Logo image
Bringing families to the bedside: a quality improvement project
Dissertation   Open access

Bringing families to the bedside: a quality improvement project

Alata Warner
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Drexel University
24 Aug 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001502
pdf
Warner_Alata_DNP_2022815.17 kBDownloadView

Abstract

Hospital patients--Family relationships Nursing
Family involvement with hospitalized patients is a necessary and beneficial component to impact the patient experience while improving patient outcomes, reducing readmission rates, and increasing patient safety. There are numerous barriers preventing families from being present at the hospital bedside that require modern day solutions. Using the following PICO question is a useful strategy to identify published evidence that may improve these issues: In adult hospitalized patients (P), does utilizing technology to communicate with families in real time bedside rounds (I) compared to no family presence (C) improve patient experience quality metrics (O)? An extensive critically appraised literature review showed multiple benefits of involving families in healthcare and improving the experience of patients. This project used a phone and iPad with various collaborative technology platforms to connect families to the bedside during beside rounds by way of audio calls and video chats with an aim to improve physician and nursing communication, explanations regarding medications, and discharge instructions Press Ganey scores. Out of 200 participants, 54% preferred to use technology as a substitution to in-person real time rounds. Press Ganey scores improved in 3 out of the 4 measured categories while also showing an absence of negative patient comments regarding untimely or a lack of patient status updates from healthcare providers. The study further identified high quality and efficient technological platforms. Using technology to virtually bring families to the hospital bedside during multidisciplinary bedside rounds is a valuable and feasible strategy.

Metrics

70 File views/ downloads
149 Record Views

Details

Logo image