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The Distraction in Action Tool©: Feasibility and Usability in Clinical Settings
Kirsten Hanrahan1, Charmaine Kleiber2, Ben J Miller3
1Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, United States.
Journal of Pediatric Nursing
|November 15, 2017
Summary
The Distraction in Action Tool (DAT) is a feasible and usable resource for parents and clinicians to reduce child distress during needle procedures. It helps assess risk and provides coaching instructions for effective distraction techniques.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric healthcare
- Child psychology
- Medical procedure interventions
Background:
- Distraction is an evidence-based method to reduce pediatric procedural distress.
- There is a need for accessible tools to guide parents in distraction coaching during medical procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and usability of the Distraction in Action Tool (DAT©).
- DAT© aims to predict distress risk and provide parents with individualized distraction coaching instructions for needle procedures.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods descriptive study was conducted in an Emergency Department and Phlebotomy Lab.
- Twenty parents of children (ages 4-10) and clinicians involved in venipuncture procedures participated.
- Feasibility and usability were assessed through evaluations and interviews.
Main Results:
- Most parents found DAT easy to use (84.2%), understandable (100%), and reported a positive experience (89.5%).
- Clinicians deemed DAT helpful (100%) and noted it did not significantly disrupt workflow (92%).
Conclusions:
- The DAT© is a viable tool for parents and clinicians to manage procedural distress in children.
- It aids in assessing distress risk and implementing distraction techniques during needle procedures.
