Improving Communication Between Health Care Providers, Families, and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Perioperative stress significantly impacts children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.
• Existing care models often lack tailored strategies for pediatric ASD patients undergoing surgery.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for improving patient and family experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement an evidence-based program to reduce perioperative stress for children with ASD and their families.
• To provide practical tools and skills for managing the unique needs of pediatric ASD patients in the perioperative setting.
• To enhance the effectiveness of healthcare staff in addressing the perioperative requirements of this population.

Main Methods:

• An evidence-based practice project guided by a comprehensive literature review.
• Development of a perioperative assessment and management program tailored for pediatric patients with ASD.
• Pilot implementation of the program with 31 pediatric patients diagnosed with ASD.

Main Results:

• The program facilitated a rapid return to baseline behavior for the majority of patients (93.5%) within 120 minutes post-procedure.
• Only a small percentage of patients (6.5%) required more than 24 hours to return to their baseline.
• Family and caregiver feedback indicated high satisfaction with the individualized care provided.

Conclusions:

• The developed "Linked Program" effectively addresses the perioperative needs of families and children with ASD.
• Healthcare staff demonstrated increased efficacy in managing the perioperative care of pediatric ASD patients.
• Family involvement and the sharing of specific patient knowledge were highly valued, improving care delivery.