SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Rounds Redesign: Our Experience in Splitting Interdisciplinary Rounds

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This project describes a redesign of interdisciplinary hospital rounds during COVID-related surge and staffing shortages. The goal was to improve throughput, strengthen frontline teamwork, and maintain effective patient communication while reducing the time spent in rounds.<br /><br />The team split rounds into two parts using the IHI PDSA model. First, interdisciplinary disposition rounds brought together the physician, nursing coordinator, physical therapist, and case management to focus on same-day or next-day discharges and assign ownership of discharge barriers, such as transportation or facility placement. Second, clinical rounds included the physician, primary nurse, and pharmacist and centered on reviewing an EPIC-generated Safety Board with key patient safety and clinical information.<br /><br />Outcomes tracked included median discharge time, percent of patients discharged on the day identified, patient experience, Foley and central line use, and rates of CLABSI and CAUTI. After patient experience scores showed room for improvement, the team added afternoon physician rounds for discharging patients.<br /><br />Results showed a median discharge time improvement of 1 hour and 10 minutes, with more than 80% of patients discharged on the day identified. There was a slight downward trend in central line days, but no significant reduction in Foley catheter use. One CAUTI occurred early in the project, and no CLABSI cases were identified. Patient experience improved significantly after afternoon discharge rounds were introduced.<br /><br />Overall, the redesigned rounding process improved discharge efficiency and helped address barriers more quickly. The authors also noted better team communication, though some physician redundancy and occasional communication gaps with nursing remained. Future efforts will focus on measuring teamwork more formally and improving catheter utilization.

Asset Subtitle

Marina Kovacevic

Meta Tag

Author List Alya Ahsan, Marina Kovacevic, Sang Woo

Category Innovations

Concept Interdisciplinary Rounds

Concept Staffing Shortage

Concept Throughput

Concept Communication

Concept Discharge Planning

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Chicago- Endeavor Health

Presenting Author Marina Kovacevic

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

interdisciplinary rounds

hospital discharge

COVID-19 surge

staffing shortages

patient throughput

team communication

PDSA model

Safety Board

patient experience

catheter utilization

Interdisciplinary Rounds

Staffing Shortage

Throughput

Communication

Discharge Planning