Other Titles

How can we increase patient safety? [Session]

Abstract

Session presented on Tuesday, November 10, 2015:

The goal of this project was to improve consistency of bedside reporting (BsR) at change-of-shift on a 34 bed Medical-Surgical unit of a prestigious Northern California acute care hospital. Through unit microsystem assessment and interviews with key stakeholders, it was determined there were three root causes implicated in decreased BsR consistency; the first cause concerned an aspect of the microsystem's physical workflow that did not support BsR, the second cause concerned negative staff habits that impeded BsR as perpetuated by certain negative RN perceptions of BsR, and the final cause concerned a lack of BsR accountability. These foundational weaknesses were respectively confronted with evidence-based interventions encompassing (a) a physical workflow modification recommended to unit management; (b) using staff meetings to address certain negative RN perceptions of BsR using specific, positive BsR knowledge already possessed by staff; (c) creation of a network-based BsR digital resource folder to reinforce these BsR specifics; (d) establishment of an accountability system with motivations to foster development of all RNs into BsR champions. Post-intervention assessment showed an average BsR consistency improvement of 22.2 percent with largely positive RN perceptions of BsR. Extended success of the project would conceivably improve patient satisfaction ratings, decrease nursing overtime expense, and avoid potential litigation, thereby positively impacting hospital financial yields for a period of at least six months.

Description

43rd Biennial Convention 2015 Theme: Serve Locally, Transform Regionally, Lead Globally.

Author Details

Joshua S. Lehmer, RN, CNL, PHN

Sigma Membership

Beta Gamma

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Unit Microsystem Assessment, Patient Safety, Patient Care

Conference Name

43rd Biennial Convention

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Conference Year

2015

Rights Holder

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Improving transitions of care with bedside report

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Session presented on Tuesday, November 10, 2015:

The goal of this project was to improve consistency of bedside reporting (BsR) at change-of-shift on a 34 bed Medical-Surgical unit of a prestigious Northern California acute care hospital. Through unit microsystem assessment and interviews with key stakeholders, it was determined there were three root causes implicated in decreased BsR consistency; the first cause concerned an aspect of the microsystem's physical workflow that did not support BsR, the second cause concerned negative staff habits that impeded BsR as perpetuated by certain negative RN perceptions of BsR, and the final cause concerned a lack of BsR accountability. These foundational weaknesses were respectively confronted with evidence-based interventions encompassing (a) a physical workflow modification recommended to unit management; (b) using staff meetings to address certain negative RN perceptions of BsR using specific, positive BsR knowledge already possessed by staff; (c) creation of a network-based BsR digital resource folder to reinforce these BsR specifics; (d) establishment of an accountability system with motivations to foster development of all RNs into BsR champions. Post-intervention assessment showed an average BsR consistency improvement of 22.2 percent with largely positive RN perceptions of BsR. Extended success of the project would conceivably improve patient satisfaction ratings, decrease nursing overtime expense, and avoid potential litigation, thereby positively impacting hospital financial yields for a period of at least six months.