Mid North Coast - Training, development and networking of staff - Implementation of the Acute Management of Gastroenteritis in Young Children and Infants Clinical Practice Guidelines
This project involved the employment of a Project Nurse to implement the NSW Health "Acute Management of Gastroenteritis in Young Children and Infants" Clinical Practice Guidelines and develop localised clinical pathways and supporting documents to assist with the implementation of the guidelines. These clinical practice guidelines are considered best practice for the management of Gastroenteritis in children to provide the best possible outcome. Localisation of the guidelines and education in implementing best practice for the treatment of Gastroenteritis and rehydration was seen as an area of need due to low compliance with the clinical practice guidelines and understanding of Paediatric rehydration and a lack of localised guidelines.
The project increased the awareness and understanding of the Gastroenteritis Clinical Practice Guidelines. Education was provided for all Nursing and Medical staff on treating Paediatric Patients in fluid management and rehydration. It allowed for networking with all staff involved in the care of Paediatric patients and allowed them the opportunity to be involved in developing and implementing localised guidelines and pathways for the management of Gastroenteritis in children.
Field trips were made by the Project Nurse to all Mid North Coast Area Health Service Hospitals to gather information about their knowledge of Clinical Practice Guidelines and current management practices for Gastroenteritis. Discussions were held with other multidisciplinary team members including Paediatricians and VMOs in regard to localising Clinical Practice Guidelines for Gastroenteritis. The information was then gathered and correlated and local issues were addressed and considered. Draft clinical pathways and supporting documents were developed and education sessions on Paediatric fluid management and the Gastroenteritis Clinical Practice Guidelines were presented to all Mid North Coast Area Health Service Hospitals. Comments and suggestions from local health professionals were considered and the local guidelines were developed and adjusted accordingly. The draft clinical pathways were then commenced as a trial.
An information package with draft documents and copies of the Gastroenteritis Clinical Practice Guidelines were distributed to all Mid North Coast Area Health Service Hospitals, Paediatricians, Directors of Clinical Practice and Training, Area Director of Nursing, Area Medical Directors for both District and Base Hospitals, Emergency Department Directors, relevant visiting General Practitioners, Staff Medical Council, Staff Nursing Council, Nurse Educators.
The success of this project is measured by:
- Increased awareness and compliance with the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Gastroenteritis, through the development of localised guidelines and pathways
- Reduced admission rates and length of stay for children with gastroenteritis
- The consideration of initiating oral and nasogastric rehydration for the mildly dehydrated child before commencing IV therapy
- Staff being educated in the correct fluid management of the dehydrated child due to gastroenteritis.
This project was presented at the inaugural Statewide Paediatric Networking Seminar at NSW Health in March 2004.