147 Transition Across Care Boundaries: Opportunities to Improve Medication Safety for Children with Medical Complexity

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Children with medical complexity (CMC) experience frequent transitions of care (e.g., hospital to home) and are at increased risk for medication-related harm. This study aimed to identify transition-related medication safety barriers experienced by family caregivers, as they shoulder most of the caregiving responsibility following discharge. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We conducted semi-structured qualitative research interviews of 6 family caregivers and 10 healthcare professionals with roles assisting families during hospital discharge. Interviews focused on identifying key stages of the hospital-to-home transition period as well as medication-related tasks, decisions, and contexts. Transcribed audio interviews and research meeting notes were content analyzed to develop journey maps visually depicting key phases of the families experiences managing medication at home and their decision points and unmet needs. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Journey mapping identified key decision points, medication management needs, and way points navigated by family caregivers during the hospital-to-home transition. Findings were salient for each phase of the family journey: 1) initial admission/intra-unit transfer; 2) in-patient care; 3) peri-discharge planning; 4) discharge; 5) immediate post discharge period (we termed post-discharge configuration); and 6) period of ongoing tasks and needs. Illustrative examples will be presented and discussed. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Family caregivers of CMC have needs that evolve throughout the medication use journey, suggesting a need for interventions that account for the time variant nature of this work. Findings lay a foundation for the next step of our study which aims to develop a prototype medication safety intervention that will be evaluated with family caregivers.