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Hiller M, Burisch C, Wittmann M, Bracht H, Kaltwasser A, Bakker J. The current state of intensive care unit discharge practices - Results of an international survey study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1377902. [PMID: 38774398 PMCID: PMC11106471 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1377902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing pressure on limited intensive care capacities often requires a subjective assessment of a patient's discharge readiness in the absence of established Admission, Discharge, and Transfer (ADT) guidelines. To avoid suboptimal care transitions, it is important to define clear guidelines for the admission and discharge of intensive care patients and to optimize transfer processes between the intensive care unit (ICU) and lower care levels. To achieve these goals, structured insights into usual ICU discharge and transfer practices are essential. This study aimed to generate these insights by focusing on involved stakeholders, established processes, discharge criteria and tools, relevant performance metrics, and current barriers to a timely and safe discharge. Method In 2022, a structured, web-based, anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted, aimed at practicing ICU physicians, nurses, and bed coordinators. The survey consisted of 29 questions (open, closed, multiple choice, and scales) that were divided into thematic blocks. The study was supported by several national and international societies for intensive care medicine and nursing. Results A total of 219 participants from 40 countries (105 from Germany) participated in the survey. An overload of acute care resources with ~90% capacity utilization in the ICU and the general ward (GW) leads to not only premature but also delayed patient transfers due to a lack of available ward and intermediate care (IMC) beds. After multidisciplinary rounds within the intensive care team, the ICU clinician on duty usually makes the final transfer decision, while one-third of the panel coordinates discharge decisions across departmental boundaries. By the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, half of the hospitals had implemented ADT policies. Among these hospitals, nearly one-third of the hospitals had specific transfer criteria established, consisting primarily of vital signs and laboratory data, patient status and autonomy, and organization-specific criteria. Liaison nurses were less common but were ranked right after the required IMC capacities to bridge the care gap between the ICU and normal wards. In this study, 80% of the participants suggested that transfer planning would be easier if there was good transparency regarding the capacity utilization of lower care levels, a standardized transfer process, and improved interdisciplinary communication. Conclusion To improve care transitions, transfer processes should be managed proactively across departments, and efforts should be made to identify and address care gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Hiller
- Department of Intensive Care Adults, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Hospital Patient Monitoring, Philips Medizin Systeme Böblingen GmbH, Böblingen, Germany
| | - Christian Burisch
- Regional Government Düsseldorf, State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maria Wittmann
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hendrik Bracht
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Transfusion Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Bielefeld Bethel, Campus Bielefeld-Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Arnold Kaltwasser
- Academy of the District Hospitals Reutlingen, Kreiskliniken Reutlingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Jan Bakker
- Department of Intensive Care Adults, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- New York University School of Medicine and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Intensive Care, Pontifcia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
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Development of a Shifting and Receiving Performa for ICU Patients: Reducing Communication Errors-A Delphi Study. Crit Care Nurs Q 2023; 46:185-191. [PMID: 36823745 DOI: 10.1097/cnq.0000000000000451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Critically ill patients are frequently transported between intensive care units (ICUs) and other sections of hospital, which may cause communication error. The aim of this study was to reduce errors while shifting and receiving of patients in and from the ICU. The present study was aimed to develop a Shifting and Receiving Performa for the patients admitted in the ICU of a tertiary care hospital. A multistage developmental study was conducted in ICUs. Eleven experts were selected by a purposive sampling technique, and the study was conducted in 4 phases. From the pool of items, a preliminary draft of the performa was prepared and the draft was given to experts to evaluate its content and face validity by conducting 2 Delphi rounds. The mean I-CVI of the shifting performa increased from 0.92 to 0.95, S-CVI/AVG exceeded from 0.88 to 0.96, and S-CVI/UA exceeded from 0.48 to 0.7 after Delphi round 2. In the case of the receiving performa, the mean I-CVI and S-CVI/AVG remained the same, that is, 0.98 in Delphi rounds 1 and 2. The mean S-CVI/UA also remained the same (ie, 0.9). The interrater reliability of the performa was found to be 0.95. Almost all the staff nurses found the performa to be beneficial, provided complete information, and reduced communication errors.
