Improving Communication in the Medical Intensive Care Unit Through Standardization of Handoff Format: A Quality Improvement Project.

Objective: To decrease interruptions in handoff, increase compliance with a structured verbal handoff format, and increase compliance with handoff template completion in electronic medical records without increasing the length of handoff time. Patients and Methods: The project timeline was from April 1, 2019, to February 1, 2020. Define phase data were obtained through a survey of stakeholders to identify the gap in needs. The baseline data included components from the illness severity, patient summary, action list, situational awareness and contingency plans, and synthesis by receiver (IPASS) handoff tool because this tool best aligned with information identified in the define phase. Observational data were collected in person and reviewed via audio recording for accuracy. Results were analyzed to determine adherence to the chosen intervention, the IPASS handoff tool, on which the stakeholders were educated and assessed prior to implementation. Five plan-do-study-act cycles were completed over 3 months to optimize the intervention. Final data were collected and analyzed using the same method as baseline data. Results: After implementation of the IPASS handoff tool, there were more care plan components mentioned in the provider handoffs across all unique IPASS components, there were fewer observed distracting events, and there was increased compliance with electronic medical record handoff completion. The time of handover increased by 3 minutes. Conclusion: A standardized handoff tool improved communication during provider handoffs by increasing the mention of pertinent details and reducing distracting events during handoff.

Implementation of pulmonary ultrasound training for critical care advanced practice providers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The use of pulmonary ultrasound (US) in the critical care setting has been increasing over the past 2 decades. The use of advanced practice providers (APPs) in the critical care setting is also increasing. Limited data exist regarding the clinical and educational impact of a formal pulmonary US training course for APPs working in critical care settings. METHODS: A preimplementation and postimplementation comparative design focused on the development and implementation of a formal pulmonary US course for novice critical care APPs. CONCLUSIONS: Eleven APPs underwent formal pulmonary US training. There was a significant increase in pulmonary US knowledge after the course, with pretest median of 13 and posttest median of 22 (p < .001; maximum score = 23). Presurvey and postsurvey comparison showed overall increase in skill and clinical use of pulmonary US. After the course, participating APPs reported a greater frequency of clinical decision-making based on US examination as measured by presurvey and postsurvey results. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Implementation of a formal pulmonary US course for critical care APPs improved pulmonary US knowledge, skill, and utilization, and impacted clinical decision-making and should be a highly recommended addition to the practice setting.

Implementing Family Meetings Into a Respiratory Care Unit: A Care and Communication Quality Improvement Project.

BACKGROUND: Substantial evidence in critical care literature identifies a lack of quality and quantity of communication between patients, families, and clinicians while in the intensive care unit. Barriers include time, multiple caregivers, communication skills, culture, language, stress, and optimal meeting space. For patients who are chronically critically ill, the need for a structured method of communication is paramount for discussion of goals of care. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this quality improvement project was to identify barriers to communication, then develop, implement, and evaluate a process for semistructured family meetings in a 9-bed respiratory care unit. METHODS: Using set dates and times, family meetings were offered to patients and families admitted to the respiratory care unit. Multiple avenues of communication were utilized to facilitate attendance. Utilizing evidence-based family meeting literature, a guide for family meetings was developed. Templates were developed for documentation of the family meeting in the electronic medical record. RESULTS: Multiple communication barriers were identified. Frequency of family meeting occurrence rose from 31% to 88%. Staff satisfaction with meeting frequency, meeting length, and discussion of congruent goals of care between patient/family and health care providers improved. Patient/family satisfaction with consistency of message between team members; understanding of medications, tests, and dismissal plan; and efficacy to address their concerns with the medical team improved. DISCUSSION: This quality improvement project was implemented to address the communication gap in the care of complex patients who require prolonged hospitalizations. By identifying this need, engaging stakeholders, and developing a family meeting plan to meet to address these needs, communication between all members of the patient's care team has improved.

Use of a Modified Frazier Water Protocol in Critical Illness Survivors With Pulmonary Compromise and Dysphagia: A Pilot Study.

Limited information is available regarding use of the Frazier free water protocol (FWP) with hospitalized patients who have dysphagia and have survived a critical illness with compromised pulmonary status. This pilot study used a two-group nonequivalent comparison group design to evaluate the FWP in 15 adults admitted to a respiratory care unit (RCU) with dysphagia concerns. Inclusion criteria included recommendation for a modified diet with thickened liquids by a dysphagia therapist and ability to follow the specific free water guidelines. The 15 control participants were chosen from a retrospective chart review of consecutive RCU admissions that met the same inclusion criteria. The intervention group for whom the free water guidelines were implemented did not differ significantly from the control group in rate of development of aspiration pneumonia, χ²(30) = .01, p = 1.00.