Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Major

Nursing

Date of Defense

7-15-2025

Graduate Advisor

Sarah Burnett, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC

Committee

Jinnie Tkach, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC

Melissa Oexeman, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC

Abstract

No central documentation of care plans exists for children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) in the electronic health record (EHR). Providers of a large pediatric primary care office in St. Louis Missouri were asked to identify CSHCN in the practice. Clinic nurses completed a comprehensive chart review of the patients identified and constructed care coordination documents using a pre-established smart-text phrase. Subsequently, these were documented centrally in the EHR under the Problem List.

Likert score data was obtained from providers on the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention through the verified tools: Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM).

A sample size of seven providers (n = 7) was analyzed. The most frequently observed gender was female (n = 4, 57.14%). The most frequently observed credential was physician (n = 5, 71.43%). The observations for the AIM had an average of 4.96 (SD = 0.19, SEM = 0.04, Min = 4, Max = 5). The observations for the IAM had an average of 4.86 (SD = 0.36, SEM = 0.07, Min = 4, Max = 5). The observations for the FIM had an average of 4.86 (SD = 0.36, SEM = 0.07, Min = 4, Max = 5).

The implementation of a centralized care plan documentation in the EHR for CSHCN is an acceptable, appropriate, and feasible intervention to enhance communication of complex healthcare needs. Further research is recommended with a larger sample size and eventually to assess whether the current intervention is sufficient and beneficial to CSHCN and their families.

Download

Additional Files

CSP Poster 6.29.2025.pptx (689 kB)
Care Coordination in Pediatric Primary Care A.Durzo Poster

Share

COinS