Date of Award

Summer 2024

Project Type

Thesis

College or School

CHHS

Department

Nursing

Program or Major

Direct Entry Master's in Nursing (DEMN)

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Pamela Kallmerten

Second Advisor

Elizabeth Evans

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pre-licensure education on child abuse and neglect is crucial for nurses in the healthcare field. It helps to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, report, and intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect. Having this education available and understanding the signs and effects of child abuse and neglect, empowers nurses to take quick and decisive action in early intervention and prevention. Within the microsystem of a local Operating Room (OR), this quality improvement (QI) project will determine the muchneeded addition to the healthcare curriculum.

METHODS: The Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) framework was used to guide the quality improvement process. Pre- and post-surveys of operating room nurses were conducted to establish baseline goals for the intervention, which resulted in identifying any educational gaps. The intervention was devised and an in-service was led by experts in the field.

INTERVENTION: There was a presentation developed by a DCYF Supervisor and the Project Lead, to teach those on the front line, the signs and effects of child abuse and neglect. Posters were placed across the unit to remind staff there would be an in-service, as well as Continued Educational Units (CEU’s) available for their time. There was a post-survey administered immediately after the completion of the training to ensure prompt and accurate feedback being measured.

RESULTS: Out of the 30 copies made of the pre-survey, 28 were completed. With initial results for the Likert Scale style questions being: (Question #2) “…feeling confident in recognizing signs of potential abuse and/or neglect in our child patient population”, results showed 14.29% (disagree), 32.14% (neither), 50% (agree), 3.57% (strongly agree). (Question #3) “…feeling confident in knowing who to talk to, in this department/hospital, if I feel I need to make a report regarding child abuse and/or neglect”, results showed 17.86% (disagree), 32.14% (neither), 25% (agree), 25% (strongly agree). (Question #4) “…feeling confident as an advocate for those who may need additional support and understand I have a personal responsibility of reporting concerns”, results showed 7.14% (disagree), 25% (neither), 42.86% (agree), 25% (strongly agree). Compared to the 13 post-surveys completed (with the same questions), conducted after the intervention: (Question #2) – 38.46% (agree), 61.54% (strongly agree), (Question #3) – 15.38% (agree), 84.62% (strongly agree), (Question #4) – 30.77% (agree), 69.23 (strongly agree). There were no (strongly disagree), (disagree), or (neither) choices recorded.

CONCLUSIONS: Preparing and educating nursing staff prior to entering the healthcare field during their pre-licensure courses could be a proactive and highly sustainable plan in helping to identify and potentially prevent child abuse and neglect.

Keywords: nursing education, hospital, microsystem, operating room, post-anesthesia care unit, intensive-care unit, emergency department, child abuse, child neglect, child maltreatment

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