Related Experiment Videos

Effect of an evidence-based education programme on ED discharge advice for febrile children

Julie Considine1, Denise Brennan

  • 1Emergency Department, The Northern Hospital, Epping, Victoria, Australia. Julie.Considine@nh.org.au

Journal of Clinical Nursing
|August 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

An educational intervention significantly improved discharge advice for parents of febrile children. Emergency nurses received training, leading to better quality and quantity of information provided to families.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Nursing Education
  • Patient Education

Background:

  • Childhood fever is a frequent reason for emergency department (ED) visits.
  • Accurate fever management advice is crucial for parents of febrile children discharged from the ED.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the discharge advice given to parents of febrile children.
  • To enhance the quality and quantity of fever management information provided by ED nursing staff.

Main Methods:

  • A pre/post-test design was employed to assess the intervention's effectiveness.
  • The intervention involved two educational tutorials for emergency department nursing staff.
  • Data on parental advice were collected via structured telephone interviews.

Main Results:

  • The number of parents receiving no advice decreased by 48% (p = 0.002).
  • Reports of written and verbal discharge advice increased significantly (69.7% and 38.4%, respectively).
  • Specific advice on oral fluids and antipyretics saw substantial improvements (77.8% for both).

Conclusions:

  • Evidence-based education for emergency nurses demonstrably improved discharge advice for febrile children's parents.
  • Enhanced communication regarding fever management is vital for both parents and healthcare professionals.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Discharge Summary Forms01:31

Discharge Summary Forms

The discharge summary is crucial as it enables a smooth transition from a healthcare facility to a patient's home or another care setting. This critical document facilitates seamless continuity of care, ensuring patients receive the necessary support and attention.
Here's a detailed look at the key components and guidelines for preparing a discharge summary:
Decreased Body Temperature01:29

Decreased Body Temperature

A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Methods of Documentation V: CBE01:23

Methods of Documentation V: CBE

Charting by Exception, or CBE, is a method of documentation used in healthcare, particularly in nursing, that focuses on documenting only significant or abnormal findings rather than recording every detail. This approach aims to streamline the documentation process, improve efficiency, and ensure that healthcare providers can quickly identify deviations from normalcy in patient assessments.
In CBE, healthcare professionals establish predefined standards of practice that define what constitutes...