Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
Effectiveness of checklists in multidisciplinary rounds for improving patient safety in the pediatric intensive care
Daniela Fernanda Dos Santos Alves1, Sarah Oliveira da Silva1, Amanda Ullman2
1School of Nursing, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Insights
This systematic review evaluates if checklists improve patient safety and reduce mortality in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Findings will inform best practices for multidisciplinary rounds.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Healthcare quality improvement
- Patient safety research
Background:
- Checklists show potential for enhancing healthcare communication and adherence to guidelines.
- Existing evidence is fragmented, with no systematic review focusing on pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effectiveness of checklists during multidisciplinary rounds in PICUs.
- To compare outcomes of PICU multidisciplinary rounds with and without checklist use.
- To assess the impact on mortality and patient safety.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across multiple databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, etc.).
- Inclusion of experimental and observational studies on pediatric patients (<18 years) in PICUs.
- Data synthesis via narrative synthesis and statistical meta-analysis where feasible.
Main Results:
- This section is to be populated upon completion of the review.
Conclusions:
- This section is to be populated upon completion of the review.
Objective:
This review will evaluate the effectiveness of checklist use in multidisciplinary rounds, compared with multidisciplinary rounds without checklists, for improving mortality and patient safety in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Introduction:
Single studies have demonstrated that checklists can potentially improve communication of care between health professionals, reduce adverse events, and increase adherence to best practice guidelines. However, no systematic review of the literature has explored the use of checklists in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Inclusion Criteria:
This review will consider studies that include pediatric patients, under 18 years of age, admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. Identified studies will compare the use of checklists in multidisciplinary rounds with multidisciplinary rounds with no checklists. The studies will also evaluate mortality and patient safety outcomes. We will consider experimental and observational studies, published in any language, with no date restrictions.
Methods:
The search strategy will aim to locate both published and unpublished studies. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, LILACS, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, the Center for Reviews and Dissemination, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and Epistemonikos. The studies will be screened and those meeting the inclusion criteria will be retained by two independent researchers. Assessment of methodology and data extraction will then be carried out. The data will be presented using a narrative synthesis and the studies will be pooled with a statistical meta-analysis, where possible.
Systematic Review Registration Number:
PROSPERO CRD42021233798.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Methods of Documentation III: PIE
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic...
01:23Methods of Documentation V: CBE
In CBE, healthcare professionals establish predefined standards of practice that define what constitutes...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:26Guidelines for Nursing Documentation II
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
01:08Role of Communication in the Nursing Process III: Evaluation and Documentation