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Asking "Meaning Questions" in Evidence-Based Reviews and the Utility of Qualitative Findings in Practice. Dimens Crit Care Nurs 2021; 40:288-294. [PMID: 34398565 DOI: 10.1097/dcc.0000000000000488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence-based practice (EBP) systematic reviews are mostly conducted using etiology, diagnosis, therapy, prevention, and prognosis question format. "Meaning" or qualitative questions are very rarely used. The purpose of this article is to discuss qualitative findings' contribution to EBP through asking "meaning questions" in conducting systematic reviews and the utilization of the results to practice. Two EBP systematic review exemplars using meaning questions including the relevance and utilization of qualitative findings in health care decision-making, practice, and policy are presented. There is a need to instill an evidence-based mindset into systematic reviews that balance scientific knowledge gained through empirical research and evidence from qualitative studies. This is turn will increase awareness among clinicians and decision makers on the different ways in which qualitative evidence can be used and applied in practice.
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Lee EY, Park JH. A phenomenological study on the experiences of patient transfer from the intensive care unit to general wards. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254316. [PMID: 34234351 PMCID: PMC8263304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to derive an in-depth understanding of the transfer experience of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in South Korea through a phenomenological analysis. Methods Participants were 15 adult patients who were admitted to a medical or surgical ICU at a university hospital for more than 48 hours before being transferred to a general ward. Data were collected three to five days after their transfer to the general ward from January to December 2017 through individual in-depth interviews and were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological data analysis method, phenomenological reduction, intersubjective reduction, and hermeneutic circle. Data analysis yielded eight themes and four theme clusters related to the unique experiences of domestic ICU patients in the process of transfer to the general ward. Results The four main themes of the patients’ transfer experiences were “hope amid despair,” “gratitude for being alive,” “recovery from suffering,” and “seeking a return to normality.” Conclusion Our findings expand the realistic and holistic understanding from the patient’s perspective. This study’s findings can contribute to the development of appropriate nursing interventions that can support preparation and adaptation to the transfer of ICU patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Young Lee
- Department of Nursing, Shinsung University, Ajou University College of Nursing, Dangjin, South Korea
| | - Jin-Hee Park
- College of Nursing Research Institute of Nursing Science, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea
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Temsah MH, Al-Sohime F, Alhaboob A, Al-Eyadhy A, Aljamaan F, Hasan G, Ali S, Ashri A, Nahass AA, Al-Barrak R, Temsah O, Alhasan K, Jamal AA. Adverse events experienced with intrahospital transfer of critically ill patients: A national survey. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25810. [PMID: 33950984 PMCID: PMC8104182 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Research that focuses on transfers to and from the intensive care unit (ICU) could highlight important patients' safety issues. This study aims to describe healthcare workers' (HCWs) practices involved in patient transfers to or from the ICU.This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs during the Saudi Critical Care Society's annual International Conference, April 2017. Responses were assessed using Likert scales and frequencies. Bivariate analysis was used to evaluate the significance of different indicators.Overall, 312 HCWs participated in this study. Regarding transfer to ICUs, the most frequently reported complications were deterioration in respiratory status (51.4%), followed by deterioration in hemodynamic status (46.5%), and missing clinical information (35.5%). Regarding transfers from ICUs to the general ward, the most commonly reported complications were changes in respiratory status (55.6%), followed by incomplete clinical information (37.9%), and change in hemodynamic conditions (29%). The most-used models for communicating transfers were written documents in electronic health records (69.3%) and verbal communication (62.8%). One-fourth of the respondents were not aware of the Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) method of patients' handover. Pearson's test of correlation showed that the HCW's perceived satisfaction with their hospital transfer guidelines showed significant negative correlation with their reported transfer-related complications (r = -0.27, P < .010).Hemodynamic and respiratory status deterioration is representing significant adverse events among patients transferred to or from the ICU. Factors controlling the perceived satisfaction of HCWs involved in patients, transfer to and from the ICU need to be addressed, focusing on their compliance to the hospital-wide transfer and handover policies. Quality improvement initiatives could improve patient safety to transfer patients to and from the ICU and minimize the associated adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad-Hani Temsah
