SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Bridging the Night Shift Gap: A Pilot Study on Physician-Nursing communication

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This pilot study evaluated whether simple communication changes could improve night-shift collaboration between nocturnists and nurses at a tertiary academic hospital. From July to October 2024, the team surveyed nurses and nocturnists before and after an intervention in which nocturnists either called charge nurses or conducted brief “walk rounds” around 9 PM. During these rounds, they identified patients at risk for deterioration, such as those with worsening respiratory status, sepsis alerts, or hypotension, and reviewed outstanding orders and expiring medications.<br /><br />Before the intervention, many participants reported communication problems. About 53% of nocturnists were dissatisfied with existing communication, citing delayed responses and difficulty identifying the covering nurse. Around half reported only moderate awareness of unstable patients. Among nurses, two-thirds felt physician response times needed improvement, and 58% had trouble knowing who the covering providers were.<br /><br />After the intervention, 90% of physicians felt the pilot improved communication, although 61% found it time-consuming. In contrast, 70% of nurses were satisfied with physician communication, 94% did not find the intervention time-consuming, and 97% wanted it continued.<br /><br />An objective measure also suggested improvement: rapid response team (RRT) calls dropped from about 41 per month before the pilot to 22 during the intervention month, then rose back to 43 afterward. Although the authors note this could reflect a secular trend, the results suggest that small workflow changes may help night physicians and nursing staff communicate better and identify deteriorating patients earlier. A second phase is planned to further improve early intervention and patient safety.

Asset Subtitle

Aayah Fatayerji

Meta Tag

Author List Aayah Fatayerji, Gregory B. Seymann, Lobna Shahatto, Reid Sasaki, Vineet Gupta

Category Research

Concept Pilot Study

Concept Physician-Nursing Communication

Concept Intervention

Concept Rapid Response Team

Concept Night Shift

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Ucsd

Presenting Author Aayah Fatayerji

Track Communication

Keywords

night-shift collaboration

nocturnists

nurses

communication intervention

walk rounds

charge nurse calls

patient deterioration

rapid response team

patient safety

academic hospital

Pilot Study

Physician-Nursing Communication

Intervention

Rapid Response Team

Night Shift