Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
Spring 2025
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Rashmi Momin
Abstract
PURPOSE
This project aims to improve written discharge education, medication adherence for pediatric patients, and medication education retention for Spanish-speaking caregivers.
BACKGROUND
The project was implemented in a children’s hospital in the Pediatric Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. The discharge process for post-operative pediatric patients lacked appropriate written medication education for Spanish-speaking families, placing patients at an increased risk for improper medication use.
METHODOLOGY
A quality improvement method utilizing Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles was used for implementation, with three cycles completed. A written Spanish-translation medication action plan (MAP) was implemented during discharge for Spanish-speaking caregivers, including adaptions to an electronic health record version and visual aid reminders for nurses. Phone surveys with caregivers were used to measure medication compliance and knowledge of discharge instructions. Limitations included a low patient census of elective procedures.
RESULTS
Twenty-five patients received the MAP at discharge, and fifteen caregivers completed the post-discharge phone survey. Knowledge of medication side effects improved by 14%. There was a 25% decrease in post-discharge phone calls made by caregivers to clarify discharge education. Medication adherence improved by 87% for correct dosing, 25% for correct duration, and 12% for correct stop date. Discharge compliance, including the MAP for Spanish-speaking caregivers, was 78%, with the final three weeks showing an improvement to 100%.
IMPLICATIONS
This project highlights the importance of written education in a caregiver’s preferred language to ensure patient safety, medication adherence, and improved pain management. The project should be expanded to include more languages and disseminated throughout the organization as a standardized component to discharge.
Keywords
discharge education, Spanish-speaking, pediatric, medication adherence
Recommended Citation
Vicente, Carissa, "Improving Medication Adherence for Post-Operative Pediatric Patients with Spanish-Speaking Caregivers Using a Written Medication Action Plan" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 36.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/36
