• Stephanie A Esses, Sara Small, Ashley Rodemann, and Mary E Hartman.
• Stephanie A. Esses is a lead pediatric nurse practitioner in the pediatric intensive care unit, St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, Missouri. Ashley Rodemann is a social worker. Sara Small is a social worker and Mary E. Hart-man is an assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri. sae9412@bjc.org.
• Am. J. Crit. Care. 2019 Jan 1; 28 (1): 19-27.

BackgroundTargeted education to help parents and caregivers recognize the signs and symptoms of post-intensive care syndrome may increase their awareness and willingness to seek support during their child's admission. The optimal strategy for this education has not been established.MethodsA pilot study to test 3 educational strategies for caregivers of pediatric intensive care unit patients. The 3 strategies were compared using the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model framework for effectiveness of the education, the effect of each educational intervention on the intensive care unit nursing environment, and costs. Nursing responses were scored on a 3-point Likert scale.ResultsA total of 62 caregivers randomly received 1 of 3 educational strategies: brochures (n = 22), scripted conversation (n = 20), or a 3-minute video (n = 20). All 3 strategies were associated with a notable improvement in understanding of post-intensive care syndrome, with no single strategy being superior. Nineteen bedside nurses completed a survey on how daily workflow was affected and education was perceived. The survey indicated that all 3 interventions minimally disrupted workflow and all were recognized as useful. Final analysis indicated that brochures have the greatest likelihood of successful and sustainable implementation in the study hospital.ConclusionSimple, low-cost education can improve caregivers' knowledge of post-intensive care syndrome and can be well supported by nursing staff. To ensure sustainable implementation, the characteristics of the unit should be considered when selecting an educational program.©2019 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

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