Implementation of an electronic checklist in the ICU: Association with improved outcomes

To assess the impact of an electronic checklist during the morning rounds on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the intensive care unit (ICU).

We conducted a retrospective, before/after study in a single ICU of a university hospital. A systematic electronic checklist focusing on guidelines adherence was introduced in January 2012. From January 2008 to June 2014, we screened patients with ICU stay durations of at least 48hours. Propensity score-matched analysis with conditional logistic regression was used to compare the rate of VAP and number of days free of invasive devices before and after implementation of the electronic checklist.

We analysed 1711 patients (before group, n=761; after group, n=950). The rates of VAP were 21% and 11% in the before and after groups, respectively (p<0.001). In propensity-score matched analysis (n=742 in each group), VAP occurred in 151 patients (21%) during the before period compared with 72 patients (10%) during the after period (odds ratio [OR]=0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.27-0.53). The after group showed increases in ICU-free days (OR=1.05; 95% CI=1.04-1.07) and mechanical ventilation-free days (OR=1.03; 95% CI=1.01-1.04).

In this matched before/after study, implementation of an electronic checklist was associated with positive effects on patient outcomes, especially on VAP. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations.