Interdisciplinary development and implementation of communication checklist for postoperative management of pediatric...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Communication errors during patient transfer can lead to adverse events, particularly in vulnerable pediatric surgical airway patients.
• Existing literature lacks comprehensive strategies for safe care transitions in pediatric surgical and medical subspecialties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a standardized protocol and checklist to reduce communication errors during the transfer of care for postoperative pediatric surgical airway patients.
• To evaluate the preliminary outcome data following the implementation of this new protocol and checklist.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team applied the Institute of Health Improvement methodology to create a transfer-of-care protocol and checklist.
• A prospective study was conducted over 11 months, analyzing data from 93 pediatric airway patients post-implementation.
• The study involved coordinated care between two tertiary care centers: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Main Results:

• The implemented protocol and checklist led to a significant decrease in communication errors during patient transfer.
• No adverse events related to miscommunication during transfer of care were reported in the 93 pediatric airway patients studied over the 11-month follow-up period.
• The standardized instrument proved effective in ensuring safe transfer of care for this high-risk patient population.

Conclusions:

• A formalized, electronically based transfer-of-care checklist and protocol can significantly decrease postsurgical pediatric airway information transfer and communication errors.
• This multidisciplinary approach enhances patient safety and quality of care during critical care transitions.
• Further research in quality and safety literature is needed to address effective care coordination between pediatric surgical and medical subspecialties.