Critical care outreach – a meaningful evaluation

Abstract

Advances in medicine and changes in health care provision have resulted in increasingly innovative methods of delivering health care, such as the development of critical care outreach teams (CCOTs). These teams aim to respond to the needs of the critically ill patient, regardless of the patient's location within the acute hospital. The aim of this audit was to assess one aspect of the effectiveness of the Outreach team by examining the attitudes and opinions of the hospital clinical staff towards the outreach service provided. A questionnaire designed to investigate staff attitudes to and the use of the outreach team was sent to health professions staff at the acute hospital in which the outreach team was based. Anonymous responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and free text content analysis. One hundred questionnaires were returned (33% response rate) from staff of different professional backgrounds and departments. The results demonstrated a positive response from members of the multi-professional team, who believed that the CCOT was approachable and enhanced clinical care by providing help and advice, improving access to critical care services and facilitating development of critical care skills in clinical areas. In response to the findings, the number of hours per day in which the team operates has been increased. The findings demonstrated a belief by staff that the CCOT was instrumental in enhancing clinical care within the institution. While the findings of this audit are an informative addition to routine activity data, further studies are required to assess the acceptability of the service to patients and the impact of the service on patient outcomes.