Organizational Planner for Families of High Risk Infants

Background: Within the premature infant population there is the consistent need for medical and specialist intervention in order to aid in the promotion of adequate growth and development. Much responsibility lies upon the parents and guardians of these infants in regards to the management and organization of medical and immunization schedules. If the parents/guardians are inappropriately organized with these specific plans for follow- up care, it can be detrimental to the health and development of the infant and even lead to life long consequences. Description: A patient-specific calendar and immunization schedule were designed by community nurses in order to promote the most consistent organization of medical appointments and to allow for the parents/guardians to have a documented record of recent medical visits. The program in which the study and interventions will be implemented is one that specializes in the follow up care of premature infants in the eastern Los Angeles County area. The evaluation of a patient-specific calendar and immunization schedule will be measured by a verbal report as well as a Likert format survey provided for each infant's parent/guardian(s). This survey will be provided prior to and following the implementation of interventions. The goal is to evaluate whether or not the intervention allowed for more consistent methods of organization and more effective management of various medical appointments for their premature infants. Lessons Learned: The implementation and analysis of the intervention is currently under way. The expected outcome is that the parent/guardian(s) report that the patient-specific calendar and immunization schedule provides a consistent and beneficial method of organization. It is also expected that the calendar and schedule will enhance effective management with regards to the premature infant's medical needs. This intervention and its evaluation will be completed by May 1, 2010 and will be ready for report Recommendations: Although the study has yet to be completed, the Likert survey that will be provided for the guardian(s) will also include an open-ended question that will allow a personal reflection and criticism of the interventions. This subjective data will allow for further refinement of the study and possibly other useful interventions.