scholarly journals A Safety Program in a Tertiary Care Center Emergency Department: An Evidence-Based Project to Increase Safety Event Reporting and Improve Frontline Staff Perceptions of Hospital Management’s Response to Safety Events

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth McMaster
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Staff Perceptions ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Frontline Staff ◽  
Event Reporting ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Safety Event ◽  
Management Involvement

Practice Problem: The lack of a non-punitive safety culture with a healthcare organization is associated with decreased safety event reporting, reimbursement rates, and staff satisfaction. PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this project was: In emergency department frontline staff, does hospital management involvement in a safety event program, contrasted with no safety event program, improve frontline staff’s reporting of safety events and perceptions of hospital management’s response to safety events management involvement over four weeks? Evidence: Three overlapping themes that guided this project included: improving organizational culture, open communication, and leadership support in promoting patient safety. Intervention: A safety event program, Safety STOP, was utilized as an evidence-based intervention to improve employee reporting of safety events and perceptions. Outcome: The intervention did not significantly impact frontline staff perceptions of hospital management’s response to safety events; however, the proportion of safety events reported during the implementation phase was significantly higher than the proportion of safety events reported before the intervention. Conclusion: Safety STOP had a significant impact on the organization. After initial implementation, Safety STOP was implemented hospital-wide, reduced the total number of sentinel events required to be reported to the state, and reduced the total time from safety event to root cause analysis.

scholarly journals Triaging the triage: reducing waiting time to triage in the emergency department at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 558-563
Author(s):  
Akshay Kumar ◽  
Dheeneshbabu Lakshminarayanan ◽  
Nitesh Joshi ◽  
Sonali Vaid ◽  
Sanjeev Bhoi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Time Of Arrival ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Senior Leadership ◽  
Frontline Staff ◽  
Patient Load ◽  
Hot Weather

BackgroundProlonged wait times prior to triage outside the emergency department (ED) were a major problem at our institution, compromising patient safety. Patients often waited for hours outside the ED in hot weather leading to exhaustion and clinical deterioration. The aim was to decrease the median waiting time to triage from 50 min outside ED for patients to <30 min over a 4-month period.MethodsA quality improvement (QI) team was formed. Data on waiting time to triage were collected between 12 pm and 1 pm. Data were collected by hospital attendants and recorded manually. T1 was noted as a time of arrival outside the ED, and T2 was noted as the time of first medical contact. The QI team used plan–do–study–act cycles to test solutions. Change ideas to address these gaps were tested during May and June 2018. Change ideas were focused on improving the knowledge and skills of staff posted in triage and reducing turnover of triage staff. Data were analysed using run chart rules.ResultsWithin 6 weeks, the waiting time to triage reduced to <30 min (median, 12 min; IQR, 11 min) and this improvement was sustained for the next 8 weeks despite an increase in patient load.ConclusionThe authors demonstrated that people new to QI could use improvement methods to address a specific problem. It was the commitment of the frontline staff, with the active support of senior leadership in the department that helped this effort succeed.

scholarly journals 2024. A Multifaceted Intervention to Improve Oral Antimicrobial Prescription at the Emergency Department at a Japanese Tertiary Care Center

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S679-S679
Author(s):  
Yasuaki Tagashira ◽  
Hitoshi Honda
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Multifaceted Intervention ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Appropriate Prescription ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescription

Abstract Background The emergency department (ED) is one of the most important settings where antimicrobials are frequently prescribed in developed countries, and at least 30% of antimicrobials prescribed at the ED are inappropriate. Some studies revealed that various factors, especially the physician-related factors were associated with inappropriate antimicrobial use. Implementing effective strategies to modify prescribing practice is needed to optimize antimicrobial therapy at the ED. Methods We implemented a multifaceted intervention to patients discharged with oral antimicrobial agents in the ED at a Japanese tertiary care center from October 2018 to March 2019. The intervention included (1) an educational didactic session to physicians, (2) an evidence-based tool book regarding antimicrobial use for common diagnoses, (3) antimicrobial order sets for common diagnoses, (4) monthly reports of the appropriateness of antimicrobial use, and (5) post-prescription review and feedback by an infectious diseases physician. The proportion of appropriate discharge antimicrobial prescription at ED, and changes in the prescription density, measured as the number of prescription per 1,000 patient visits between pre- and post-intervention were evaluated. Results The total number of patient visits at the ED during the study period was 52,274. With the intervention, the mean monthly discharge antimicrobial prescription decreased from 42.7 to 34.2 per 1,000 visits (proportional reduction 0.20; P < 0.01). Overall, appropriate prescription rate significantly increased from 47.7% (742/1,555) to 77.4% (421/544) (P < 0.01). The rate of unnecessary and inappropriate discharge antimicrobial prescription accounted from 27.5% (428/1,555) and 21.7% (337/1,555) to 8.5% (46/544) and 10.7% (58/544), respectively. A substantial improvement in discharge antimicrobial prescription against intra-abdominal infections and odontogenic infections during the intervention period was observed (changes in the proportion of appropriate prescription was 0.37 [P < 0.01] and 0.51 [P < 0.01], respectively. Conclusion An evidence-based, multifaceted intervention led to decreasing unnecessary prescription and optimizing physicians’ antimicrobial prescriptions at the ED. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Creating an Infrastructure for Safety Event Reporting and Analysis in a Multicenter Pediatric Emergency Department Network

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Chamberlain ◽  
Kathy N. Shaw ◽  
Kathleen A. Lillis ◽  
Prashant V. Mahajan ◽  
Richard M. Ruddy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Pediatric Emergency Department ◽  
Event Reporting ◽  
Safety Event

The Red Legs RATED tool to improve diagnosis of lower limb cellulitis in the emergency department

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. S22-S29
Author(s):  
Gillian O'Brien ◽  
Patricia White
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Accurate Diagnosis ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
User Friendly

Background: Lower limb cellulitis poses a significant burden for the Irish healthcare system. Accurate diagnosis is difficult, with a lack of validated evidence-based tools and treatment guidelines, and difficulties distinguishing cellulitis from its imitators. It has been suggested that around 30% of suspected lower limb cellulitis is misdiagnosed. An audit of 132 patients between May 2017 and May 2018 identified a pattern of misdiagnosis in approximately 34% of this cohort. Objective: The aim of this pilot project was to develop a streamlined service for those presenting to the emergency department with red legs/suspected cellulitis, through introduction of the ‘Red Leg RATED’ tool for clinicians. Method: The tool was developed and introduced to emergency department clinicians. Individuals (n=24) presenting with suspected cellulitis over 4 weeks in 2018 were invited to participate in data gathering. Finally, clinician questionnaire feedback regarding the tool was evaluated. Results: Fourteen participants consented, 6 female and 8 male with mean age of 65 years. The tool identified 50% (n=7) as having cellulitis, of those 57% (n=4) required admission, 43% (n=3) were discharged. The remainder who did not have cellulitis (n=7) were discharged. Before introduction of the tool, all would typically have been admitted to hospital for further assessment and management of suspected lower limb cellulitis. Overall, 72% (n=10) of patients who initially presented with suspected cellulitis were discharged, suggesting positive impact of the tool. Clinician feedback suggested all were satisfied with the tool and contents. Conclusion: The Red Leg RATED tool is user friendly and impacts positively on diagnosis treatment and discharge. Further evaluation is warranted.

scholarly journals Effective Utilization of Limited Isolation Rooms to Provide Safe Patient Care and Staff Safety in a Low- and Middle-Income Country

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s203-s204
Author(s):  
Rozina Roshanali
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Safe Patient Care ◽  
Bed Management ◽  
Resource Setting

Background: My tertiary-care hospital is a 750-bed hospital with only 17 airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) and negative-pressure rooms to isolate patients who have been diagnosed or are suspected with prevalent diseases like tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. On the other hand, only 14 single-patient isolation rooms are available to isolate patients with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) such as CRE (carbapenum-resistant Enterobacter) or colistin-resistant MDROs. Due to the limited number of isolation rooms, the average number of hours to isolate infected patients was ~20 hours, which ultimately directly placed healthcare workers (HCWs) at risk of exposure to infected patients. Methods: Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement methodology was utilized to decrease the average number of hours to isolate infected patients and to reduce the exposure of HCWs to communicable diseases. A detailed analysis were performed to identify root causes and their effects at multiple levels. A multidisciplinary team implemented several strategies: coordination with information and technology team to place isolation alerts in the charting system; screening flyers and questions at emergency department triage; close coordination with admission and bed management office; daily morning and evening rounds by infection preventionists in the emergency department; daily morning meeting with microbiology and bed management office to intervene immediately to isolate patients in a timely way; infection preventionist on-call system (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) to provide recommendations for patient placement and cohorting of infected patients wherever possible. Results: In 1 year, a significant reduction was achieved in the number of hours to isolate infected patients, from 20 hours to 4 hours. As a result, HCW exposures to communicable diseases also decreased from 6.7 to 1.5; HCW exposures to TB decreased from 6.0 to 1.9; exposures measles decreased from 4.75 to 1.5; and exposures chickenpox decreased from 7.3 to 1.0. Significant reductions in cost incurred by the organization for the employees who were exposed to these diseases for postexposure prophylaxis also decreased, from ~Rs. 290,000 (~US$3,000) to ~Rs. 59,520 (~US$600). Conclusions: This multidisciplinary approach achieved infection prevention improvements and enhanced patient and HCW safety in a limited-resource setting.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Implementation of the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program to Improve Hand Hygiene in Four NICUs in Pune, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s8-s10
Author(s):  
Julia Johnson ◽  
Asad Latif ◽  
Bharat Randive ◽  
Abhay Kadam ◽  
Uday Rajput ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Safety Program

