SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Reducing Rates of Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: A Hospital-Wide Quality Improvement Study

Pdf Summary

This quality improvement study at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children evaluated whether National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) “Period of Purple Crying” training improved nurses’ knowledge of shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT). The issue is serious: SBS/AHT causes severe brain injury in thousands of infants each year, is often missed in medical settings, and can lead to death or lifelong neurologic disability. The hospital, located in a high-risk, low-income area, had seen a rise in SBS/AHT cases, prompting the project.<br /><br />A total of 156 nurses from six departments completed a 10-question pre-test. They then received a three-part intervention: online NCSBS training modules, review of educational materials given to families, and training videos. Afterward, nurses completed the same style of post-test and took part in hands-on teach-back practice to strengthen caregiver education skills.<br /><br />Results showed a statistically significant improvement in knowledge after training. Average scores increased from 8.31/10 before training to 9.12/10 after training. Nurses who had previously received SBS/AHT education also scored significantly higher on the pre-test than those with no prior training, suggesting long-term retention of knowledge.<br /><br />Overall, the study found that NCSBS training effectively improved nurses’ understanding of SBS/AHT both immediately and over time. It also increased nurses’ confidence in educating caregivers about the risks and prevention of abusive head trauma. The authors recommend future work to determine whether better nurse education leads to improved caregiver understanding and lower SBS/AHT rates at the hospital.

Asset Subtitle

Annie Glenney

Meta Tag

Author List Annie Glenney, Frances Nelson, Heather Lavella, Susan McInerny

Category Research

Concept Shaken Baby Syndrome

Concept Subdural Hematoma

Concept Neurologic Disability

Concept Mortality

Concept Nursing Education

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Drexel University College of Medicine

Presenting Author Annie Glenney

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

shaken baby syndrome

abusive head trauma

nurse education

quality improvement

Period of Purple Crying

NCSBS training

infant brain injury

caregiver education

knowledge improvement

hospital intervention

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Subdural Hematoma

Neurologic Disability

Mortality

Nursing Education