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Dunn AN, Lu EP. Things We Do for No Reason™: Discharge before noon. J Hosp Med 2024. [PMID: 38613473 DOI: 10.1002/jhm.13367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron N Dunn
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elise P Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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2
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Foran PL, Benjamin WJ, Sperry ED, Best SR, Boisen SE, Bosworth B, Brodsky MB, Shaye D, Brenner MJ, Pandian V. Tracheostomy-related durable medical equipment: Insurance coverage, gaps, and barriers. Am J Otolaryngol 2024; 45:104179. [PMID: 38118384 PMCID: PMC10939813 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tracheostomy care is supply- and resource-intensive, and airway-related adverse events in community settings have high rates of readmission and mortality. Devices are often implicated in harm, but little is known about insurance coverage, gaps, and barriers to obtaining tracheostomy-related medically necessary durable medical equipment. We aimed to identify barriers patients may encounter in procuring tracheostomy-related durable medical equipment through insurance plan coverage. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tracheostomy-related durable medical equipment provisions were evaluated across insurers, extracting data via structured telephone interviews and web-based searches. Each insurance company was contacted four times and queried iteratively regarding the range of coverage and co-pay policies. Outcome measures include call duration, consistency of explanation of benefits, and the number of transfers and disconnects. We also identified six qualitative themes from patient interviews. RESULTS Tracheostomy-related durable medical equipment coverage was offered in some form by 98.1 % (53/54) of plans across 11 insurers studied. Co-pays or deductibles were required in 42.6 % (23/54). There was significant variability in out-of-pocket expenditures. Fixed co-pays ranged from $0-30, and floating co-pays ranged from 0 to 40 %. During phone interviews, mean call duration was 19 ± 10 min, with an average of 2 ± 1 transfers between agents. Repeated calls revealed high information variability (mean score 2.4 ± 1.5). Insurance sites proved challenging to navigate, scoring poorly on usability, literacy, and information quality. CONCLUSIONS Several factors may limit access to potentially life-saving durable medical equipment for patients with tracheostomy. Barriers include out-of-pocket expenditures, lack of transparency on coverage, and low-quality information. Further research is necessary to evaluate patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palmer L Foran
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Simon R Best
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah E Boisen
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | | | - Martin B Brodsky
- Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; Outcomes After Critical Illness and Surgery (OACIS) Research Group, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Physical and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David Shaye
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School Massachusetts Eye and Ear, United States
| | - Michael J Brenner
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Global Tracheostomy Collaborative, Raleigh, NC, United States; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vinciya Pandian
- Center for Immersive Learning and Digital Innovation Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, United States; Global Tracheostomy Collaborative, Raleigh, NC, United States; Outcomes After Critical Illness and Surgery (OACIS) Research Group, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Paul CJ, Erickson BA, Nepple KG, Tracy CR. Does Rounding Order Bias Discharge Efficiency? Predictors of Discharge Timing on an Academic Urology Service. J Healthc Qual 2024; 46:12-21. [PMID: 38166162 DOI: 10.1097/jhq.0000000000000415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT No previous works have analyzed whether the order in which surgical teams see patients on morning rounds affects discharge efficiency at teaching hospitals. We obtained perioperative urologic surgery timing data at our academic institution from 2014 to 2019. We limited the analysis to routine postoperative day 1 discharges. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether various hospital and patient factors were associated with discharge timing. We analyzed 1,494 patients. Average discharge order time was 11:22 a.m. and hospital discharge 1:24 p.m. Univariate regression revealed earlier discharge order time for patients seen later in rounds by 4 minutes per sequential room cluster (p = .013) and by 12 minutes per cluster when excluding short-stay patients. Multivariate analysis revealed discharge order placement did not vary significantly by rounding order. However, time of hospital discharge did (p < .001), likely due to speed of discharge in the designated short-stay units. Attending physician was the most consistent predictor in variations of discharge timing, with statistical significance across all measured outcomes. Patients seen later in rounding progression received earlier discharge orders, but this relationship does not remain in multivariate modeling or translate to earlier discharge. These findings have helped guide quality improvement efforts focused on discharge efficiency.
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Poulin LIL, Skinner MW, Fox MT. Bed flow priorities and the spatial and temporal dimensions of rural older adult care. Soc Sci Med 2023; 336:116266. [PMID: 37812966 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite prior research that examines the spatial and temporal dimensions of older adult care, there is disparate research on the influence of patient flow priorities on older adult care over time and place. Drawing on a qualitative case study of rural older adult transitions in care in the Canadian context we examine how patient flow prioritization undervalues older patients' needs and the local contexts in which care is provided. Certainly, accounting for the spatial and temporal dimensions of older adult care has broader implications that will enhance future research, policy and practice. Policy makers, researchers and clinicians may then use these recommendations as a stepping stone to align the health care system with the older populations that they serve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura I L Poulin
- Trent University, 1600 West Bank Dr., Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Mark W Skinner
- Trent School of the Envronment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Dr., Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 0G2, Canada.
| | - Mary T Fox
- School of Nursing, York University Centre for Aging Research & Education, York University, Health Nursing & Environmental Studies, Suite 340, Keele Campus, Canada.
