SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Enhancement of Early Discharges Through a Structured Early Morning Huddle

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This study evaluated whether a structured early morning hospitalist huddle could improve early discharges and reduce hospital congestion after COVID-19 strained bed capacity and emergency department flow.<br /><br />A quasi-experimental intervention was implemented at a tertiary care center using a daily 15-minute virtual huddle at 7:15 AM. The medical director opened with a brief overview of daily priorities, including emergency department boarders and recognition of prior work. Hospitalists then reported on three key points: potential early discharges without barriers, discharges delayed by pending tests or consultations, and issues involving resource allocation, consult delays, or placement problems. A hospital resource nurse tracked these details in an Excel spreadsheet and shared them with nursing units, case managers, and managers so barriers could be addressed quickly.<br /><br />The main outcomes were the percentage of discharge orders placed before 10 AM and 11 AM, and the percentage of patients physically leaving the hospital before noon.<br /><br />Results showed meaningful improvement after implementation of the huddle:<br />- Discharge orders before 10 AM increased from 12% to 25%<br />- Discharge orders before 11 AM increased from 24% to 38%<br />- Patients leaving before noon increased from 12% to 20%<br /><br />Early feedback from hospitalists, nurses, and case managers also suggested better collaboration, communication, and a more unified plan of care.<br /><br />The study concluded that a structured early morning huddle can significantly increase early discharges, improve bed availability, and potentially reduce emergency department boarding. However, the findings are limited by the single-center design, and the study did not assess broader patient outcomes or economic effects.

Asset Subtitle

Venkatrao Medarametla

Meta Tag

Author List Judy Richardson, Lalitha Devi Guntupalli, Muhammad Umar, Venkatrao Medarametla

Category Innovations

Concept Congestion

Concept Early Discharge

Concept Hospital Bed Capacity

Concept Emergency Department Boarding

Concept Huddle

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Baystate Health

Presenting Author Venkatrao Medarametla

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

early discharge

hospitalist huddle

bed capacity

emergency department flow

quasi-experimental study

virtual huddle

discharge orders

hospital congestion

care coordination

COVID-19

Congestion

Early Discharge

Hospital Bed Capacity

Emergency Department Boarding

Huddle