title: Parental satisfaction with a nurse-led emergency assessment unit.
abstract: Parents of children dischared from the paediatric emergency assessment unit of a large regional children's unit were surveyed to discover their perceptions of the care experience and post discharge support. Data from 40 parents revealed that the family journey through the unit was generally positive, although not without problems. The majority of children were referred from their general practitioner, and most were seen by a paediatrician within an hour of arrival. Morning-after phone calls and 24-hour access after discharge increased satisfaction. However, nearly a third of families reported they were not shown the facilities of the unit and just under half mentioned lack of privacy as a concern. An action plan to address these issues has been subsequently implemented and will be evaluated periodically.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Emergency Assessment Unit, Southampton General Hospital.
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiltshire
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000592:standards; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D004739:England; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000592:standards; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors