scholarly journals Improving hospital flow ‘Ensiab Project’

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e001505
Author(s):  
Yasser Alotaibi ◽  
Noura Alnowaiser ◽  
Ahmad Alamry

Emergency department (ED) boarding is an indicator of less efficient hospital flow and is associated with longer inpatient length of stay, higher readmission rates and increased risk of mortality and medical errors. In addition to being associated with poor patient and staff satisfaction.This article describes the efforts of six tertiary care governmental hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that have enrolled in a collaborative improvement project to reduce ED boarding time.The hospitals implemented a multifaceted system intervention that included forming multidisciplinary flow improvement teams, implementing the National Health Service (NHS) SAFER patient flow bundle, visual management system and multidisciplinary ED bed huddles.By the end of the project, all hospitals significantly reduced ED boarding time with a pooled mean difference of – 7.1 hours (16.6 before, 9.5 hours after, p<0.001), reaching a pooled average of 2 hours in March 2020.Furthermore, by the end of the third learning session, all hospitals were able to achieve a boarding time below 6 hours. The enrolled hospitals also experienced an improvement in hospital flow process measures without any increase in 30-day readmission rates or bed occupancy rates.Our project demonstrates that implementing multifaceted system-wide interventions improves hospital flow and ED boarding time. Additionally, our project demonstrates a significant correlation between improvements in ED boarding time, daily consultant-led rounds and early discharge from inpatient units and time till discharge.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s286-s286
Author(s):  
Aarikha D’Souza ◽  
Joan Ivaska

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) can be attributed to increased patient morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and overall increased healthcare costs. The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) was implemented in 2002 but has made limited impact on SSI rates across our facilities, which has led to the creation of a bundled approach of current evidence-based strategies. Methods: In January 2019, a comprehensive SSI prevention bundle of strategies was implemented across a multihospital health system. The bundle was comprised of 8 interventions focusing on the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative continuum of care, and refining documentation in the electronic medical record. From January to September 2019 (preointervention period), data were collected from 7,163 adult inpatient and observation elective patients undergoing colon surgery (COLO), abdominal hysterectomy (HYST), hip arthroplasty (HPRO), knee arthroplasty (KPRO), and cardiac bypass graft (CBGB/CBGC). The preintervention period for SSI standardized infection ratios (SIRs) and retrospective review of process measures was set as January–December 2018 (postintervetnion period). Each process measure had outlined targets along with primary outcome measures of overall SSI SIRs and SIRs for each of the 5 reported procedure categories. SSIs were validated to meet CDC and NHSN surveillance case definitions. Secondary outcomes evaluated included length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, and mortality. Results: Overall SIR for all 5 monitored surgical categories decreased by 5% to 1.131 from January to September 2019, compared to SIR of 1.190 in 2018. Hip and knee arthroplasties demonstrated 40% and 38% reductions after the intervention, respectively. Completion of 7 or 8 interventions of the SSI bundle were correlated with lower readmission rates (P = .0488). When any portion of the bundle was used, this was correlated with shorter LOS (P < .0001). Adherence to standardized antimicrobial prophylaxis was associated with decreased mortality (P = .017), for all 5 surgical categories. Conclusions: With the implementation of a focused SSI reduction bundle, our institution has realized reductions in surgical readmissions, length of stay, and mortality. Additionally, SSI rates in certain procedure categories have shown marked improvement. The initial success of this bundle has garnered development of additional procedure focused supplemental strategies for the future year.Funding: NoneDisclosures: Aarikha D’Souza, Banner Health


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e001179
Author(s):  
Ahmed Elkholi ◽  
Huda Althobiti ◽  
Jamal Al Nofeye ◽  
Mohamed Hasan ◽  
Ahmed Ibrahim

