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Improve care of kids with pediatric coordinator
Insights
New guidelines recommend pediatric coordinators in emergency departments (EDs) to enhance child care. These roles, not necessarily full-time, involve policy development and chart audits for quality improvement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Current pediatric care in emergency departments (EDs) can be improved.
- Guidelines from major pediatric and emergency physician organizations highlight the need for enhanced care coordination for children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline recommendations for improving pediatric patient care within the emergency department setting.
- To emphasize the establishment of dedicated pediatric coordinator roles.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians.
- Proposal of a collaborative model for physician and nurse pediatric coordinators.
Main Results:
- The establishment of physician and nurse pediatric coordinators is recommended.
- These roles can be integrated into existing structures, not requiring new full-time positions.
- Coordinators should collaborate on policy development and conduct routine chart audits for quality assurance.
Conclusions:
- Implementing pediatric coordinators can significantly improve the quality of emergency care for children.
- A collaborative approach between physician and nurse coordinators is key to successful implementation.
- Continuous quality improvement through chart audits is an essential function of these roles.
Abstract:
New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians recommend having physician and nurse pediatric coordinators to improve the care of children in the ED. The role of pediatric coordinator doesn't need to be a full-time or newly added position. Physician and nurse coordinators should work together to develop policies for improved care. Coordinators should routinely audit patient charts as part of a quality improvement program.