Nursing Bundle to Improve Infant Safe Sleep in the Pediatric Emergency Department
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Nieman, Blair
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Abstract
Problem: In a large urban pediatric emergency department (PED), visual inspections of rooms revealed that only 27% of patients younger than 1 year adhered to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep recommendations. These guidelines outline safe sleep practices for infants to prevent sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), a leading cause of infant mortality in the U.S. Infants in unsafe sleep environments face an increased risk of injury and SUID during their hospitalization and after discharge, highlighting the necessity for healthcare staff to model safe sleep practices. Purpose: The aim of this DNP project was to implement an evidence-based nursing bundle in the PED to improve infant safe sleep practices. Methods: The implementation period lasted for 15 weeks, from September to December 2024. The bundle included nursing education, visual cues and reminders, promotion of sleep sacks, and standardization of nursing documentation. Education was shared with the PED nursing staff through email and in-services. Chart audits were conducted for all infants in the PED to monitor the documentation of sleep practices and education. Visual room audits were regularly performed for infants in the PED to evaluate sleep practices using a sleep score. Results: Visual audits revealed an average sleep score of 2.11 out of 4, with inconsistent scores throughout implementation, ultimately showing declines toward the project's end. Most patients were found in a supine position with the head of the bed flat; however, only 32.3% of infants were placed in a crib or bassinet despite availability, and just 41.9% of infants were left alone, with blankets being the most frequently found additional item. Documentation rates averaged 22%, with 74.5% of all infants eligible for inclusion. Sixty-one percent of the staff received in- person education. Conclusions: The bundle demonstrated partial success in achieving the desired outcomes. Sleep scores were variable, decreasing toward the end of the project, likely due in part to increased unit acuity and volume, but peaked following enhanced staff education. Documentation rates remained stable and largely unchanged throughout the project. The results indicate a need for ongoing re-education, increased visual audits and crib cards, optimized workflows, and the acquisition of additional sleep sacks.