A Lean Approach to Patient Transfers

Recognizing delays in patient transfers from the intensive care unit (ICU) to its designated telemetry unit impeded patient flow, a group of nurses from both units came together to identify barriers for the transfer process and worked on a solution that benefited the patient, staff, and hospital. Nurses changed the process of patient handoff by means of telephone to bedside handoff, creating a culture change and eliminated approximately 60 minutes from the average time to transfer patient from the ICU to the telemetry unit. The bedside handoff included a neurological assessment, which helped facilitate continuity of care and decreased anxiety for the patient during transition to the telemetry unit.