Date of Award

Spring 5-27-2017

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Joseph Burkard, DNSc, CRNA

Abstract

Background: Over 50 years of literature support the nursing “golden rule” that discharge teaching begins upon admission. Parents’ poor understanding of pediatric post-operative instructions following outpatient day surgery can put their child at risk for some preventable complications after arriving home.

Purpose: To improve parents’ understanding of discharge education using earlier initiation of post-operative teaching to best meet the needs of adult learners caring for a child under age 18 after surgery.

Process Used: Parents were educated using four cardinal strategies: early initiation of instructions, reinforcement of key points throughout the length of stay, optimal timing in a distraction-free environment, and the use of 24-hour follow-up phone calls by staff.

Outcomes & Practice Implications: This project demonstrated an improvement in parents’ satisfaction with discharge teaching without increasing the length of stay.

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