Streamlined Paediatric Cannulation in Emergency (SPaCE)

Overview

Initiative type

Service Improvement

Status

Deliver

Published

10 March 2022

Topic

Emergency

Summary

Streamlined Paediatric Cannulation in Emergency (SPaCE) is a resource pack to help standardise and streamline paediatric cannulation processes, particularly in mixed emergency departments (EDs) with varying levels of staff experience.

Key dates

Jul 2021

Implementation sites

SPaCE is being offered to all Queensland Health Emergency Departments.

Partnerships

Queensland Emergency Department Strategic Advisory Panel (QEDSAP), Queensland Paediatric Emergency Care (QPEC), Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service; Vascular Access and Management Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital

Aim

To improve the care provided to paediatric patients requiring a cannula, by providing resources to staff who have either limited experience or infrequent need to cannulate paediatric patients.

Outcomes

  • improved staff confidence and competency in cannulating paediatric patients
  • enabling improved patient safety, and improving experience of patients and carers through
  • maximising first insertion success
  • maximising cannula longevity
  • minimising complications.

Background

SPaCE was developed at Redcliffe Hospital ED, in response to high staff turnover and varied experience in paediatric care. The initiative and its associated resources were developed in consultation with Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) stakeholders. It was introduced to PROV-ED by ED Staff Specialist Dr Michelle Dodds and CN Clinical Network Facilitator Natasha Edwards.

The SPaCE initiative and its associated resources have been further developed in consultation with Children’s Health Queensland stakeholders.

Methods

EDs introducing SPaCE will require engagement with the PROV-ED Project team. A toolkit of resources will be provided including:

  • cannulation equipment Preparation Board – printed on a cleanable, reusable plastic mat
  • factsheets: Paediatric Cannula Tape, Securing a Paediatric Cannula, Positioning for Comfort and Distraction
  • implementation guide.

Discussion

Focus group interviews with key senior clinical staff will be used to determine the impact of SPaCE on staff competence and paediatric cannulation practices.

Patient outcomes will be measured by research data collected at the pilot site.

Key contact

PROV-ED Project

Manager. PROV-ED

Healthcare Improvement Unit

Email:  Proved.Project@health.qld.gov.au

Last updated: March 2022

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