Establishing a Competency Protocol to Improve Pediatric Hospice Care in North Carolina

Abstract

The loss of a child can have overwhelming effects on families and caregivers. End of life care focuses on providing quality health care to both the child and family. Nurses are advocates that provide interventions and comfort to those in need. Nurses’ attitude and knowledge can be contributory in improving patient outcomes. This project aimed to improve the comfort and knowledge of nurses caring for children in pediatric hospice care through the creation and use of an evidence-based competency protocol (also called clinical field guide). Knowledge and attitudes toward caring for pediatric hospice patients was explored among nurses in a focus group manner. A clinical field guide was developed based on evidence, an established adult hospice care guideline, and with input from the nurses in the focus groups. The participants were nurses employed in a home health and hospice agency. Outcomes of the project showed that nurses had an increased level of knowledge and comfort of caring for pediatric hospice patients with use of a clinical field guide. Participants expressed increased comfort knowing resources existed and were available for use.