Increased communication between nurses and doctors on an acute medical unit By: Nina Linebarger, RN, MSN University of San Francisco

Purpose The focus of this study was to increase communication between nurses and physicians on an acute medical unit The focus of this study was to increase communication between nurses and physicians on an acute medical unitReason: no protocol that encourages nurses to attend physician rounds no protocol that encourages nurses to attend physician rounds realized need working on unit for a year realized need working on unit for a year lack of nurse-physician rounding is a potential area for medical error lack of nurse-physician rounding is a potential area for medical error

Methodology surveys were a key component surveys were a key component distributed to the entire RN staff on the acute medical unit distributed to the entire RN staff on the acute medical unit pre and post implementation pre and post implementation

Literature Review The US NCSBN (2002):“collaboration is a professional imperative” The US NCSBN (2002):“collaboration is a professional imperative” Busby and Gilchrist (1992): rounds most valuable times for sharing info, problem solve, plan tx Busby and Gilchrist (1992): rounds most valuable times for sharing info, problem solve, plan tx Felten et al (2007): enhance quality of pt care, share info, address patient problems, plan & evaluate tx, & increase learning opportunities for staff Felten et al (2007): enhance quality of pt care, share info, address patient problems, plan & evaluate tx, & increase learning opportunities for staff Edwards (2008): facilitates more frequent, effective communication; > patient safety: > accurate info transfer, > use of time/resources, less med errors Edwards (2008): facilitates more frequent, effective communication; > patient safety: > accurate info transfer, > use of time/resources, less med errors Sehgal and Auerbach (2011): study SIDR; reduced the adjusted rate of AE’s Sehgal and Auerbach (2011): study SIDR; reduced the adjusted rate of AE’s

Pre Implementation Results

implementation

Post Implementation Results

Post Implementation results

Significance & Recommendations results suggest that nurse-physician rounding increases communication between the nurses and doctors results suggest that nurse-physician rounding increases communication between the nurses and doctors attendance and communication has increased since the team rounds have been implemented attendance and communication has increased since the team rounds have been implemented system in place to ensure continuation system in place to ensure continuation weekend rounds intended to go live 2015 weekend rounds intended to go live 2015