SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Who Are All These People in My Room? Improving Patient Identification of Care Providers Through a Visual Aid

Pdf Summary

The document describes a quality-improvement project aimed at improving patient identification of care providers in the hospital, especially in the emergency department and during transitions between teams and floors. Patients often encounter many new faces—residents, attendings, nurses, PCAs, consultants, and ancillary staff—which can create confusion, reduce satisfaction, waste time when questions are directed to the wrong person, and even pose safety risks if important information is not shared with the correct provider.<br /><br />To address this, the team developed an infographic for patients that explains the different roles on their care team and includes a glossary on the back with short descriptions of each role. A brief 11-question survey was given before and after patients reviewed the infographic to assess its usefulness. Based on patient feedback, the team planned revisions to make the infographic clearer and more useful.<br /><br />Key patient suggestions included distributing the infographic to all patients, providing it earlier in the hospitalization process, and giving it to family members as well. Patients also recommended adding a “plan for the day” section, including more roles such as PCAs, separating social workers from case managers, and listing specialty teams like cardiology, GI, and neurology to help patients distinguish among providers.<br /><br />Next steps include revising the infographic and survey based on feedback, applying for funding to print the materials in color and laminate them, and distributing them more broadly, such as in welcome packets. The project was supported by previous and current residents who contributed to its development.

Asset Subtitle

Xinmiao Yang

Meta Tag

Author List Jaewon Lee, Jenna Barnes, Meghna Trivedi, Nneka Onwubueke, Olivia Raymond, Sophie Wieselquist, Xinmiao Yang

Category Innovations

Concept Infographic

Concept Patient Identification

Concept Care Provider

Concept Hospitalization

Concept Patient Safety

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization UMass

Presenting Author Xinmiao Yang

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

patient identification

care providers

hospital communication

emergency department

care transitions

patient infographic

role glossary

patient satisfaction

quality improvement

provider roles

Infographic

Patient Identification

Care Provider

Hospitalization

Patient Safety