Case Study: Interprofessional Team Rounds in Acute Care
Lincoln County Hospital decided to implement interprofessional team rounds each morning to discuss each patient’s condition and the events in the past 24 hours and to collaboratively develop a plan of care. The purpose of this new process was to minimize unnecessary services, reduce delays and gaps in care, and enhance collaborative patient-centered care. Previously, there were two formal processes for communicating patient information: the electronic medical record and the change-of-shift handoff by nursing held in a small conference room next to the nurses station.
The new interprofessional team rounds were implemented at the bedside with the nurse, the attending physician, and the patient and included any family members who were present. After a few weeks with the new process, staff noted enhanced communication and follow through on the plan of care. Preliminary feedback from patients and families was positive, and they valued regular updates on the plan of care. Staff realized there was further opportunity to include other members of the team in the interprofessional rounds.
Discussion Questions
- Discuss any anticipated barriers to implementing daily interdisciplinary rounds in the hospital. For each of the anticipated barriers suggest specific, realistic strategies to address the concerns.
- What are the potential benefits to implementing this new process?
- Who should be included in the daily interprofessional rounds? Consider different patient examples and list any members you consider appropriate.
- Suggest at least three strategies to monitor individual and team performance with implementation of this new process.
Anticipated Barriers and Strategies to Address Concerns:
- Barriers:
- Time Constraints: Healthcare professionals often have tight schedules and may perceive additional rounds as time-consuming.
- Resistance to Change: Staff may be resistant to adopting a new process if they are comfortable with the existing workflow.
- Logistical Challenges: Coordinating schedules of various team members can be difficult.
Strategies:
- Training and Education: Provide training sessions to showcase the benefits of the new process and emphasize time-saving aspects.
- Clear Communication: Transparently communicate the purpose and benefits of the rounds to all staff members.
- Flexible Scheduling: Adjust scheduling to accommodate team members’ availability, possibly rotating shifts or providing incentives for participation.
- Potential Benefits:
- Enhanced Communication: Improved communication among team members leads to better coordination of care.
- Patient-Centered Care: Involving patients and families promotes shared decision-making and a better understanding of the care plan.
- Reduced Errors: Collaboratively developing a plan of care minimizes gaps in information and potential errors.
- Participants in Interprofessional Rounds:
- Nurse and Attending Physician: Core members involved in patient care.
- Patients and Families: Encourages their active involvement in decision-making.
- Specialists (if needed): Depending on the patient’s condition, specialists like therapists, social workers, pharmacists, etc., should be included.
- Monitoring Strategies:
- Feedback Surveys: Regularly collect feedback from staff, patients, and families to assess their experience and identify areas for improvement.
- Performance Metrics: Track key performance indicators related to patient outcomes, such as reduced readmission rates or improved recovery times.
- Observation and Assessment: Periodically observe the rounds to evaluate team dynamics, communication, and adherence to the established care plans.
Implementing interprofessional team rounds can significantly improve patient care and teamwork. By addressing anticipated barriers and consistently monitoring performance, the hospital can ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of this new process.