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Promoting sleep and rest in hospitalized children: a best practice implementation project
Carolina Lechosa-Muñiz1,2,3, Laura Ruiz-Azcona2,4,5, Elena Pérez Belmonte1,6
1Pediatrics Section, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Cantabria, Spain.
Insights
Implementing evidence-based strategies significantly improved pediatric sleep quality in hospitalized children. Staff training and multi-faceted approaches enhanced sleep promotion practices, leading to better patient rest.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Sleep Science
- Evidence-Based Practice Implementation
Background:
- Hospital environments disrupt children's sleep, with 20-30% experiencing sleep problems.
- Hospitalization negatively impacts sleep duration and quality in pediatric patients.
- External factors like noise, light, and staff interruptions contribute to poor sleep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement evidence-based strategies for promoting sleep and rest in hospitalized children.
- To improve the sleep quality of pediatric patients during their hospital stay.
- To address the challenges of sleep disruption in a hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework with audit, feedback, and re-audit.
- Intervention involved 100 children (2-16 years) and 27 healthcare staff at a Spanish university hospital.
- Focused on identifying and managing barriers to implementing sleep promotion strategies.
Main Results:
- Healthcare staff training on pediatric sleep increased from 4% to 80%.
- Multi-faceted sleep promotion approaches rose from 21% to 87% implementation.
- Promotion of relaxation techniques for sleep increased from 0% to 80%.
Conclusions:
- The project successfully met its objectives for improving pediatric sleep during hospitalization.
- Involving the entire healthcare team and continuous training were crucial for overcoming resistance to change.
- Annual follow-up audits are recommended to ensure the sustainability of improved sleep practices.
Objective:
The objective of this project was to implement scientific evidence to promote sleep and rest in pediatric patients during hospitalization.
Introduction:
Hospitals are not conducive to quality sleep, as external factors such as light, noise, and interruptions from health care staff can disturb patients. Being hospitalized has a detrimental impact on children's sleep because it reduces how much sleep they get and the quality of that sleep. It has been reported that up to 20% to 30% of hospitalized children experience sleep problems.
Methods:
This project was conducted at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital in Cantabria, northern Spain. The project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is grounded in an audit, feedback, and re-audit process, together with a structured approach to identifying and managing barriers to change. The study subjects were 100 children aged 2 to 16 years, who were admitted to the hospital's pediatric unit from November to December 2021, and 27 multi-disciplinary health care staff.
Results:
Implementing the evidence-based strategies improved our care practices, with the follow-up audit results showing a marked improvement in compliance. Thus, training health care staff on pediatric sleep increased from 4% to 80%; using a multi-faceted approach to sleep promotion increased from 21% to 87%; and promoting relaxation techniques to promote sleep increased from 0% to 80%.
Conclusions:
The project met its objectives. Areas for improving children's sleep and rest during hospitalization were identified. To avoid resistance to change, it was necessary to involve the entire team and maintain training. We recommend follow-up audits once a year, to ensure the sustainability of the project.
Spanish Abstract:
http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A252.
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