Date

Summer 2022

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Department

College of Nursing

First Advisor

De Anna Cox

Abstract

Problem Statement: Pediatric patients in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) frequently present to non-pediatric specific care centers initially for medical management where providers may or may not be familiar with standards and treatment guidelines particular to this specialty population. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to establish a pediatric DKA clinical pathway (CPW). Pediatric patients require precise treatments tailored to age and weight specifications. A pediatric DKA CPW identifies treatment order sets, goals, and outcomes customized to the patient’s metabolic demand. Commonalities within a predictable course of treatment for patients with a shared clinical diagnosis result in accelerated care, improved patient outcomes, and healthcare organizational benefits. Methods: A CPW to care for the pediatric patient in DKA is an evidence-based approach to the management of patients with a common diagnosis and predictable clinical course of care. Inclusion Criteria: Pediatric patients less than 19 years of age presenting to the ED of a regional medical center and diagnosed with DKA are included in the study sample.Analysis: Fisher Exact test analysis was used to compare order set usage pre- and post-intervention. Parametric independent t-test and non-parametric Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze Emergency Department LOS, overall total hospital LOS, and compare sample means pre and post CPW implementation. Statistical test selection was based on the ability to compare differences between two variables for the same subject. A p-value > 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Rights

© 2022, Rebecca Russell Vincent

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