Simulation Training to Increase Holding of Fragile Infants in Cardiac Intensive Care Units

Author(s): Christine Rachwal, MSN, RN, CCRN, CWOCN, Melissa Smith-Parrish, MD, Valerie Rofeberg, MS, Kelsey Graber, PhD, Duncan Smith-Freedman, BS, Marlena Smith Millman, MPH, Meagan Garafalo, MS, Sonia Almeida-Santos, BSN, RN, CCRN, Michelle Panaccione, BSN, RN, CCRN, Angela Sorensen, BSN, RN, CCRN, Suzanne Stuzynski, MSN, RN, CCRN, Karen Horn, BSN, RN, CCRN, Gina Ubertini, BSN, RN, CCRN, Shana Peruti, BSN, RN, CCRN, and Samantha C. Butler, PhD

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Children born with congenital heart defects are at high risk for neurodevelopmental complications. An American Heart Association position statement describes the vulnerability of these children and highlights the importance of neurodevelopmental surveillance, screening, evaluation, and reevaluation as part of a comprehensive care program. Integrating family-centered, individualized developmental care supports the well-being of the child and family as a whole. This quality improvement study aimed to safely increase the holding of medically complex infants in the CICU by developing a holding guideline and offering simulation-based staff education. Expert group consensus with high-fidelity simulation training is a feasible, safe, and reliable method for teaching higher risk skills and guiding protocol development.

Objectives

Describe the neurodevelopmental benefits of infant holding and the challenges to supporting this practice in the intensive care setting.
Discuss the key aspects of the infant holding guideline that will help inform practice for the bedside nurse.
Identify the benefits of using medical simulation to implement a new infant holding protocol into practice

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.