Implementation of a Vital Sign Alert System to Improve Outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Clinical Informatics
• Patient Safety
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Changes in vital signs often precede clinical deterioration by up to 24 hours.
• Modified early warning scores effectively identify at-risk patients and improve outcomes.
• Challenges persist in vital sign documentation, timely recognition of deterioration, and sepsis bundle compliance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement an electronic vital sign alert (VSA) system to address challenges in patient monitoring.
• To improve the timely recognition and management of clinical deterioration and sepsis.

Main Methods:

• An interprofessional team developed an electronic vital sign alert (VSA) system integrated with a sepsis screen and clinical protocols.
• The VSA system and protocols were implemented across three nursing units following comprehensive education.

Main Results:

• The implementation of the VSA system led to a significant decrease in mortality rates and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay for patients with respiratory failure and sepsis.
• There was a 21% increase in the identification of sepsis cases post-implementation.
• An increase in unplanned transfers to the ICU was observed after system implementation.

Conclusions:

• The electronic vital sign alert (VSA) system proved effective in identifying patients at risk for clinical deterioration.
• The VSA system contributed to improved patient outcomes, particularly for sepsis and respiratory failure.