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Piniella NR, Fuller TE, Smith L, Salmasian H, Yoon CS, Lipsitz SR, Schnipper JL, Dalal AK. Early Expected Discharge Date Accuracy During Hospitalization: A Multivariable Analysis. J Med Syst 2023; 47:63. [PMID: 37171484 PMCID: PMC10175905 DOI: 10.1007/s10916-023-01952-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Accurate estimation of an expected discharge date (EDD) early during hospitalization impacts clinical operations and discharge planning. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of patients discharged from six general medicine units at an academic medical center in Boston, MA from January 2017 to June 2018. We retrieved all EDD entries and patient, encounter, unit, and provider data from the electronic health record (EHR), and public weather data. We excluded patients who expired, discharged against medical advice, or lacked an EDD within the first 24 h of hospitalization. We used generalized estimating equations in a multivariable logistic regression analysis to model early EDD accuracy (an accurate EDD entered within 24 h of admission), adjusting for all covariates and clustering by patient. We similarly constructed a secondary multivariable model using covariates present upon admission alone. RESULTS Of 3917 eligible hospitalizations, 890 (22.7%) had at least one accurate early EDD entry. Factors significantly positively associated (OR > 1) with an accurate early EDD included clinician-entered EDD, admit day and discharge day during the work week, and teaching clinical units. Factors significantly negatively associated (OR < 1) with an accurate early EDD included Elixhauser Comorbidity Index ≥ 11 and length of stay of two or more days. C-statistics for the primary and secondary multivariable models were 0.75 and 0.60, respectively. CONCLUSIONS EDDs entered within the first 24 h of admission were often inaccurate. While several variables from the EHR were associated with accurate early EDD entries, few would be useful for prospective prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Piniella
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
| | - Theresa E Fuller
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura Smith
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hojjat Salmasian
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cathy S Yoon
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stuart R Lipsitz
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Schnipper
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anuj K Dalal
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Manning L, Islam MS. A systematic review to identify the challenges to achieving effective patient flow in public hospitals. Int J Health Plann Manage 2023; 38:805-828. [PMID: 36855322 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review aims to uncover the challenges related to patient flow from a whole public hospital perspective and identify strategies to overcome these challenges. A search in Medline, Emcare and PubMed was conducted and 24 articles published in English, from 2015 to 2020, were selected in relation to patient flow challenges and strategies. Analysis of the articles was completed using a thematic approach to identify common themes in relation to the area of focus. Strategies from the literature were then aligned with the challenges to inform areas of potential improvement in relation to patient flow. The themes generated included Teamwork, Collaboration and Communication; Public Hospitals as complex systems; Timely discharge; Policy, Process and Decision-making; and Resources-capacity and demand. The key finding is that a whole system approach is required to improve patient flow in public hospitals. When effective patient flow is achieved, demand and capacity are matched, increasing patient access to the health service and enabling the resources required to provide high quality patient care. The findings will create a better understanding of improving patient flow in public hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Manning
- Southern NSW Local Health District, NSW Health, Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Md Shahidul Islam
- School of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
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Wang ME, Hutauruk RM, Perales S, Chang J, Kim J, Singh AT. Improving Efficiency on a Pediatric Hospital Medicine Service With Schedule-Based Family-Centered Rounds. Hosp Pediatr 2022; 12:491-501. [PMID: 35434735 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2021-006379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Inconsistencies in the timing and process of family-centered rounds can contribute to inefficiencies in patient care, inconsistent nursing participation, and variable end times. Through the implementation of schedule-based rounds, our aims were to (1) start 90% of rounds encounters within 30 minutes of the scheduled time, (2) increase nursing presence from 79% to >90%, and (3) increase the percentage of rounds completed by 11:20 am from 0% to 80% within 1 year. METHODS We used quality improvement methods to implement and evaluate a scheduled rounds process on a pediatric hospital medicine service at a university-affiliated children's hospital. Interventions included customization of an electronic health record-linked scheduling tool, daily schedule management by the senior resident, real-time rounds notification to nurses, improved education on rounding expectations, streamlined rounding workflow, and family notification of rounding time. Data were collected daily and run charts were used to track metrics. RESULTS One year after implementation, a median of 96% of rounds encounters occurred within 30 minutes of scheduled rounding time, nursing presence increased from a median of 79% to 94%, and the percentage of rounds completed by 11:20 am increased from a median of 0% to 86%. Rounds end times were later with a higher patient census. CONCLUSIONS We improved the efficiency of our rounding workflow and bedside nursing presence through a scheduled rounds process facilitated by an electronic health record-linked scheduling tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie E Wang
