Weaning Dexmedetomidine in Non-ICU Areas: An Implementation Effort.

Objectives: To develop and implement clinical practice guidelines for safely weaning dexmedetomidine infusions in non-ICU areas.

Design: Development, implementation, and analysis of effectiveness of clinical practice guidelines.

Setting: Quaternary care academic free-standing pediatric hospital.

Enhanced central venous catheter bundle for pediatric parenteral-dependent intestinal failure.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) cause substantial morbidity and increase antimicrobial use and length of stay among hospitalized children in the United States. CLABSI occurs more frequently among high-risk pediatric patients, such as those with intestinal failure (IF) who are parenteral nutrition (PN) dependent. Following an increase in CLABSI rates, a quality improvement (QI) initiative was implemented.

Developing a unit-specific falls reduction program.

Though an extensive amount of literature addresses the significance of patient falls and mechanisms to identify those at high risk, much less has been written regarding units in which nearly every patient fits the high-risk category. In addition, little information describes specific interventions designed to protect at-risk patients. In response to a record number of falls in the Transitional Care Unit at an acute care facility, an interdisciplinary team was developed to review patient falls, design a unit-specific falls reduction program, and begin its implementation.