Background: In low- and middle-income country (LMIC) healthcare facilities, gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices increase risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and mortality among hospitalized neonates. Method: In this quasi-experimental study, we implemented the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) to improve adherence to evidence-based IPC practices in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in 4 tertiary-care facilities in Pune, India. CUSP is a validated strategy to empower staff to improve unit-level patient safety. Baseline safety culture was measured using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS). Baseline IPC assessments using the Infection Control Assessment Tool (ICAT) were completed to describe existing IPC practices to identify focus areas, the first of which was hand hygiene (HH). Sites received training in CUSP methodology and formed multidisciplinary CUSP teams, which met monthly and were supported by monthly coaching calls. Staff safety assessments (SSAs) guided selection of multimodal interventions. HH compliance was measured by direct observation using trained external observers. The primary outcome was HH compliance, evaluated monthly during the implementation and maintenance phases. Secondary outcomes included CUSP meeting frequency and HH compliance by healthcare worker (HCW) role. Result: In March 2018, 144 HCWs and administrators participated in CUSP training. Site meetings occurred monthly. During the implementation phase (June 2018–January 2019), HH monitoring commenced, sites formed their teams, completed the SSA, and selected interventions to improve HH based on the WHO’s IPC multimodal improvement strategy: (1) system change; (2) training and education; (3) monitoring and feedback; (4) reminders and communication; and (5) a culture of safety (Fig. 1). During the maintenance phase (February–September 2019), HH was monitored monthly and sites adapted interventions as needed. HH compliance improved from 58% to 70% at participant sites from implementation to maintenance phases (Fig. 2), with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 (95% CI, 1.50–1.84; P < .001). HH compliance improved across all HCW roles: (1) physician compliance improved from 55% to 67% (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.42–2.01; P < .001); (2) nurse compliance from 61% to 73% (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.46–1.93; P < .001); and (3) other HCW compliance from 52% to 62% (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.10–1.99; P = .010). Conclusion: CUSP was successfully adapted by 4 diverse tertiary-care NICUs in Pune, India, and it resulted in increased HH compliance at all sites. This multimodal strategy is a promising framework for LMIC healthcare facilities to sustainably address IPC gaps and reduce HAI and mortality in neonates.Funding: NoneDisclosures: Aaron Milstone, Johns Hopkins University, BD (consulting)

scholarly journals “What is the actual goal of the pathway?”: examining emergency department physician and nurse perspectives on the implementation of a pediatric concussion pathway using the theoretical domains framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anh Ly ◽  
Roger Zemek ◽  
Bruce Wright ◽  
Jennifer Zwicker ◽  
Kathryn Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Clinical Pathways ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Emergency Department Physician ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pediatric Concussion

Abstract Background Multiple evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) exist to guide the management of concussion in children, but few have been translated into clinical pathways (CP), which operationalize guidelines into accessible and actionable algorithms that can be more readily implemented by health care providers. This study aimed to identify the clinical behaviours, attitudinal factors, and environmental contexts that potentially influence the implementation of a clinical pathway for pediatric concussion. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted from October 2017 to January 2018 with 42 emergency department clinicians (17 physicians, 25 nurses) at five urban emergency departments in Alberta, Canada. A Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF)-informed interview guide contained open-ended questions intended to gather feedback on the proposed pathway developed for the study, as well as factors that could potentially influence its implementation. Results The original 14 domains of the TDF were collapsed into 6 clusters based on significant overlap between domains in the issues discussed by clinicians: 1) knowledge, skills, and practice; 2) professional roles and identity; 3) attitudes, beliefs, and motivations; 4) goals and priorities; 5) local context and resources; and 6) engagement and collaboration. The 6 clusters identified in the interviews each reflect 2–4 predominant topics that can be condensed into six overarching themes regarding clinicians’ views on the implementation of a concussion CP: 1) standardization in the midst of evolving research; 2) clarifying and communicating goals; 3) knowledge dissemination and alignment of information; 4) a team-oriented approach; 5) site engagement; and 6) streamlining clinical processes. Conclusion Application of a comprehensive, evidence-based, and theory-driven framework in conjunction with an inductive thematic analysis approach enabled six themes to emerge as to how to successfullly implement a concussion CP.

scholarly journals Implementing Delirium Prevention in the Era of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Nila S. Radhakrishnan ◽  
Mariam Mufti ◽  
Daniel Ortiz ◽  
Suzanne T. Maye ◽  
Jennifer Melara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Delirium Prevention ◽  
Prevention Model ◽  
Prevention Methods

Patients admitted with COVID-19 can develop delirium due to predisposing factors, isolation, and the illness itself. Standard delirium prevention methods focus on interaction and stimulation. It can be challenging to deliver these methods of care in COVID settings where it is necessary to increase patient isolation. This paper presents a typical clinical vignette of representative patients in a tertiary care hospital and how a medical team modified an evidence-based delirium prevention model to deliver high-quality care to COVID-19 patients. The implemented model focuses on four areas of delirium-prevention: Mobility, Sleep, Cognitive Stimulation, and Nutrition. Future studies will be needed to track quantitative outcome measures.

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