928 An exploration of health professionals' experiences and perceptions of the clinical utility and acceptability of an electronic paediatric early warning system (the DETECT study). (17th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saron, Holly; Carter, Bernie; Carrol, Enitan; Sefton, Gerri
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 107(2022)Supplement 2
• Page Start: A461
• Page End: A461
• Publication Date: 2022-08-17
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-rcpch.747
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: The Dynamic Electronic Tracking and Escalation to reduce critical care transfers (DETECT) study implemented a proactive end-to-end deterioration solution (the DETECT surveillance system) across a tertiary children's hospital. The DETECT surveillance system, included an electronic paediatric early warning system (DETECT e-PEWS), aimed to reduce complications and emergency transfers to critical care following deterioration in hospital by screening children for early signs of serious deterioration or sepsis. This presentation focuses on the findings from a sub-study which explored health professionals' experiences and perceptions using the DETECT e-PEWS across a tertiary children's hospital. Methods: Health professionals participated in single, semi-structured qualitative interviews comprised of 15 questions about their professional role and background, their experience with key aspects of serious deterioration (vital signs, raising a concern and/or responding to a child's potential or actual deterioration) and questions about the clinical utility and acceptability of DETECT e-PEWS. Results: Fourteen HPs participated in the interviews. HPs were broadly categorised into two groups according to their use of DETECT e-PEWS. The first group use the e-PEWS to assess and document children's vital signs: the Documenting Vital Signs (D-VS) group. The second group use the e-PEWS to review children and respond to tasks and alerts: the Responding to Vital Signs (R-VS) group. Three main themes were identified ( figure 1 ): 'complying with DETECT e-PEWS'; 'circumventing DETECT e-PEWS'; and 'disregarding DETECT e-PEWS'. These themes relate to the clinical utility and acceptability of DETECT e-PEWS and reflect how health professionals responded to and engaged with the technology. Conclusion: Speed and accuracy of real-time data, automation of triggering alerts and improved situational awareness were key factors that contributed to the acceptability of DETECT e-PEWS. Mandating use of both recording and responding aspects of DETECT e-PEWS is needed to ensure full implementation.