Decreasing companion usage without negatively affecting patient outcomes: a performance improvement project

The use of companions to monitor and care for patients at risk for adverse events is a long-standing practice with patients who require constant observation such as with suicide precautions. While offering a potential benefit of increased safety, the use of companions in subacute care is inefficient and poses an enormous financial strain on the health care system. Development of a protocol for assessing at-risk patients, and collaboration between care-givers through a performance improvement initiative, made it possible to reduce companion expenditure without negatively affecting patient outcomes.