The Watcher Program: A Quality Improvement Project to Detect Deterioration Among Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients Pubblico

Abstract

This evidence-based practice quality improvement project investigates implementing and evaluating an early warning program (i.e., the Watcher Program) for pediatric hematology/oncology patients. The project was implemented at a pediatric inpatient hematology/oncology unit over four months. The following outcomes were reviewed: the algorithm appropriately identified a Watcher patient, interventions improved the patient’s outcome, and the patient did not require transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Data showcased deteriorating patients were identified sooner and an increase in communication between care team members has occurred. Patients remained on the unit longer without requiring a rapid response call or a PICU transfer. Thus, the Watcher Program aided in bridging the gap in communication between clinicians and increase the quality of care.

Table of Contents

Contents:

Introduction 3

Background 3

Significance 5

Literature Review 6

Identifying Risk Factors Associated with Adverse Outcomes 7

Implementing the PEWS Tool 10

Improvement in Communication 11

Practice Implications 12

Future Research Suggestions 13

Theoretical Framework 14

Methods 14

Participants and Setting 15

Variables 16

Project Assumptions, Limitations, and Barriers 16

Ethical Considerations 17

Design 17

Intervention 18

Measures and Analysis 19

Results 19

Findings in Comparison 20

Evaluation of Nursing Change 21

Limitations 22

Discussion 23

References 25

Appendix A 29

Appendix B 30

Appendix C 31

Appendix D 32

Appendix E 36

About this Scholarly Project

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Specialty	Pediatric Acute Care Nursing Practice
Degree	D.N.P.
Submission	Scholarly Project
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Oncology Health Sciences, Nursing Health Sciences, General
Parola chiave	Early warning system Situational awareness Pediatric oncology PEWS Pediatric hematology
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Jinbing Bai, Emory University
Committee Members	Margaret Gettis, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

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