematic in the quality improvement approach, and apply proven methods to improving processes surrounding infant feeding. Involve expert project managers with nonclinical perspective to guide work in a systematic way and provide unbiased feedback. Create multidisciplinary, cross-departmental teams that include a vast array of stakeholders in NICU feeding processes to ensure comprehensive examination of current state, identification of potential risks, and "outside the box" potential solutions. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: As in the realm of pharmacy, the processes involved in preparing feedings for critically ill infants should be carried out via predictable, reliable means including robust automated verification that integrates seamlessly into existing processes. The use of systems employed in pharmacy for medication preparation should be considered in the human milk and formula preparation setting.

The Journey to High Reliability in the NICU.

Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are at high risk for medical errors due to the population, setting, and complexity of care. Furthermore, "near misses" often precede actual errors yet are mostly underreported and unrecognized as safety concerns. There is a growing recognition that a systems approach to quality and safety is foundational to improving care at the bedside and patient outcomes. The High Reliability Organization model is one such approach. It recognizes the challenges of a highly complex system and combines this recognition with a continual emphasis on reducing errors. Although the principles of the High Reliability Organization hold promise in accelerating quality and safety in the NICU, it is imperative that nurses at the bedside as well as nurse leaders actually learn how to operationalize high reliability principles and strategies that lead to better outcomes. This article outlines the necessary principles, culture, strategies, and behaviors that NICU nurses and nurse leaders must adopt to achieve high reliability in their units.