Documentation of Sleep Hygiene With Melatonin Use in Management of Sleep Disturbance in Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Quality Improvement Project

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve health-care provider consistency in addressing and documenting the use of sleep hygiene in children with neurodevelopmental disorders in alignment with evidence-based strategies. The project took place over 12 weeks and used a parent-completed screening tool and SmartPhrase technology incorporated into the patient note and discharge summary. A preimplementation and postimplementation query of the electronic medical record was used to determine change effectiveness. The postimplementation query found a 42% increase in documentation of sleep hygiene. In addition, a 55% increase in documentation of sleep hygiene with the initiation of melatonin was noted. The increase in documentation supports success of this initial practice change and demonstrates adherence to evidence-based sleep hygiene strategies. The project provided evidence of a significant improvement in electronic medical record documentation, highlighting an increased awareness of sleep issues in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.