| Description |
Background: Pediatric patients present unique clinical challenges that require specific resources and protocols. Many adult Level I trauma centers lack ample pediatric-specific policies and training to treat the traumatically injured child. Implementing strategies to strengthen the adult trauma center promotes pediatric readiness. This Doctor of Nursing scholarly project aimed to conduct a needs assessment to identify barriers and best practices for achieving pediatric readiness in an American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified adult Level I trauma center without pediatric verification. Local Problem: Key issues include the lack of a Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC), gaps in pediatric-specific policies, limited staff training and education, inadequate pediatric equipment and supply management, institutional reluctance and potential financial constraints, underutilization of organizational resources, and staff fear of litigation. Addressing these issues is essential for the trauma center to meet the ACS Committee on Trauma's pediatric readiness standard and provide high-quality pediatric trauma care. Methods: The project was guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model, collecting data through a review of existing pediatric standards, staff training programs, cause and effect analysis, and a benchmark survey of sixteen adult Level I trauma centers. Interventions: Interventions included a literature review identifying best practices. Key stakeholders were engaged in planning and designing a benchmark survey to adult Level I trauma centers without pediatric verification. Organizational clinical practice and policy were reviewed. Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analyses were conducted examining a pediatric case review, staff dialogs, and stakeholder discussions. Results: Significant gaps were found in pediatric-specific policies, particularly in patient transport. The absence of a PECC was a critical weakness. Staff reported discomfort with pediatric cases due to low exposure and limited training. Organizational resources were unknown or underutilized. Benchmark survey insights highlighted the importance of collaboration with pediatric trauma centers and the need for regular training and simulation scenarios. The pediatric case review emphasized the need for improved pediatric supply and equipment management. Conclusion: This needs assessment identified critical areas for improvement in pediatric readiness at an adult Level I trauma center without pediatric verification. Implementing the recommended strategies will enhance the trauma center's ability to provide high-quality care to traumatically injured pediatric patients, aligning with ACS standards to improve patient outcomes. |
