Communication

Improve legibility of clinical notes on surgical wards (2023)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Service improvement case study

Author(s):
*Fraser Morgan

Citation:
SaTH Improvement Hub, May 2023

Abstract:
To reduce the incidence of Nurses on Wards 33 and 37 having to clarify plans with Doctors when following written notes by 10% by 25 April 2023.

Link to PDF poster [no password required]

Reducing intra-hospital telephone communication time using app technology (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Hamid M.

Citation:
BMJ Leader. Conference: Leaders in Healthcare Conference 2020. Virtual. 4(Supplement 1) (pp A42), 2020. Date of Publication: November 2020.

Abstract:
Background Lengthy switchboard waiting times result in delayed communication between healthcare professionals in a hospital. Wasted time impedes patient care, costs the Trust a substantial financial sum and impacts healthcare professional's morale. Aim(s): To reduce intra-hospital telecommunication time utilising the Induction phone application, an easy to use, regularly updated telephone directory. Method(s): Initial audit: Five chosen specialities were contacted between 9-10 AM from the Emergency department for 2 consecutive weeks. The time taken to reach each speciality via switchboard was recorded. A survey seeking the number of calls made per day, the preferred method of contact and the feelings associated with telephone waiting times was sent to department doctors. PDSA cycle 1: One-month application advertisement and re-audit. PDSA2: Eye-catching tele-directory board with the most used extensions and bleeps displayed in the department. Satisfaction survey sent post PDSA2. Sustainability: New doctors were provided induction information. Result(s): Initial average waiting time via switchboard was 48 seconds. The average calls made per doctor each day was 12. This calculated to a total departmental loss of 20.16 hours per week waiting on the phone, equating an annual loss of 26, 208. PDSA1: Average waiting times reduced to 12 seconds utilising the application; saving an estimate ~19,656 per annum. PDSA2: Instant availability of contact details on the display board further reduced waiting times to an average 6 seconds. 84% of doctors (n=16) disliked waiting more than 20 seconds, with associated feelings of frustration. 100% preferred the display board, then the use of the application before resorting to switchboard. 100% Sustainability was recorded one year later. Conclusion(s): The use of application technology reduces wasted time which hampers patient care; reduces Trust running costs; and improves health care professional's morale at work.

Link to full-text [no password required]

Improving documentation of communication with parents in neonatal unit. A service development experience (2016)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
Kasim Aldaleel O., *Welch R.

Citation:
Archives of Disease in Childhood, April 2016, vol./is. 101/(A71-A72)

Abstract:
Introduction Effective communication with parents/patients is essential according to Domain 3 of the General Medical Council's (GMC) Guide for Good Medical Practice. Documentation of communication is crucial for clinical and medicolegal aspects. A local survey in our unit revealed a room for development, when 35.3% only of communication with parents was documented. Aim To improve documentation of communication with parents in the neonatal unit, in line with GMC Good Medical Practice Guide, aiming at 100% documentation of communications with parents. Method A development team was assigned with clear responsibilities and leadership. As part of PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle for improvement, tools were developed as an Act to improve documentation of communication with parents. The developed tools were; making documentation of communication with parents a handover component, making the documentation in the notes a personal responsibility of the doctor who spoke to parents and recording that, creating posters about documenting communication with parents and distributing them in different areas of the department as reminders and having a weekly updated Statistical Process Control chart (SPC chart) clearly visible in the unit. Results A Test of the Change was carried out after 2 months by a review of the last 6 weeks of the SPC Chart. The overall percentage of documented communication with parents was 72.85% (51/70) over 6 weeks period. The first week did not show significant change when 36% (4/11) of communications were documented. However, there was a steady improvement between the second and the fifth weeks, ranging from 71% to 80%, before reaching 92% in the sixth week. That was a positive test of change which was highlighted and implementation of these tools was agreed. High quality documented communications were selected and presented to trainees for learning benefits. Conclusion Having accurate medical records is medicolegally essential. Developing local tools to improve documentation of communication with parents is important when that documentation is sub-optimal. The SPC chart, posters, and communication documentation handing over are effective tools. However, other tools might be effective depending on each unit's needs.