Title : Implementing electronic notifications and tools to improve compliance in vital signs documentation during emergency department disposition
Abstract:
In response to regulatory standards, a collaborative project was initiated involving the Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP) Committee, Information Services Inpatient Clinical Applications, and Informatics, aimed at improving compliance in capturing vital signs for pediatric ED patients within 30 minutes of discharge from the Emergency Department (ED). Although the primary focus was on the pediatric ED population, the initiatives implemented affected all ED patients.
The project intended to address compliance metrics by developing enhanced workflows within the electronic medical record (EMR) system. Key stakeholders, including ED leadership, clinicians, and clinical applications teams, worked together to design and implement electronic notifications, tools and a structured approach to vital signs documentation upon discharge from the ED. A component of this solution was the addition of a specific order for the ED Disposition Vital Signs, which triggered an automated nursing task visible on the electronic ED board. This task was designed to alert ED nurses to document vital signs within the specified timeframe, including a prompt to notify ED Providers regarding any abnormal values.
An electronic form was developed to launch from the ED nurses’ electronic board and capture the ED disposition vital signs, ensuring that the necessary data was documented accurately and timely. Post-implementation, compliance metrics were analyzed to assess the effectiveness of the changes. Results indicated an improvement in the documentation of vital signs for pediatric patients compared to pre-project metrics, demonstrating the success of the collaborative effort and the new workflow enhancements.
This project not only met the EDAP Committee focus area goal compliance requirements for pediatric patients but also established a model for ongoing improvements in the capture of disposition vital signs across the Emergency Department. By focusing on compliance with vital sign documentation, the initiative ultimately aimed to enhance patient safety and care quality. The findings underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative technology solutions in enhancing patient care and meeting regulatory standards in a dynamic clinical environment.
Audience Take Away Notes
- Attendees will learn about a successful collaborative initiative aimed at improving compliance in capturing vital signs for pediatric patients in the Emergency Department (ED).
- Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for improving documentation practices, fostering teamwork, and enhancing patient care in emergency settings. This knowledge can empower nurses and healthcare professionals to advocate for and implement similar initiatives in their own departments, leading to improved compliance and better health outcomes across diverse patient populations.
- This outlined specific workflow changes made within the electronic medical record (EMR) system, highlighting how these modifications can streamline processes and enhance data capture. Nurses and other healthcare professionals can apply similar strategies in their own departments.
- The project’s evaluation process showcases the importance of measuring compliance metrics before and after implementing changes. This can help other EDs develop their own metrics and assessment strategies to monitor improvements.
