SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Policy Development Defining Backup Coverage for Providers With Emergent Needs

Pdf Summary

The document describes development and pilot testing of an <strong>Emergency Coverage Provider (ECP)</strong> policy for hospital medicine teams to address short-term, emergent situations that prevent clinicians from providing patient care.

<h3>Problem and Purpose</h3>
Current coverage systems did not adequately handle sudden issues such as illness, urgent medical appointments, family emergencies, or rapid response events. Providers were often forced to find a colleague themselves, which added stress and disrupted schedules. The goal was to create a system that could provide immediate, temporary support with minimal added staffing burden.

<h3>Planning and Implementation</h3>
A task force with key stakeholders and diverse provider representation explored several coverage models. The final approach assigned ECP duties to the daytime admitting shift, with backup from a lower-acuity service physician and off-hours support as needed. The policy defined:
- <strong>Temporary coverage</strong> for providers expected to return to shift
- <strong>Full shift coverage</strong> for providers who would not return
- <strong>Pager cross-coverage</strong> or PRN bedside support
- Temporary cross-coverage only, not routine rounding or note-writing

<h3>Results</h3>
The pilot ran from September 2023 to February 2024. Feedback was gathered anonymously from both users and ECPs. Usage was highest in the first month and then declined. In 14% of activations, the ECP paused their own duties for direct patient care during a rapid response event. No activation caused staff to stay beyond their scheduled shift. The program was formally adopted in February 2024.

<h3>Conclusions</h3>
Providers reported that the ECP helped them manage health problems and attend urgent appointments without needing to call off. Although use was higher than expected, the actual workload burden on the ECP role was small. Further evaluation will assess effects on standard backup systems and whether the program strengthens supportive culture within the hospitalist group.

Asset Subtitle

Nicole Bendin

Meta Tag

Author List Bridget McGrath, Ethan Molitch-Hou, Matthew Cerasale, Nicole Bendin

Category Innovations

Concept Emergency Coverage Provider ECP

Concept Provider Coverage

Concept Emergent Need

Concept Temporary Coverage

Concept Full-Shift Coverage

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Chicago

Presenting Author Nicole Bendin

Track Other

Keywords

Emergency Coverage Provider

hospital medicine

temporary coverage

cross-coverage

pilot testing

rapid response

provider support

shift coverage

hospitalist policy

staffing model

Emergency Coverage Provider ECP

Provider Coverage

Emergent Need

Temporary Coverage

Full-Shift Coverage