[Using Therapeutic Play to Increase the Oral Administration Adherence Rate of Preschool Pediatric Inpatients].

Abstract

Background & problems: Oral administration is the most common mode of medical treatment for pediatric patients. Although over 98% of the patients in the targeted pediatric unit require oral medication, the oral administration adherence rate in 2022 was 43.9%. The reasons for this low rate were identified as: (1) no relevant oral administration educational materials, (2) no relevant continued nursing education provided, and (3) lack of assistive tools and feeding aids to help administer oral medication to young children.

Purpose: This project was developed to increase the adherence rate of oral administration of preschool pediatric inpatients in our hospital.

Resolutions: The improvement strategies included the design of patient-centered oral medication care guidance leaflets and QR code (quick response code) video links, the development of therapeutic play aids, adding cartoon characters to medicine feeders, and the creation of a "Rescue the Forest" picture book and video and reward stickers.

Results: The oral medication adherence rate increased from 43.9% pretest to 91.9% posttest.

Conclusions: This project and its positive effect on the rate of oral medication adherence may be referenced by other pediatric units.