- aDivision of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California
| | | | - Shanna Perales
- cDepartment of Information Services, Stanford Children's Health, Palo Alto, California
| | - Jenina Chang
- dNursing, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California
| | - Joseph Kim
- aDivision of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California
| | - Amit T Singh
- aDivision of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, California
- cDepartment of Information Services, Stanford Children's Health, Palo Alto, California
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8
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Shapiro MH, Goodman DM, Rodriguez VA. The Perfect Discharge: A Framework for High-Quality Hospital Discharges. Hosp Pediatr 2022; 12:108-117. [PMID: 34961884 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2021-006100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew H Shapiro
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California.,Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California
| | - Denise M Goodman
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Victoria A Rodriguez
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Karube T, Goins T, Karsies TJ, Gee SW. Reducing Avoidable Transfer Delays in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for Status Asthmaticus Patients. Pediatr Qual Saf 2022; 7:e527. [PMID: 35071962 PMCID: PMC8782102 DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Status asthmaticus (acute severe asthma) is one of the most common reasons for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission. Accordingly, ensuring optimal throughput for patients admitted with status asthmaticus is essential for optimizing PICU capacity. Few studies specifically address effective methods to reduce delays related to PICU discharge. This project aimed to identify and reduce avoidable delays in PICU discharge for status asthmaticus patients. METHODS This quality improvement project focused on reducing transfer delays for status asthmaticus patients admitted to the PICU at a freestanding academic children's hospital. We standardized the transfer criteria, identified barriers to an efficient transfer, and implemented multidisciplinary interventions. The primary aim was to decrease the average duration from fulfilling the transfer criteria to PICU discharge by 15% from the baseline within 8 months of implementation. The balancing measure was readmissions to the PICU for asthma exacerbations within 24 hours from PICU discharge. RESULTS The analysis included 623 patients. Following interventions, the time from fulfilling transfer criteria to PICU discharge decreased from 9.8 hours to 6.8 hours, a 30.6% reduction from baseline. Improvements were sustained for 6 months. In the preintervention group, three patients were readmitted to the PICU within 24 hours of transferring out of the PICU, but no patient was readmitted during the postintervention period. CONCLUSIONS Standardizing transfer criteria and implementing multidisciplinary strategies can reduce avoidable PICU discharge delays for patients with status asthmaticus. The application of a similar approach could potentially reduce avoidable delays for other conditions in the PICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaharu Karube
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Theresa Goins
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Clinical Lead Respiratory Therapist, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Todd J. Karsies
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Samantha W. Gee
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
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10
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A Quality Improvement Approach to Early Patient Discharge. Pediatr Qual Saf 2021; 6:e497. [PMID: 34934880 PMCID: PMC8677894 DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lack of bed availability is a common problem in our pediatric unit, as in many hospitals. To address this issue, we instituted a quality improvement (QI) initiative involving collaborative nurse-physician rounding. This intervention has been shown to expedite discharge, improve patient care, and increase bed availability in other settings. Methods By utilizing PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) processes, we created two improvement initiatives, "Increasing Patient Discharge Before 12 pm" and "Midnight Rounds with Discharge Focus." Senior resident and faculty physicians rounded on discharge-ready patients before teaching rounds, and by 10 am, placed discharge orders to allow for a 12 pm discharge. A night team consisting of senior residents and nurses conducted "Midnight Rounds" and identified potential discharges for the morning team. The project aimed to increase patient discharges before 12 pm from a June-November 2018 baseline of 15%-20% by June 2019. Results Patient discharge percentage before 12 pm increased from 15% to 21% (P < 0.01) by June 2019, and as a result, bed availability increased by 16% (P < 0.01). Conclusions QI methodology clarified the root causes of limited bed availability. Understanding the existing discharge process allowed for QI initiatives to develop a consistent and sustainable discharge process. Patient discharge percentages before 12 pm increased by 40%, and bed availability increased by 16% after QI implementations.
