The Power of Preparation: A QI Initiative Implementing Structured Pre-meetings in a Pediatric CICU

Family team meetings (FTMs) support communication in pediatric ICUs, yet teams often lack standardized pre-meeting preparation, limiting effectiveness and consistency.

The project team assessed feasibility (proportion of FTMs using a structured tool), clinician perceived knowledge and attitudes, and clinician and caregiver perceptions of FTM quality, communication, and preparedness.

The project team implemented a structured pre-meeting tool with targeted interdisciplinary clinician education in a cardiac ICU.

The project team tracked 11 FTMs over 12 weeks. Structured pre-meeting use increased from 0% to 100% and was sustained across all weeks. Clinician perceived knowledge and attitude scores improved (p<0.01). Most clinicians rated the tool as useful and appropriate. All surveyed caregivers reported that meetings met their needs.

A structured pre-meeting process was feasible, acceptable, and improved clinician preparedness and perceived FTM quality. Standardizing team preparation may support more consistent, high-quality communication with families of critically ill children.