PiccPed® App: A Breakthrough in Preventing PICC-Associated Adverse Events in Pediatric and Neonatal Care

Introduction:
The PiccPed® app is a health application designed to support clinical decision-making in managing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in pediatric and neonatal healthcare settings.

Background:
PICCs are commonly used in pediatric and neonatal care for long-term intravenous therapy. However, improper management of PICCs can lead to adverse events such as infections, thrombosis, and catheter dislodgement. The PiccPed® app aims to enhance nurses' knowledge and skills in preventing these adverse events through evidence-based practices.

Study Overview:
A quasi-experimental, pre-post intervention study was conducted with pediatric and neonatal nurses from two tertiary hospitals in South Brazil. The study assessed the impact of the PiccPed® app on nurses' knowledge regarding PICC maintenance.

Key Findings:

- A total of 56 nurses participated in the study, completing pre- and post-test surveys.
- The mean post-test score significantly improved from 9/15 (SD 2.2) to 12/15 (SD 1.9).
- Nurses without postgraduate qualifications showed a greater improvement in scores compared to those with advanced degrees.
- Each minute spent using the app resulted in a significant increase of 0.04 points in the post-test score.
- The app was effective across various training levels and professional backgrounds.

Conclusion:
The PiccPed® app significantly enhances nurses' knowledge in preventing PICC-associated adverse events. It is a valuable tool for training and continuing education, promoting patient safety and quality care in pediatric and neonatal settings.

Authors: Sabrina de Souza, Mari Takashima, Deanne August, Camila Biazus-Dalcin, Thiago Lopes Silva, Aline de Souza Bitencourt, Amanda Ullman, Patricia Kuerten Rocha

Read More: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0882596324002458?via%3Dihub