Dissertation
Process Improvement for Pediatric Mental Health Patients in the ED
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Background: There is a barrier to receiving quality pediatric mental health treatment due to shortages in providers, treatment facilities and staff. The lack of access to care is leading to increased emergency department (ED) referrals for crisis stabilization. EDs frequently lack the necessary mental health resources, causing patients to wait for extended periods of time before receiving proper evaluation.Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to improve the process of care for patients being treated with mental health conditions in the ED. Methods: This project created an evidence-based standardized process of care for mental health patients the ED. The algorithm included the implementation of the HEADS-ED screening for all mental health patients and a 24-hour care conference for boarded patients in the ED. Included patients were between 12-18 years old and presented to the ED with a mental health concern. Epic chart reviews were conducted to monitor average length of ED stay, nursing documentation of the HEADS-ED screening and completion of 24-hour care conferences. Findings: Over a five-month implementation period, 53 patients (n=53) met inclusion criteria to utilize the Mental Health Algorithm of Care. Of the 53 included patients, 18 (34%) were administered the HEADS-ED Screening. 16 patients met criteria for a daily care conference and 14 of those 16 patients (87.5%) had increased documented provider, social worker and nursing communication. The average length of ED stay decreased from an average of 13.617 to 12.102 hours (11% decrease) after project implementation.Discussion: A decrease in average length of stay demonstrates positive clinical significance. These results show that the implementation of a standardized algorithm of care, that includes screenings and special attention to boarded patients, has the potential to decrease the overall length of ED visit.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Process Improvement for Pediatric Mental Health Patients in the ED
- Creators
- Madison Loftsgard - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Daniel Crawford (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Madison Loftsgard
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841526502771
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