Long waiting times in the emergency department (ED) are associated with decreased patient satisfaction and increased morbidity and mortality. Triage may be a contributing factor to prolonged wait times in the ED. At Alhada Armed Forces Hospital (Taif, Saudi Arabia), patients other than level 1 and 2 on the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale are requested to wait until triage. During peak hours (08:00−22:00), the waiting time prior to triage is prolonged, and several patients leave the ED before triage. In this project, a multidisciplinary team was assembled to revise patient flow from the time of arrival at the ED to the time of triage. Lean methodology was used to identify the redundancies and design a seamless flow process for ED patients. Through reorganising the triage area using minimal additional resources, the project team devised a novel floor plan for the triage area which provided a unique patient flow in the ED. The median patient wait time from arrival to triage was reduced from 27 min to 4.09 min and the percentage of patients leaving the ER before triage was reduced to 0%. This project is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, as well as in the Gulf region, and provides a radical solution to the problem of patient waiting in the ED during peak hours.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Siyuan Yu ◽  
Mohammad Taghvaei ◽  
Sarah Collopy ◽  
Keenan Piper ◽  
Michael Karsy ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE While multiple studies have evaluated the length of stay after endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) for pituitary adenoma, the potential for early discharge on postoperative day 1 (POD 1) remains unclear. The authors compared patients discharged on POD 1 with patients discharged on POD > 1 to better characterize factors that facilitate early discharge after ETS. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed for patients undergoing ETS for pituitary adenoma at a single tertiary care academic center from February 2005 to February 2020. Discharge on POD 1 was defined as a discharge within 24 hours of surgery. RESULTS A total of 726 patients (mean age 55 years, 52% male) were identified, of whom 178 (24.5%) patients were discharged on POD 1. These patients were more likely to have pituitary incidentaloma (p = 0.001), require dural substitutes and DuraSeal (p = 0.0001), have fewer intraoperative CSF leaks (p = 0.02), and have lower postoperative complication rates (p = 0.006) compared with patients discharged on POD > 1. POD 1 patients also showed higher rates of macroadenomas (96.1% vs 91.4%, p = 0.03) and lower rates of functional tumors (p = 0.02). POD > 1 patients were more likely to have readmission within 30 days (p = 0.002), readmission after 30 days (p = 0.0001), nasal synechiae on follow-up (p = 0.003), diabetes insipidus (DI; 1.7% vs 9.8%, p = 0.0001), postoperative hypocortisolism (21.8% vs 12.1%, p = 0.01), and postoperative steroid usage (44.6% vs 59.7%, p = 0.003). The number of patients discharged on POD 1 significantly increased during each subsequent time epoch: 2005–2010, 2011–2015, and 2016–2020 (p = 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, DI (OR 7.02, 95% CI 2.01–24.57; p = 0.002) and intraoperative leak (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.25–3.28; p = 0.004) were associated with increased risk for POD > 1 discharge, while operation epoch (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.3–0.71; p = 0.0001) was associated with POD 1 discharge. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that discharge on POD 1 after ETS for pituitary adenomas was safe and feasible and without increased risk of 30-day readmission. On multivariate analysis, surgical epoch was associated with decreased risk of prolonged length of stay, while factors associated with increased risk of prolonged length of stay included DI and intraoperative CSF leak. These findings may help in selecting patients who are deemed reasonable for safe, early discharge after pituitary adenoma resection.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Animesh Ray ◽  
Dr. Komal Singh ◽  
Souvick Chattopadhyay ◽  
Farha Mehdi ◽  
Dr. Gaurav Batra ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is an important tool to estimate the true extent of infection in a population. However, seroprevalence studies have been scarce in South East Asia including India, which, as of now, carries the third largest burden of confirmed cases in the world. The present study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody among hospitalized patients at one of the largest government hospital in India OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study is to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among patients admitted to the Medicine ward and ICU METHODS This cross-sectional study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India, recruited consecutive patients who were negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR or CB-NAAT. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels targeting recombinant spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS CoV-2 were estimated in serum sample by the ELISA method RESULTS A total of 212 hospitalized patients were recruited in the study with mean age (±SD) of 41.2 (±15.4) years and 55% male population. Positive serology against SARS CoV-2 was detected in 19.8%patients(95% CI 14.7-25.8). Residency in Delhi conferred a higher frequency of seropositivity 26.5% (95% CI 19.3-34.7) as compared to that of other states 8% (95% CI 3.0-16.4) with p-value 0.001. No particular age groups or socio-economic strata showed a higher proportion of seropositivity CONCLUSIONS Around, one-fifth of hospitalized patients, who were not diagnosed with COVID-19 before, demonstrated seropositivity against SARS-CoV-2. While there was no significant difference in the different age groups and socio-economic classes; residence in Delhi was associated with increased risk (relative risk of 3.62, 95% CI 1.59-8.21)


