Increasing parental participation during rounds in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit

Background Inviting parents of sick children to participate during the rounding process may reduce parents' anxiety and improve communication between the parents and the health care team. Objectives To increase the percentage of available parents invited to participate in morning rounds in a pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU). Methods Invitations to parents to participate in morning CTICU rounds were randomly audited from June 2012 to April 2014 (mean, 15 audits per month). From June 2012 to February 2013 (before intervention), 73% of parents available during morning rounds received an invitation to participate. From April 2013 to May 2013, the following interventions (family participation bundle) were implemented: (1) staff education, (2)"Invitation to Rounds" handout added to the parent welcome packet with verbal explanation, (3) bedside tool provided for parents to communicate desire to participate in rounds with the team, (4) reminder to invite parents added to nursing rounding sheet. Following interventions, family feedback was obtained by 1-on-1 (physician-parent) open-ended conversation. Results From April 2013 to April 2014, 94% of parents available during morning rounds received an invitation to participate. Reasons for not participating: chose not to participate (63%), sleeping-staff reluctant to wake (25%), not English speaking (7%), breastfeeding (5%). Conclusion Implementation of a family participation bundle was successful in increasing invitations to parents to participate during morning rounds in the CTICU. Engagement of staff and addressing specific staff concerns was instrumental in the project's success.