Improving Patient Safety Through Provider Communication Strategy Enhancements

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive provider/team communication strategy, resulting in a toolkit generalizable to other settings of care. The specific aims included implementation of a structured communication tool; a standardized escalation process; daily multidisciplinary patient-centered rounds using a daily goals sheet; and team huddles. The study setting was the 477-bed medical center of the Denver Health and Hospital Authority, an integrated, urban safety-net system. Utilizing a pre-test/post-test design, baseline and post-intervention data were collected on pilot units (medical intensive care unit, acute care unit, and inpatient behavioral health units). Analysis of 495 communication events after toolkit implementation revealed decreased time to treatment, increased nurse satisfaction with communication, and higher rates of resolution of patient issues post-intervention. The resultant toolkit provides health care organizations with the means to implement teamwork and communication strategies in their own settings.