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Baizid Khoorshid Riaz ◽  
Shahjada Selim ◽  
Megan Neo ◽  
Md Nazmul Karim ◽  
M. Mostafa Zaman

<b><i>Methodology:</i></b> Biochemically confirmed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients (<i>n</i> = 1,114) were recruited from the outpatient department of 2 tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Face-to-face interview was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic parameters and relevant information about depression and diabetes. Biochemical test results and treatment-related information were taken from patients’ records. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to screen all patients for psychiatric manifestation. Those diagnosed by HADS were subsequently reassessed using structured clinical interview for DSM-5 Disorders – Clinician Version. T2DM diagnosed at age &#x3c;40 years were considered as early onset T2DM. Association between age of onset category and depression was assessed using multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression adjusting for random variation of the area of residence and plausible confounders. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Around a third of the participants (32.5%) were diagnosed with T2DM before the age of 40 years. Early onset T2DM patients were found to have 57% increase in the risk of developing depression (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.13–2.28; <i>p</i> = 0.011) in comparison to those with usual onset T2DM (≥40 years). Among other factors a positive family history for diabetes (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.03–1.78; <i>p</i> = 0.038), poor glycemic control (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.03–1.68; <i>p</i> = 0.028), presence of 1, or more diabetic complications (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.03–1.78; <i>p</i> = 0.011) also showed increased risk of depression. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Early onset T2DM patients are at greater risk of developing depression. The finding is likely to help in setting preventive strategies aiming to reduce the presence of concomitant depression symptoms among diabetes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155633162110306
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Kay ◽  
Danielle Y. Ponzio ◽  
Courtney D. Bell ◽  
Fabio Orozco ◽  
Zachary D. Post ◽  
...  

Background: Decreased length of stay after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is becoming a more common way to contain healthcare costs and increase patient satisfaction. There is little evidence to support “early” discharge in elderly patients. Purpose: We sought to identify preoperative factors that correlated with early discharge (by postoperative day [POD] 1) in comparison to late discharge (after POD2) in octogenarians after TJA. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study from a single institution, we identified 482 patients ages 80 to 89 who underwent primary TJA from January 2014 to December 2017; 319 had total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and 163 had total hip arthroplasty (THA). Data collected included preoperative knee range of motion (ROM), demographics, and comorbidities; 90-day readmission and mortality rates were also evaluated. P values for continuous data were calculated using student’s t test and for categorical data using χ2 testing. Results: Of octogenarian patients, 30.9% were discharged by POD1. Early discharge was associated with being male, married, and nonsmoking, as well as having an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 2, independent preoperative ambulation, and a postoperative caregiver. Type of procedure (TKA vs THA), body mass index, laterality, preoperative range of motion (ROM) for TKA, and single vs multilevel home did not affect the probability of early discharge. Discharge on POD1 was not associated with increased 90-day readmission rates. There were no deaths. Conclusion: Early discharge for octogenarians can be successfully implemented in a select subset of patients without increasing 90-day readmission or death rates. There are multiple factors that predict successful early discharge.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamis R. Karaoui ◽  
Elsy Ramia ◽  
Hanine Mansour ◽  
Nisrine Haddad ◽  
Nibal Chamoun

Abstract Background There is limited published data in Lebanon evaluating the impact of supplemental education for anticoagulants use, especially DOACs, on clinical outcomes such as bleeding. The study aims to assess the impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education and follow-up on bleeding and readmission rates. Methods This study was a randomized, non-blinded interventional study conducted between August 2017 and July 2019 in a tertiary care teaching Lebanese hospital. Participants were inpatients ≥18 years discharged on an oral anticoagulant for treatment. Block randomization was used. The control group received the standard nursing counseling while the intervention group additionally received pharmacy counseling. Phone call follow-ups were done on day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Primary outcomes included readmission rates and any bleeding event at day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included documented elements of education in the medical records and reported mortality upon day 30 post-discharge. Results Two hundred patients were recruited in the study (100 patients in each study arm) with a mean age of 73.9 years. In the pharmacist-counseled group, more patients contacted their physician within 3 days (14% versus 4%; p = 0.010), received explicit elements of education (p < 0.001) and documentation in the chart was better (p < 0.05). In the standard of care group, patients were more aware of their next physician appointment date (52% versus 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in bleeding rates at day 3 and 30 post-discharge was observed between the groups. Conclusions Although pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education did not appear to reduce bleeding or readmission rates at day 30, pharmacist education significantly increased patient communication with their providers in the early days post-discharge. Trial registration Lebanon Clinical Trial Registry LBCTR2020033424. Retrospectively registered. Date of registration: 06/03/2020.


