Evaluation of the Updated Congenital Heart Assessment Tool 2 (CHAT2)

Aim: The aim of the Quality Improvement project, funded by the Health Foundation, was to further evaluate the Congenital Heart Assessment Tool (CHAT) and to implement quality improvements in the tool, creating a second version called CHAT2.

Methods: This poster will present evaluation of CHAT2 (within THF project) by parents and health care professionals (HCP), led by Dr Kerry Gaskin, through a clinical simulation exercise with HCPs at the University of Worcester (20th/22nd June 2017) and a focus group with parents during a workshop at the Little Hearts Matter Open Day (17th March 2018). Participants’ experiences relating to the feasibility, acceptability and usability of the CHAT2 were explored by using the clinical scenarios to role play situations where parents and HCPs would need to use the CHAT2. The clinical scenarios with HCPs were video recorded with and audio recorded with parents. Participants were asked to feedback at the end of the scenarios (verbally and written), evaluating the CHAT2 for ease of use and suggestions for implementation in practice.

Findings: Four themes emerged from the data analysis including: Suggestions for improved documentation; Aspects to consider during preparation and in dialogue with parents; Preparation of health care professionals; Communication

Conclusions: The project team need to focus on the preparation of a toolkit for HCPs so that everyone knows how to use the CHAT2. The toolkit needs structure to indicate how and when CHAT2 should be used before discharge as well as creating a standard discharge pack for centres to use nationally.