Quality improvement methodology can reduce hospitalisation for abscess management

2022 ◽  
pp. emermed-2021-211466
Author(s):  
Michael Dunn ◽  
Kate Savoie ◽  
Guliz Erdem ◽  
Michael W Dykes ◽  
Don Buckingham ◽  
...  

BackgroundAbscesses are a common reason for ED visits. While many are drained in the ED, some require drainage in the operating room (OR). We observed that a higher percentage of patients at our institution in Columbus, Ohio, were admitted to the hospital with abscesses for incision and drainage (I&D) in the OR than other institutions, including paediatric institutions. Our aim was to decrease hospitalisations for abscess management.MethodsA multidisciplinary team convened to decrease hospitalisation for patients with abscesses and completed multiple ‘Plan-Do-Study-Act’ cycles, including increasing I&Ds performed in the ED. Other interventions included implementation of a clinical pathway, training of procedure technicians (PT), updating the electronic medical record (EMR), credentialing advanced practice nurses in sedation and individual follow-up with providers for admitted patients. Data were analysed using statistical process control charts. Gross average charges were assessed.ResultsAdmissions for I&D decreased from 26.3% to 13.7%. Abscess drainage in the ED improved from 79.3% to 96.5%. Mean length of stay decreased from 19.5 to 11.5 hours for all patients. Patients sedated increased from 3.3% to 18.2%. The number of repeat I&Ds within 30 days decreased from 4.3% to 1.7%.ConclusionWe decreased hospitalisations for abscess I&D by using quality improvement methodology. The most influential intervention was an initiative to increase I&Ds performed in the ED. Additional interventions included expanded training of PTs, implementation of a clinical pathway, updating the EMR, improving interdepartmental communication and increasing sedation providers.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e807-e813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collin L. Plourde ◽  
William T. Varnado ◽  
Barbara J. Gleaton ◽  
Devika G. Das

PURPOSE: Long wait times are a common occurrence for chemotherapy infusion patients and are a source of decreased patient satisfaction. Our facility sought to decrease outpatient infusion clinic wait times by 20% using the Model for Improvement, quality improvement tools, and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was formed to address clinic wait times. Patient interviews, time studies, process mapping, brainstorming sessions, affinity diagrams, fishbone diagrams, and surveys were used to define the problem and to develop an intervention. Wait times from check-in until medication administration were analyzed using statistical process control charts. Our Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle led to the addition of a “fast-track” clinic title for patients not waiting for laboratory results on the day of treatment and changes in clinic communication. The fast-track clinic signaled for those patients to have priority for vital sign collection and earlier notification to pharmacy to begin preparing medications. RESULTS: Baseline wait times for patients not requiring laboratories on the day of treatment averaged 1 hour and 33 minutes. After intervention, using statistical process control charts, a shift was observed with a new average wait time of 1 hour and 12 minutes (a 23% decrease). Wait times for patients requiring laboratories on the day of treatment did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a fast-track clinic title and improving communication resulted in a significant reduction in wait times for patients not requiring laboratories on the day of treatment. Future efforts will focus on sustainment and improving wait times for all patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110133
Author(s):  
Ellen S. Deutsch ◽  
Sonya Malekzadeh ◽  
Cecelia E. Schmalbach

Simulation training has taken a prominent role in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (OTO-HNS) as a means to ensure patient safety and quality improvement (PS/QI). While it is often equated to resident training, this tool has value in lifelong learning and extends beyond the individual otolaryngologists to include simulation-based learning for teams and health systems processes. Part III of this PS/QI primer provides an overview of simulation in medicine and specific applications within the field of OTO-HNS. The impact of simulation on PS/QI will be presented in an evidence-based fashion to include the use of run and statistical process control charts to assess the impact of simulation-guided initiatives. Last, steps in developing a simulation program focused on PS/QI will be outlined with future opportunities for OTO-HNS simulation.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Ostrow ◽  
Deena Savlov ◽  
Susan E. Richardson ◽  
Jeremy N. Friedman

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Viral respiratory infections are common in children, and practice guidelines do not recommend routine testing for typical viral illnesses. Despite results often not impacting care, nasopharyngeal swabs for viral testing are frequently performed and are an uncomfortable procedure. The aim of this initiative was to decrease unnecessary respiratory viral testing (RVT) in the emergency department (ED) and the pediatric medicine wards (PMWs) by 50% and 25%, respectively, over 36 months. METHODS: An expert panel reviewed published guidelines and appropriate evidence to formulate an RVT pathway using plan-do-study-act cycles. A multifaceted improvement strategy was developed that included implementing 2 newer, more effective tests when testing was deemed necessary; electronic order modifications with force functions; audit and feedback; and education. By using statistical process control charts, the outcomes analyzed were the percentage of RVT ordered in the ED and the rate of RVT ordered on the PMWs. Balancing measures included return visits leading to admission and inpatient viral nosocomial outbreaks. RESULTS: The RVT rate decreased from a mean of 3.0% to 0.5% of ED visits and from 44.3 to 30.1 per 1000 patient days on the PMWs and was sustained throughout the study. Even when accounting for the new rapid influenza test available in the ED, a 50% decrease in overall ED RVT was still achieved without any significant impact on return visits leading to admission or inpatient nosocomial infections. CONCLUSIONS: Through implementation of a standardized, electronically integrated RVT pathway, a decrease in unnecessary RVT was successfully achieved. Audit and feedback, reminders, and biannual education all supported long-term sustainability of this initiative.


Author(s):  
Nigel Livesley ◽  
Astou Coly ◽  
Esther Karamagi ◽  
Tamara Nsubuga-Nyombi ◽  
Stella Kasindi Mwita ◽  
...  

Over half of mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) occurs postdelivery. Keeping mother–infant pairs in care remains challenging. Health workers in 3 countries used quality improvement (QI) approaches to improve data systems, mother–infant retention, and facility-based care delivery. The number and proportion of infants with known HIV status at time of discharge from early infant diagnosis programs increased in Tanzania and Uganda. We analyzed data using statistical process control charts. Mother-to-child HIV transmission did not decrease in 15 Kenyan sites, decreased from 12.7% to 3.8% in 28 Tanzanian sites, and decreased from 17.2% to 1.5% in 10 Ugandan sites with baseline data. This improvement is likely due to the combination of option B+, service delivery improvements, and retention through QI approaches. Reaching the global MTCT elimination target and maximizing infant survival will require health systems to support mother–infant pairs to remain in care and support health workers to deliver care. Quality improvement approaches can support these changes.


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