HNO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Schuler ◽  
Jens Greve ◽  
Thomas K. Hoffmann ◽  
Janina Hahn ◽  
Felix Boehm ◽  
...  

Abstract Background One of the main symptoms of severe infection with the new coronavirus‑2 (SARS-CoV-2) is hypoxemic respiratory failure because of viral pneumonia with the need for mechanical ventilation. Prolonged mechanical ventilation may require a tracheostomy, but the increased risk for contamination is a matter of considerable debate. Objective Evaluation of safety and effects of surgical tracheostomy on ventilation parameters and outcome in patients with COVID-19. Study design Retrospective observational study between March 27 and May 18, 2020, in a single-center coronavirus disease-designated ICU at a tertiary care German hospital. Patients Patients with COVID-19 were treated with open surgical tracheostomy due to severe hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Measurements Clinical and ventilation data were obtained from medical records in a retrospective manner. Results A total of 18 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV‑2 infection and surgical tracheostomy were analyzed. The age range was 42–87 years. All patients received open tracheostomy between 2–16 days after admission. Ventilation after tracheostomy was less invasive (reduction in PEAK and positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP]) and lung compliance increased over time after tracheostomy. Also, sedative drugs could be reduced, and patients had a reduced need of norepinephrine to maintain hemodynamic stability. Six of 18 patients died. All surgical staff were equipped with N99-masks and facial shields or with powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR). Conclusion Our data suggest that open surgical tracheostomy can be performed without severe complications in patients with COVID-19. Tracheostomy may reduce invasiveness of mechanical ventilation and the need for sedative drugs and norepinehprine. Recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) for surgical staff should be followed when PPE is available to avoid contamination of the personnel.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e043837
Author(s):  
Usha Dutta ◽  
Anurag Sachan ◽  
Madhumita Premkumar ◽  
Tulika Gupta ◽  
Swapnajeet Sahoo ◽  
...  

ObjectivesHealthcare personnel (HCP) are at an increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection especially in resource-restricted healthcare settings, and return to homes unfit for self-isolation, making them apprehensive about COVID-19 duty and transmission risk to their families. We aimed at implementing a novel multidimensional HCP-centric evidence-based, dynamic policy with the objectives to reduce risk of HCP infection, ensure welfare and safety of the HCP and to improve willingness to accept and return to duty.SettingOur tertiary care university hospital, with 12 600 HCP, was divided into high-risk, medium-risk and low-risk zones. In the high-risk and medium-risk zones, we organised training, logistic support, postduty HCP welfare and collected feedback, and sent them home after they tested negative for COVID-19. We supervised use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and kept communication paperless.ParticipantsWe recruited willing low-risk HCP, aged <50 years, with no comorbidities to work in COVID-19 zones. Social distancing, hand hygiene and universal masking were advocated in the low-risk zone.ResultsBetween 31 March and 20 July 2020, we clinically screened 5553 outpatients, of whom 3012 (54.2%) were COVID-19 suspects managed in the medium-risk zone. Among them, 346 (11.4%) tested COVID-19 positive (57.2% male) and were managed in the high-risk zone with 19 (5.4%) deaths. One (0.08%) of the 1224 HCP in high-risk zone, 6 (0.62%) of 960 HCP in medium-risk zone and 23 (0.18%) of the 12 600 HCP in the low-risk zone tested positive at the end of shift. All the 30 COVID-19-positive HCP have since recovered. This HCP-centric policy resulted in low transmission rates (<1%), ensured satisfaction with training (92%), PPE (90.8%), medical and psychosocial support (79%) and improved acceptance of COVID-19 duty with 54.7% volunteering for re-deployment.ConclusionA multidimensional HCP-centric policy was effective in ensuring safety, satisfaction and welfare of HCP in a resource-poor setting and resulted in a willing workforce to fight the pandemic.


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