SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Impact of Interprofessional Operation Center and Progression Care Rounds on Length of Stay

Pdf Summary

This project from Duke University School of Medicine’s Division of Hospital Medicine addressed prolonged hospital length of stay caused by delays in discharging medically ready patients, especially those with complex needs. The team identified key barriers such as socioeconomic and financial challenges, poor communication between teams, and lack of a structured discharge process. These delays negatively affected patient care, staff burnout, and hospital bed availability.<br /><br />To improve discharge coordination and throughput, the team launched two main interventions starting in August 2022. First, they implemented weekly progression care rounds via Zoom for patients with prolonged stays or identified discharge barriers. These rounds used a structured facilitator-led discussion and a real-time Excel visual management tool to track actions and follow-up. Second, they created a daily multidisciplinary operations center huddle held Monday through Friday to improve early identification, prioritization, and coordination of discharge barriers across departments.<br /><br />The interprofessional team included case management, utilization management, physical and occupational therapy, nursing, behavioral health, and a physician advisor to address insurance and physician communication issues. The project used A3 problem-solving methodology to guide implementation.<br /><br />Overall, the initiative aimed to mitigate discharge barriers in real time by strengthening interprofessional communication, care coordination, and visual management. The central conclusion was that a coordinated, structured, team-based approach can improve hospital length of stay for medically ready patients.

Asset Subtitle

Nadia H. Pasha

Meta Tag

Author List Aparna S. Kamath, Dawn S. Dolby, Diane Mitchell, Eliseu Y. Chuang, Nadia H. Pasha, Peter Berry, Shanika Upchurch-McBride, Tiffany Wilson

Category Innovations

Concept Interprofessional Operations Center

Concept Progression Care Rounds

Concept Discharge Coordination

Concept Discharge Barrier

Concept Length of Stay

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Duke University Health System

Presenting Author Nadia H. Pasha

Track Communication

Keywords

hospital length of stay

discharge coordination

medically ready patients

care rounds

multidisciplinary huddle

interprofessional communication

discharge barriers

visual management

A3 problem-solving

hospital throughput

Interprofessional Operations Center

Progression Care Rounds

Discharge Coordination

Discharge Barrier

Length of Stay