Journal Article

8033 PED-TV: making every contact count. A quality improvement project transforming our paediatric emergency department waiting room into an educational experience

Thomson, James, Mottershead Noellie, Mechie Hannah, Yasmin Salima

2025

Overview

Why did you do this work?The aim of our quality improvement project was to identify and implement digital resources into the Paediatric Emergency Department (PED) to transform patient and carers’ waits into an educational opportunity. Annually, over 50,000 patients visit the PED, alongside their parents, carers, siblings and more. Waiting times average 30-121 minutes, providing a captive audience for a proactive approach to health and wellbeing education for our patients and families.What did you do?Patients (aged 8 years and above), carers and staff were surveyed to assess reception of our project proposal and suggested topics for learning.We approached local and national recognised organisations for consent to display their resources and a team of PED leadership assessed each video for suitability and impact.Following this, we collaborated with the trust media team to curate a 42-minute playlist, titled ‘PED-TV,’ and launched during ‘Child Safety Week in June 2024.’A post-playlist questionnaire was disseminated to measure impact. Patients, their carers, and families were invited to feedback on their experience.What did you find?Pre-pilot responses (18) demonstrated a 100% positive response to streaming educational videos in the waiting area. Results indicated high interest in topics like dental hygiene (100%), vaccine advice (100%), and burn management (94.4%).Since its launch, 15,152 patients have passed through our pilot waiting area where the playlist is shown, alongside at least the same number of carers and family members.Post-pilot surveys indicate high patient satisfaction (83%) with the project and a measurable immediate impact on patient and carer knowledge. For example, understanding of safe sleeping habits for babies increased from 3.5/5.0 (prior to watching the educational videos) to 4.55/5.0 (after watching the educational videos). Responses also indicated a demonstrable increase in confidence levels regarding managing infant crying, with self-reported confidence rising from 3.09/5.0 (before watching the videos) to 4.0/5.0 (after watching the videos). Understanding of dangers of button batteries increased from 2.82/5.0 to 3.56/5.0.What does it mean?Our pilot is demonstrating high patient and family satisfaction and support for this project. Results also indicate a direct impact on patient and carer knowledge of important child health topics.The project has not cost any money, utilising free resources and existing waiting room spaces and screens. There is potential to even save money, through a reduction in preventable injuries and illnesses, and subsequent emergency attendances and hospital admissions.Next steps include expanding this pilot across all Paediatric waiting areas across the trust, to standardise access to this educational experience. We are also widening access to Manchester’s diverse population by delivering content in multiple languages and making content available digitally.By taking a proactive role in educating our local population through our waiting room, the potential impact on the overall health of our community is immense.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Caregivers / Child safety / Dental hygiene / Educational Experience / Educational films / Educational Opportunities / Emergency medical care / Emergency medical services / Families & family life / Hygiene / Learning Experience / Local population / Patient satisfaction / Patients / Pediatrics / Program Proposals / Quality control / Quality improvement / Video Technology