Effect of Multi-Component Program on Promoting Safety of Hospitalized Children

The role of family caregivers in the promotion of safety for hospitalized children is an important issue in the area of safety improvement. However, there are limited studies related to innovative programs.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a multi-component program on family caregiver’s knowledge and engagement in promoting safety.

A quasi-experimental study was performed on 160 female family caregivers in two pediatric wards of two public hospitals in Thailand, in 2019. Participants were assigned into two groups of intervention (n=80) and control (n=80) through consecutive sampling. The program was developed based on the standardized guidelines of child patient safety. Participants were educated and trained. The participants’ knowledge and engagement were measured using validated questionnaires. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for some possible confounders, was performed to examine the effect of intervention.

Family caregivers gained more knowledge after the implementation of the Multi-Component Program. They noticed if something was wrong and checked the administration of medication by nurses after the intervention. Engagement in promoting safety was enhanced in each domain. Mean±SD scores of three dimensions of Multi-Component Program including advocate to ask, report and response, and dimension monitoring were obtained at 4.61±0.26, 4.48±0.19, and 4.76±0.25, respectively. Moreover, the groups’ post-test scores of knowledge and engagement were significantly different (P<0.001) after adjusting the length of stay.

Implications for Practice: 

The Leaflet, Poster, Talking, Video, and SMS program can enhance a family caregiver’s ability to take responsibility for children. The findings indicated the possible range of safety behaviors that family caregivers can perform during the childcare process. Healthcare providers should adopt this program as a part of child safety promotion in hospital settings.