Interprofessional Telerounds in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project

Abstract

Background Family-centered rounds are standard practice in pediatrics. However, some parents of children in the pediatric intensive care unit cannot attend rounds. Local Problem A 36-bed academic, tertiary care pediatric hospital implemented telerounds during the COVID-19 pandemic. After visiting restrictions were lifted, nurses were interested in continuing telerounds for families who could not attend daily rounds. The aim of this evidence-based quality improvement project was to develop a standardized, family-centered telerounding process that satisfied parents, nurses, and physicians. Methods Nurses offered telerounds to pediatric intensive care unit family members who could not attend rounds. Families received a unique link to telerounds using a secure connection. Nurses completed electronic satisfaction surveys after each session; physicians completed surveys at the end of their weeklong pediatric intensive care unit rotation; families received surveys at the end of the pediatric intensive care unit stay. Results Twenty families qualified for telerounds; 16 families completed sessions. Enrolled patients and families participated in 93 telerounding events. Nine family members (56%) returned satisfaction surveys revealing an overall satisfaction level of 9.9 out of 10. Thirty nurses reported an overall satisfaction level of 8.8 out of 10. Eleven physicians reported a mean satisfaction level of 8.8 out of 10. Conclusions This project demonstrated that a standardized process of secure telerounding was feasible in a pediatric intensive care unit. Families, nurses, and physicians reported satisfaction with the process. Telerounds can be implemented without considerable inconvenience to staff and enable continuation of family-centered care when parents are absent from the hospital.