Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

2026

Faculty Mentor

Brooke Mulrenin

Abstract

Around the world, congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading birth defects in infants and has been known to cause many long-term developmental effects (Scott & Neal, 2021). Given these developmental risks, recent literature suggests that there lack strong and effective resources for parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals about infant development and the application of occupational therapy in the setting of pediatric CHD (Marino et al., 2019). The purpose of this capstone was to promote parent, caregiver, and staff engagement with patients to promote motor development and feeding skills in the in-patient pediatric cardiac setting. Our aims were 1) To create educational resources for parents of infants/children in the heart center to reinforce positivity, educate on motor development and feeding, and offer activity ideas for continuum of care and 2) To strengthen knowledge on a pediatric heart center of the interdisciplinary roles relating to patient development and gain experience educating others via resource creation. The deliverables include two updated versions of the bedside feeding plans, individualized home education plan “scrapbooks” based on OT practices, and “Feeding Superstar” medals. Data was collected via a mixed-methods survey to obtain feedback from the OT team and through interviews with caregivers and staff on the Heart Center. The analyses and data collection demonstrated a positive impact and increased caregiver confidence of the deliverables on the unit with ~95% of participants agreeing on the efficacy, sustainability, and the efficiency of the deliverables. Ongoing implementation of bedside feeding plans and individualized HEPs supported by Canva templates and carried out by rehab technicians will allow for sustainability of this project and continued patient engagement.

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