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When patients get stuck: A systematic literature review on throughput barriers in hospital-wide patient processes. Health Policy 2021; 126:87-98. [PMID: 34969531 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hospital productivity is of great importance to policymakers, and previous research demonstrates that improved hospital productivity can be achieved by directing more focus towards patient throughput at healthcare organizations. There is also a growing body of literature on patient throughput barriers hampering the flow of patients. These projects rarely, however, encompass complete hospitals. Therefore, this paper provides a systematic literature review on hospital-wide patient process throughput barriers by consolidating the substantial body of studies from single settings into a hospital-wide perspective. Our review yielded a total of 2207 articles, of which 92 were finally selected for analysis. The results reveal long lead times, inefficient capacity coordination and inefficient patient process transfer as the main barriers at hospitals. These are caused by inadequate staffing, lack of standards and routines, insufficient operational planning and a lack in IT functions. As such, this review provides new perspectives on whether the root causes of inefficient hospital patient throughput are related to resource insufficiency or inefficient work methods. Finally, this study develops a new hospital-wide framework to be used by policymakers and healthcare managers when deciding what improvement strategies to follow to increase patient throughput at hospitals.
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Fast-Tracking Patients in an Academic Hospital to Increase Efficiency and Decrease Discharge Delays: A Process Improvement Plan. J Perianesth Nurs 2021; 36:615-621. [PMID: 34688537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if implementing a Phase II postanesthesia care unit (PACU II) to fast-track patients following surgery in an academic hospital would decrease OR hold times and increase patient flow efficiency. DESIGN An observational pre-post design was used to compare PACU bypass rates and recovery times for ambulatory surgery (AS) patients before and after implementation of a patient fast-tracking program. METHODS A PACU II was instituted and a fast-tracking program using the White Fast-Track Scoring tool was adopted. Nursing staff as well as anesthesia providers were educated to assess patients using the tool as well as the appropriate patient population to be transferred to the new PACU II. FINDINGS Following implementation of the new unit and the fast-tracking program, a PACU bypass rate of 30% was achieved and there was a significant decrease in PACU length of stay for AS patients. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that fast-tracking is a suitable intervention to decrease inefficiencies in an academic setting despite higher acuity patient populations.
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Mahant S, Hall M. Methodological Progress Note: Interrupted Time Series. J Hosp Med 2021; 16:364-367. [PMID: 34129489 DOI: 10.12788/jhm.3543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Mahant
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matthew Hall
- Research and Statistics, Children's Hospital Association, Lenexa, Kansas
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Improving Early Discharges With an Electronic Health Record Discharge Optimization Tool. Pediatr Qual Saf 2020; 5:e301. [PMID: 32607458 PMCID: PMC7297394 DOI: 10.1097/pq9.0000000000000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Delays in hospital discharge can negatively impact patient care, bed availability, and patient satisfaction. There are limited studies examining how the electronic health record (EHR) can be used to improve discharge timeliness. This study aimed to implement an EHR discharge optimization tool (DOT) successfully and achieve a discharge before noon (DBN) percentage of 25%. Methods: We conducted a single-center quality improvement study of patients discharged from 3 pediatric hospital medicine teaching service teams at a quaternary care academic children’s hospital. The multidisciplinary team created a DOT centrally embedded within the care team standard workflow to communicate anticipated time until discharge. The primary outcome was the monthly percentage of patients discharged before noon. Secondary outcomes included provider utilization of the DOT, tool accuracy, and patient length of stay. Balancing measures were 7- and 30-day readmission rates. Results: The DBN percentage increased from 16.4% to an average of 19.3% over the 13-month intervention period (P = 0.0005). DOT utilization was measured at 87.2%, and the overall accuracy of predicting time until discharge was 75.6% (P < 0.0001). Median length of stay declined from 1.75 to 1.68 days (P = 0.0033), and there was no negative impact on 7- or 30-day readmission rates. Conclusion: This initiative demonstrated that a highly utilized and accurate discharge tool could be created in the EHR to assist medical care teams with improving DBN percentage on busy, academic teaching services.
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Drose JA, Pritchard NL, Honce JM, Snuttjer DK, Borgstede JP. Utilizing Process Improvement Methodology to Improve Inpatient Access to MRI. Radiographics 2019; 39:2103-2110. [PMID: 31697626 DOI: 10.1148/rg.2019190043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Drose
- From the Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado Hospital, 12401 E 17th Ave, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Nancy L Pritchard
- From the Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado Hospital, 12401 E 17th Ave, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Justin M Honce
- From the Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado Hospital, 12401 E 17th Ave, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Denise K Snuttjer
- From the Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado Hospital, 12401 E 17th Ave, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, CO 80045
| | - James P Borgstede
- From the Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado Hospital, 12401 E 17th Ave, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, CO 80045
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Effectiveness of Implementing a Predischarge Order to Discharge Patients Before 11 a.m. J Healthc Qual 2019; 41:e77-e82. [DOI: 10.1097/jhq.0000000000000194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Kane ER, Fieldston E. Discharge by Noon: The Time Has Come for More Times to be the Right Time. J Hosp Med 2019; 14:63-64. [PMID: 30667411 DOI: 10.12788/jhm.3122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Kane
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. . edu
| | - Evan Fieldston
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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