title: Challenges in conducting research in pediatric long-term care facilities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) have complex medical problems and unique care needs, yet research in this setting is rare. As part of an intervention study to improve patient safety (Keep It Clean for Kids [KICK]), we describe the challenges encountered and recommend approaches to build a successful and sustained collaborative relationship between pediatric LTCFs and the research team.
  
  
  METHODS
  We implemented a program with 5 components: leadership commitment, active staff participation by the creation of KICK teams, workflow assessments, staff training in the World Health Organization's "5 Moments for Hand Hygiene," and electronic monitoring and feedback to staff regarding hand hygiene practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major challenges encountered were establishing trust, building research teams, enhancing staff participation, and engaging families and visitors. Approaches to deal with these challenges are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conducting research in pediatric LTCFs requires sustained commitment to dealing with challenges and establishing collaborative relationships with administrative and frontline staff.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, New York, NY, USA ell23@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Elaine L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Bevin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, New York, NY, USA New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saiman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D063373:Hand Hygiene; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006763:Hospitals, Chronic Disease; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007857:Leadership; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009518:New York; D061214:Patient Safety; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D035502:Trust; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: hand hygiene; long-term care; patient safety; pediatrics