Standardized Discharge Education and Psychological Risk Assessment in PICU BACKGROUND This project aims to implement standardized nursing-led discharge education and a psychological risk assessment protocol in the PICU to address gaps in early intervention for at-risk patients and promote consistent, evidence-based discharge teaching. ● Research suggests that children admitted to PICUs had lower IQ scores at 5 years, developed more total emotional and behavioral problems, and had worse memory.1 ● There is a gap in standardized assessment at time of discharge for PICU patients.2 ● Nurses are uniquely positioned to assess family readiness for discharge and identify early signs of psychological distress due to their constant presence at the bedside.3 Emma Johnson, RN, MSN Student Trish Gibbs DNP, RN, CNE Alexis Williams MSN, RN INTERVENTIONS ● Months 1–2: Preparation Phase ○ Finalize deliverables, distribute staff surveys, coordinate with stakeholders ● Month 3: Staff Education and Training ○ Education sessions for staff, introduce protocol and screening tool, clarify expectations ● Months 4–5: Protocol Implementation ○ Use tool with eligible patients, provide ongoing coaching, address barriers ● Month 6: Evaluation and Follow-Up ○ Post-survey, analyze data, prepare the results for presentation IMPACTS ● Increased nurse self-reported confidence and improved consistency in METHODS The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model was used as the framework for this project. Deliverables: ● Pre- and post-simulation surveys were created to evaluate nurses’ confidence in administering the standardized discharge teaching and assessment ● A caregiver brochure was created to provide written education ● A powerpoint was created to educate nursing staff on how and when to use the protocol and assessment tool ● Integrates a revised version of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) tool discharge education post intervention. ● Early identification of psychological risks can lead to earlier treatment ● Potential reduction in long term psychological complications due to early interventions3 ● Nurse-implemented interventions in the PICU have resulted in greater consistency and effectiveness in improving family outcomes4 CONCLUSIONS Evidence supports implementing standardized, nurse-led REFERENCES discharge education5 and a psychological risk assessment protocol in the PICU. This approach improves early 1 Ko, M. S., Poh, P.-F., Heng, K. Y., Sultana, R., Murphy, B., Ng, R. W., & Lee, J. H. (2022). Assessment of long-term psychological outcomes after pediatric intensive care unit admission. JAMA Pediatrics, 176(3). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.5767 2Tang, M., Chui, P. L., Chong, M. C., & Liu, X. (2025). Post-traumatic stress disorder in children after discharge from the pediatric intensive care unit: A scoping review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 34(2), 483–496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-024-02505-8 3Scott, G., Dunn, L. M., Dow, B., Kenardy, J., De Young, A. C., & Long, D. A. (2025). Interventions to support psychological health outcomes for children and families experiencing paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission: A scoping review. Nursing in Critical Care, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.70057 4Yu, L., Mo, L., Liu, Y., & Huang, X. (2023). Screening for early warning of psychological crisis and intervention in children aged 8–18 years with cancer: A historical controlled trial. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1156185 5Abdelmageed, R. I., Youssef, A. M., Magdy, S. M., Nasr, A. N., & Abdelaziz, A. W. (2025). Psychosocial and adaptive behavior functioning in children following pediatric intensive care unit hospitalization: Prospective cohort study. BMC Pediatrics, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-06156-9 identification of at-risk children, enhances family preparedness for post-discharge needs, promotes consistent discharge teaching, and may increase nurses’ confidence while advancing more comprehensive, equitable care.