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department
| | - Fahad Al-Sohime
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department
| | - Ali Alhaboob
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department
| | - Ayman Al-Eyadhy
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department
| | - Fadi Aljamaan
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh
- Critical Care Department, King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal Hasan
- Assiut Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Salma Ali
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department
| | - Ahmed Ashri
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Department
| | | | | | | | | | - Amr A. Jamal
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh
- Family & Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical City
- Evidence-Based Health Care & Knowledge Translation Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Ghorbanzadeh K, Ebadi A, Hosseini M, Madah SSB, Khankeh H. Challenges of the patient transition process from the intensive care unit: a qualitative study. Acute Crit Care 2021; 36:133-142. [PMID: 33508186 PMCID: PMC8182156 DOI: 10.4266/acc.2020.00626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The transition of patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the general ward is challenging. This study aimed to explain the challenges that patients face during the transition process. Methods In this qualitative research of conventional content analysis, data collection was conducted between February 2018 and July 2019 in educational hospitals. After obtaining informed consent, purposive sampling was performed with 22 nurses, intensive care physicians, anesthesiologists, and patients and their families using in-depth semi-structured interviews until data saturation. Results The content analysis yielded three main themes in the challenges patients face during the transition process from the ICU: mixed feelings regarding transition (happiness/hope, worry/uncertainty, abandonment); care break (different atmosphere, the difference between the program and the quality of care, assigning care to the patient and family, and care culture and beliefs); and search for support and information (ineffective communication, self-care capacity of patient and family, ineffective and disrupted training, and weak follow-up programs), which inflicts care shock in the patients. Conclusions The results showed that patients and their families were in a state of care shock during the ICU transition process and were sometimes disconcerted. It is necessary to design and implement care models according to the needs and challenges patients face during the transition period from ICU (patient-centered), based on the evidence available, and after considering the field of medicine and the accessibility of care in the country. The transition process can be improved and enhanced by obtaining knowledge about ICU care and related challenges as well as organizing a learning environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kobra Ghorbanzadeh
- Ph.D. Candidate in Nursing, Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Nursing, Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences, Khalkhal, Iran
| | - Abbas Ebadi
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Lifestyle Institute, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadali Hosseini
- Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hamidreza Khankeh
- Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Won MH, Son YJ. Development and psychometric evaluation of the Relocation Stress Syndrome Scale-Short Form for patients transferred from adult intensive care units to general wards. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2020; 58:102800. [DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2020.102800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Boyd JM, Roberts DJ, Parsons Leigh J, Stelfox HT. Administrator Perspectives on ICU-to-Ward Transfers and Content Contained in Existing Transfer Tools: a Cross-sectional Survey. J Gen Intern Med 2018; 33:1738-1745. [PMID: 30051330 PMCID: PMC6153252 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-018-4590-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transfer of critically ill patients from the intensive care unit (ICU) to hospital ward is challenging. Shortcomings in the delivery of care for patients transferred from the ICU have been associated with higher healthcare costs and poor satisfaction with care. Little is known about how hospital ward providers, who accept care of these patients, perceive current transfer practices nor which aspects of transfer they perceive as needing improvement. OBJECTIVE To compare ICU and ward administrator perspectives regarding ICU-to-ward transfer practices and evaluate the content of transfer tools. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey design. PARTICIPANTS We administered a survey to 128 medical and/or surgical ICU and 256 ward administrators to obtain institutional perspectives on ICU transfer practices. We performed qualitative content analysis on ICU transfer tools received from respondents. KEY RESULTS In total, 108 (77%) ICU and 160 (63%) ward administrators responded to the survey. The ICU attending physician was reported to be "primarily responsible" for the safety (93% vs. 91%; p = 0.515) of patient transfers. ICU administrators more commonly perceived discharge summaries to be routinely included in patient transfers than ward administrators (81% vs. 60%; p = 0.006). Both groups identified information provided to patients/families, patient/family participation during transfer, and ICU-ward collaboration as opportunities for improvement. A minority of hospitals used ICU-to-ward transfer tools (11%) of which most (n = 21 unique) were designed to communicate patient information between providers (71%) and comprised six categories of information: demographics, patient clinical course, corrective aids, mobility at discharge, review of systems, and documentation of transfer procedures. CONCLUSION ICU and ward administrators have similar perspectives of transfer practices and identified patient/family engagement and communication as priorities for improvement. Key information categories exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie M Boyd
- Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Derek J Roberts
- Department of Surgery, University of Calgary and the Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeanna Parsons Leigh
- Departments of Critical Care Medicine, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Henry Thomas Stelfox
- Departments of Critical Care Medicine, Medicine and Community Health Sciences, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services - Calgary Zone, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Rosenberg A, Britton MC, Feder S, Minges K, Hodshon B, Chaudhry SI, Jenq GY, Emerson BL. A taxonomy and cultural analysis of intra-hospital patient transfers. Res Nurs Health 2018; 41:10.1002/nur.21875. [PMID: 29722043 PMCID: PMC8459627 DOI: 10.1002/nur.21875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Existing research on intra-hospital patient transitions focuses chiefly on handoffs, or exchanges of information, between clinicians. Less is known about patient transfers within hospitals, which include but extend beyond the exchange of information. Using participant observations and interviews at a 1,541-bed, academic, tertiary medical center, we explored the ways in which staff define and understand patient transfers between units. We conducted observations of staff (n = 16) working in four hospital departments and interviewed staff (n = 29) involved in transfers to general medicine floors from either the Emergency Department or the Medical Intensive Care Unit between February and September 2015. The collected data allowed us to understand transfers in the context of several hospital cultural microsystems. Decisions were made through the lens of the specific unit identity to which staff felt they belonged; staff actively strategized to manage workload; and empty beds were treated as a scarce commodity. Staff concepts informed the development of a taxonomy of intra-hospital transfers that includes five categories of activity: disposition, or determining the right floor and bed for the patient; notification to sending and receiving staff of patient assignment, departure and arrival; preparation to send and receive the patient; communication between sending and receiving units; and coordination to ensure that transfer components occur in a timely and seamless manner. This taxonomy widens the study of intra-hospital patient transfers from a communication activity to a complex cultural phenomenon with several categories of activity and views them as part of multidimensional hospital culture, as constructed and understood by staff.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Karl Minges
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | | | - Grace Y. Jenq
- University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Brown KN, Leigh JP, Kamran H, Bagshaw SM, Fowler RA, Dodek PM, Turgeon AF, Forster AJ, Lamontagne F, Soo A, Stelfox HT. Transfers from intensive care unit to hospital ward: a multicentre textual analysis of physician progress notes. Crit Care 2018; 22:19. [PMID: 29374498 PMCID: PMC5787341 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-018-1941-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about documentation during transitions of patient care between clinical specialties. Therefore, we examined the focus, structure and purpose of physician progress notes for patients transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU) to hospital ward to identify opportunities to improve communication breaks. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study in ten Canadian hospitals. We analyzed physician progress notes for consenting adult patients transferred from a medical-surgical ICU to hospital ward. The number, length, legibility and content of notes was counted and compared across care settings using mixed-effects linear regression models accounting for clustering within hospitals. Qualitative content analyses were conducted on a stratified random sample of 32 patients. RESULTS A total of 447 patient medical records that included 7052 progress notes (mean 2.1 notes/patient/day 95% CI 1.9-2.3) were analyzed. Notes written by the ICU team were significantly longer than notes written by the ward team (mean lines of text 21 vs. 15, p < 0.001). There was a discrepancy between documentation of patient issues in the last ICU and first ward notes; mean agreement of patient issues was 42% [95% CI 31-53%]. Qualitative analyses identified eight themes related to focus (central point - e.g., problem list), structure (organization, - e.g., note-taking style), and purpose (intention - e.g., documentation of patient course) of the notes that varied across clinical specialties and physician seniority. CONCLUSIONS Important gaps and variations in written documentation during transitions of patient care between ICU and hospital ward physicians are common, and include discrepancies in documentation of patient information.
