Plan Your Road Trip An Algorithm for Safety

Plan Your Road Trip: An Algorithm for Safety Presented by: Rebecca Shutts BSN Kathleen Carey MSN, CNS Kevin Hamel RN

Objectives • Increased understanding of a safe method of intra-hospital transport for PCU patients utilizing the appropriate staff and equipment. • Describe our process of sharing data with staff to hardwire an existing process.

Concerns • “ I am off the unit for hours at a time with a stable patient, and I have to leave my other patients with a covering RN. ” • “I have all of my patients and all of his / her patients so I can’t possibly teak a break right now” • “ I can’t be in two places at once. ”

The Purpose • To ensure patients traveling to other departments for testing and / or procedures are accompanied by the appropriate personnel and equipment. • To decrease number of hand of off care reports throughout the day. • To increase availability of critical equipment and personnel.

Methods • Data Collection • Research • Collaboration

The Algorithm

Methods • Policy development • House-wide Education • Implementation

Results 96. 4 Hours 64. 18 Hours 34. 25 Hours RN Hours off PCU

Conclusion • Successful implementation of a risk stratified approach to patient safety with 100% compliance. • Decreased the number of hand of off care reports throughout the day. • Increased availability of critical equipment and personnel. • Increased staff satisfaction while decreasing the need for additional FTEs.

Future Opportunities • Insulin drip patients • Patients who have received thrombolytic therapy • Educating new nurses • Examining criteria • Expanding to other units

Questions? ? Rebecca Shutts RN, BSN, PCCN, WCC Email: rshutts@cvph. org Kathleen Carey RN, CNS-BC Critical Care, CCRN Email: kcarey@cvph. org Kevin Hamel RN Email: khamel@cvph. org

1. Mayer NJ. Transporting telemetry patients: an algorithm enables safe patient transport without an RN or monitoring. Am J Nurs 2009; 109 (11): 35 -37 2. Larson, TS, Brady WJ. Electrocardiographic monitoring in the hospitalized patient: a diagnostic intervention of uncertain clinical impact. Am J Emerg Med 2008; 26(9): 1047 -55. References