Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project was to evaluate confidence and engagement in an inpatient transition process for adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Education was supplemented with a web-based application to provide text-message- coaching.|Background: CHD affects 1.35 million newborns annually. With medical advances, these children are surviving into adulthood. Approximately 1.4 million adults live with CHD and less than 10% receive proper care. There are limited structured transition programs promoting successful transition to adult care. Morbidity and mortality increase with inconsistent transition processes.|Sample/Setting: Adolescents with CHD on a 23-bed medical surgical unit specializing in pediatric cardiology at a Midwestern Children’s Hospital between September 2020–November 2020.|Methods: Evaluated using a pre-/post-survey. Education was provided using a standardized binder. Following inpatient education, participants received text message coaching over a 3- week period via a web-based application (OhMD). This project evaluated two questions pertaining to engagement and confidence in the transition process and asked participants to rate responses on a 0–10 scale. A score of 5 was the predetermined indicator for engagement and confidence.|Results: 2 of 6 participants completed the post-survey, yielding a 33% response rate. No respondents’ engagement scores were ≥ 5 on the pre-survey; however, all demonstrated increased engagement on the post-survey. 33% of respondents’ confidence scores were ≥ 5 on the pre-survey; however, all indicated decreased confidence on the post-survey. Of the 33%, half of respondents agreed text messages were helpful in progressing towards their transition- centered goal, and text messages and/or the use of a web-based application would be beneficial in the transition process.|Conclusion: Text-message-coaching and/or a web-based application suggests promise in the transition process for adolescents with CHD. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to determine sustainability and effectiveness of inpatient transition education and the use of a web-based application, in promoting engagement and confidence in the transition process.