SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Continuity in a World of Geography: A PDSA Model That Proved It

Pdf Summary

This quality improvement project at a tertiary academic center addressed poor continuity of care caused by geographic misalignment between resident admissions and inpatient bed placement. Using a single-center, multi-cycle PDSA model with 18 internal medicine residents, the team first identified a baseline unstructured admissions process that limited team ownership and patient-resident continuity.<br /><br />Four sequential interventions were implemented to improve workflow, accountability, and communication around admissions and bed placement. Monthly admissions and placement data were collected, and quarterly outcomes were analyzed using binomial logistic regression compared with baseline.<br /><br />The project found that a structured, multi-level PDSA approach significantly improved continuity. Geographic alignment of patients with their resident teams increased to 60%, representing a 56% higher odds of continuity than baseline (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.05–2.31; p=0.03). The improvement was linked to interventions that standardized the admissions process and strengthened collaboration among residents, faculty, administration, and the bed board.<br /><br />Overall, the study shows that inpatient continuity can be meaningfully improved within existing hospital systems through incremental process changes. The authors conclude that a coordinated PDSA strategy can enhance resident-patient continuity even in geographically complex inpatient settings.

Asset Subtitle

Rian Goding

Meta Tag

Author List Lalitha Ranga, Nicholas Scelzi, Rian Goding, Syed-Tayab Kirmani

Category Research

Concept Resident-Patient Continuity

Concept Misalignment

Concept PDSA Cycle

Concept Quality Improvement

Concept Inpatient Bed Placement

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Northwell, New Hyde Park, NY

Presenting Author Rian Goding

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

quality improvement

continuity of care

resident admissions

bed placement

PDSA cycle

inpatient continuity

geographic alignment

internal medicine residents

workflow standardization

hospital systems

Resident-Patient Continuity

Misalignment

PDSA Cycle

Quality Improvement

Inpatient Bed Placement