Project Description
The world of health care is rapidly evolving as we learn more about more effective treatment and organizational management strategies. The purpose of this project was to enact change in an existing policy for assessing risk in pediatric patients with a serious mental illness at a community mental health center. Prior to this proposal, mortality risk was assessed using the same criteria in both children and adults at the facility.
Project Strategies
I wanted to present the information in a concise format that the reader could easily scan in order to find the most pertinent information quickly. I performed a literature review on risk of mortality and morbidity in children that was quite extensive and was tasked to present that information in a condensed format to convince the reader that the risk factors presented were relevant to the population served. I also wanted to convince the reader that this issue was essential to our population’s health and warranted actual change. To get buy-in from the nurses who perform the assessments, I also conducted a survey prior to authoring the proposal and presenting the revised risk assessment tool and took their suggestions into consideration when designing the document.
Project Outcomes
The policy change was accepted, and I designed a new risk assessment tool based on the research presented in the proposal. This tool continues to be in use and has changed the way pediatric patients are assessed and treated at this facility. Children who are at a higher risk are provided with more services aimed at reducing this risk. This allows the facility to take a proactive approach to improve children’s health.
Project Access
The policy change proposal is a word document file and can be downloaded below:
Alisha Joy Tuttle e-Portfolio 