An Implementation Science Approach to Handoff Redesign in a Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: The ability of handoff redesign to improve short-term outcomes is well established, yet an effective approach for achieving widespread adoption is unknown. An implementation science-based approach capable of influencing the leading indicators of widespread adoption was used to redesign handoffs from the cardiac operating room to the intensive care unit. METHODS: A transdisciplinary, unit-based team used a 12-step implementation process. The steps were divided into 4 phases: planning, engaging, executing, and evaluating. Based on unit-determined best practices, a "handoff bundle" was designed. This included team training, structured education with video illustration, and cognitive aids. Fidelity and acceptability were measured before, during, and after the handoff bundle was deployed. RESULTS: Redesign and implementation of the handoff process occurred over 12 months. Multiple rapid-cycle process improvements led to reductions in the handoff duration from 12.6 minutes to 10.7 minutes (P < .014). Fidelity to unit-determined handoff best practices was assessed based on a sample of the cardiac surgery population preimplantation and postimplementation. Twenty-three handoff best practices (information and tasks) demonstrated improvements compared with the preimplementation period. Provider satisfaction scores 2.5 years after implementation remained high compared with the redesign phase (87 vs. 84; P = .133). CONCLUSIONS: The use of an implementation-based approach for handoff redesign can be effective for improving the leading indicators of successful adoption of a structured handoff process. Future quality improvement studies addressing sustainability and widespread adoption of this approach appear to be warranted, and should include the relationships to improved care coordination and reduced preventable medical errors.

The impact of cardiac dysfunction on acute respiratory distress syndrome and mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis and septic shock: an observational study.

PURPOSE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity in survivors. Treatment is only supportive, therefore elucidating modifiable factors that could prevent ARDS could have a profound impact on outcome. The impact that sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction has on ARDS is not known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective observational cohort study of mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, 122 patients were assessed for the impact of sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction on incidence of ARDS (primary outcome) and mortality. RESULTS: Sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction occurred in 44 patients (36.1%). There was no association of sepsis-associated cardiac dysfunction with ARDS incidence (p= 0.59) or mortality, and no association with outcomes in patients that did progress to ARDS after admission. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that higher BMI was associated with progression to ARDS (adjusted OR 11.84, 95% CI 1.24 to 113.0, p= 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac dysfunction in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis did not impact ARDS incidence, clinical outcome in ARDS patients, or mortality. This contrasts against previous investigations demonstrating an influence of nonpulmonary organ dysfunction on outcome in ARDS. Given the frequency of ARDS as a sequela of sepsis, the impact of cardiac dysfunction on outcome should be further studied.