IDEAL PICU Rounds: Improving Daily Efficiency by Applying Lean Principles

The objective of this project was to improve communication, patient throughput, and rounding efficiency. Primary outcome studied was transfer/discharge order entry time and secondary outcomes included medication order entry time, staff perception, and time spent per patient. The location was a level one pediatric intensive care unit in an academic children's hospital. Utilizing Lean Six methodologies the major contributor to increased variability was different attending physician rounding patterns. These patterns were evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee, and the most efficient was adopted by all attending physicians during the study period. Data was collected by secret observers and a pre-post staff perception survey. Transfer/discharge order entry improved by 45 minutes/patient. Medication order entry improved by 89 minutes/order. Staff survey showed increased satisfaction in 9 of 12 aspects. Time spent per patient increased by 20%. In conclusion, standardization of rounds improved patient throughput, medication order entry, and staff satisfaction while increasing value-added time during rounds.