The Arcus Experience: Bridging the Data Science Gap for Nurse Researchers.

BACKGROUND: For years, nurse researchers have been called upon to engage with "big data" in the electronic health record (EHR) by leading studies focusing on nurse-centric patient outcomes and providing clinical analysis of potential outcome indicators. However, the current gap in nurses' data science education and training poses a significant barrier. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the viability of conducting nurse-led, big-data research projects within a custom-designed computational laboratory and examine the support required by a team of researchers with little to no big-data experience. METHODS: Four nurse-led research teams developed a research question reliant on existing EHR data. Each team was given its own virtual computational laboratory populated with raw data. A data science education team provided instruction in coding languages-primarily structured query language and R-and data science techniques to organize and analyze the data. RESULTS: Three research teams have completed studies, resulting in one manuscript currently undergoing peer review and two manuscripts in progress. The final team is performing data analysis. Five barriers and five facilitators to big-data projects were identified. DISCUSSION: As the data science learning curve is steep, organizations need to help bridge the gap between what is currently taught in doctoral nursing programs and what is required of clinical nurse researchers to successfully engage in big-data methods. In addition, clinical nurse researchers require protected research time and a data science infrastructure that supports novice efforts with education, mentorship, and computational laboratory resources.

Pain Assessment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Pain assessment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is largely unexplored. The core deficits of ASD may interfere with this population's ability to effectively use traditional pain assessment tools. Accurate pain assessment is essential to providing quality care. The objective was to illuminate barriers to pain assessment in children with an ASD, describe novel methods to communicate about their pain experience, and identify vocabularies that hold meaning with respect to pain to better understand pain from their context. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive study using semistructured interviews including interactive electronic technology to enhance communication. Subjects included children aged 6 to 17 years with ASD experiencing acute pain after a surgical procedure at a large urban tertiary children's hospital. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of 40 interviews, participants consisted of 34 (85%) male, 29 (72.5%) non-Hispanic white with mean age 11.75 ± 3.36 years (range: 6-17). All subjects were able to describe and locate their pain but required a variety of approaches. Assessment preferences included minimal time spent focusing on pain and simplistic language and actions using terms familiar to each subject. Notably, subjects were able to reliably demonstrate understanding of graded response and seriation. Parent involvement was essential, both in helping interpret the child's needs and providing trusted support. CONCLUSIONS: Some children with ASD require an alternate interactive approach to pain assessment. Individualized consideration and estimation of pain assessment methods for use in this population may provide more meaningful interactions, ultimately guiding better pain management interventions.

Safety of a 1-Day Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Children.

OBJECTIVES: Electrolyte-free polyethylene glycol powder (PEG-3350) has been widely used for colonoscopy preparation (prep); however, limited safety data on electrolyte changes exists with 1-day prep regimens. The primary aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with significant serum chemistry abnormalities before and at the time of colonoscopy. Secondary aims included evaluation of prep tolerance and bowel cleansing efficacy. METHODS: We performed a prospective descriptive observational study of pediatric patients scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy who received our standard 1-day, weight-based 4 g/kg PEG-3350 prep with a single stimulant laxative dose and had serum chemistry testing within 60 days before and at the time of colonoscopy. A standardized bowel cleanliness tool (Aronchick scale) was completed by the endoscopist. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five patients had serum electrolytes data pre- and postprep. Comparison of each patient's chemistries demonstrated statistical equivalence with the 1 exception of blood urea nitrogen levels (P = 0.56). Hypokalemia was detected postprep in 37 subjects (24%), but none had a serum level <3.3 mmol/L, which was deemed to be of no clinical significance. Five patients were hypoglycemic post prep; 3 were 7 years or younger (P = 0.02). The colon cleanliness rating was excellent or good in 77% and suboptimal in 23% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-day, weight-based PEG-3350 bowel prep in children appears safe. Changes in electrolyte levels and renal function were not clinically significant. Children of 7 years or younger seem to be at a higher risk of hypoglycemia compared with older children.