Parents help prevent harm to children in A&E, Cardiff Uni study finds
Parents are helping prevent harm to children in hospital emergency departments, according to new research from across England and Wales
Parents are helping prevent harm to children in hospital emergency departments, according to new research from across England and Wales.
Researchers from Cardiff University reviewed 4,000 patient safety incident reports involving children who attended Emergency Departments. Of the 658 incidents that involved parental participation, 90% described parents helping to prevent, identify or reduce harm to their child.
The study found that parents played a crucial role in protecting children from healthcare-related harm by:
- Raising concerns when they believed something was wrong
- Prompting reassessments and further clinical reviews
- Identifying medication issues
- Correcting inaccurate medical information
- Chasing delayed investigations, referrals or treatment
- Seeking second opinions or returning for further care when concerns remained
The findings come at a time of increasing demand on children's emergency services and growing national recognition of the importance of listening to families, including through NHS England's recent introduction of Martha's Rule - which gives patients and families the right to request an urgent review if they are concerned about a patient's condition.
The study found that parents frequently acted as an additional safety net, particularly when children were unable to communicate effectively.
Chief investigator Professor Andrew Carson-Stevens, PRIME Director at Cardiff University, said: “In many cases, parents identified problems, challenged decisions, highlighted missing information and helped prevent harm before it reached their child."
The researchers revealed that many of the reports involved parents stepping in when care had been delayed or communication had broken down.
10% of reports described parents unintentionally contributing to safety incidents, including:
- Providing inaccurate information about medicines already given at home
- Not sharing allergy information
- Giving incorrect patient details at registration
- Misunderstanding treatment plans or medication instructions
- Medication-related incidents accounted for half of all reports where parents contributed to harm
Lead author of the study, Clinical Lecturer of Patient Safety, Dr Joy McFadzean added: “Our research highlights the need for healthcare organisations to focus on creating environments where parents and families feel confident and safe to raise concerns, ask questions and challenge decisions when necessary."
“As initiatives such as Martha's Rule are rolled out across the NHS, health services should ensure families are listened to, supported and recognised as valued members of the care team."