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A multi-center prospective cohort study of patient transfers from the intensive care unit to the hospital ward. Intensive Care Med 2017; 43:1485-1494. [PMID: 28852789 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-017-4910-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide a 360-degree description of ICU-to-ward transfers. METHODS Prospective cohort study of 451 adults transferred from a medical-surgical ICU to a hospital ward in 10 Canadian hospitals July 2014-January 2016. Transfer processes documented in the medical record. Patient (or delegate) and provider (ICU/ward physician/nurse) perspectives solicited by survey 24-72 h after transfer. RESULTS Medical records (100%) and survey responses (ICU physicians-80%, ICU nurses-80%, ward physicians-46%, ward nurses-64%, patients-74%) were available for most transfers. The median time from initiation to completion of transfer was 25 h (IQR 6-52). ICU physicians and nurses reported communicating with counterparts via telephone (78 and 75%) when transfer was requested (82 and 24%) or accepted (31 and 59%) and providing more elements of clinical information than ward physicians (mean 4.7 vs. 3.9, p < 0.001) and nurses (5.0 vs. 4.4, p < 0.001) reported receiving. Patients were more likely to report satisfaction with the transfer when they received more information (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18-1.48), had their questions addressed (OR 3.96, 95% CI 1.33-11.84), met the ward physician prior to transfer (OR 4.61, 95% CI 2.90-7.33), and were assessed by a nurse within 1 h of ward arrival (OR 4.70, 95% CI 2.29-9.66). Recommendations for improvement included having a documented care plan travel with the patient (all stakeholders), standardized face-to-face handover (physicians), avoiding transfers at shift change (nurses) and informing patients about pending transfers in advance (patients). CONCLUSIONS ICU-to-ward transfers are characterized by failures of patient flow and communication; experienced differently by patients, ICU/ward physicians and nurses, with distinct suggestions for improvement.
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Parsons Leigh J, Brown K, Buchner D, Stelfox HT. Protocol to describe the analysis of text-based communication in medical records for patients discharged from intensive care to hospital ward. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e012200. [PMID: 27401367 PMCID: PMC4947755 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Effective communication during hospital transitions of patient care is fundamental to ensuring patient safety and continuity of quality care. This study will describe text-based communication included in patient medical records before, during and after patient transfer from the intensive care unit (ICU) to a hospital ward (n=10 days) by documenting (1) the structure and focus of physician progress notes within and between medical specialties, (2) the organisation of subjective and objective information, including the location and accessibility of patient data and whether/how this changes during the hospital stay and (3) missing, illegible and erroneous information. METHODS This study is part of a larger mixed methods prospective observational study of ICU to hospital ward transfer practices in 10 ICUs across Canada. Medical records will be collected and photocopied for each consenting patient for a period of up to 10 consecutive days, including the final 2 days in the ICU, the day of transfer and the first 7 days on the ward (n=10 days). Textual analysis of medical record data will be completed by 2 independent reviewers to describe communication between stakeholders involved in ICU transfer. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Research ethics board approval has been obtained at all study sites, including the coordinating study centre (which covers 4 Calgary-based sites; UofC REB 13-0021) and 6 additional study sites (UofA Pro00050646; UBC PHC Hi4-01667; Sunnybrook 336-2014; QCH 20140345-01H; Sherbrooke 14-172; Laval 2015-2171). Findings from this study will inform the development of an evidence-based tool that will be used to systematically analyse the series of notes in a patient's medical record.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanna Parsons Leigh
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kyla Brown
- W21C Research and Innovation Centre, Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Denise Buchner
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Henry T Stelfox
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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