Quality Improvement Commons^™

The Comfort Cart Initiative: A Quality Improvement Intervention To Improve Patient Satisfaction In The Emergency Department, Heidy Cladimir Ayala

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

The Comfort Cart Initiative: A Quality Improvement Intervention to Improve Patient Satisfaction in the Emergency Department

Purpose

The Comfort Cart QI project aimed to improve Emergency Department patient, parent, and guardian satisfaction by 10% over an 8-week implementation period.

Background

In healthcare, patient satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of care provided, and many literature reviews suggest it is closely associated with patient-centered care.

 Methodology

The Comfort Cart intervention is an evidence-based quality improvement project employing a pre- and post-intervention design, conducted over an 8-week period, in the Emergency Department. The project was guided by Kolcaba's Comfort Theory …

Implementing Preoperative Anxiety Screening To Enhance Patient-Centered Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Adam Chaban, Abigail Limary, Amir Ghafarian, Joyce Li, George Mckelvey, Wael Saasouh

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background: Preoperative anxiety affects 40–80% of surgical patients and is associated with poorer perioperative experiences. Despite evidence linking preoperative anxiety to increase postoperative pain, sleep disturbances, morbidity and delayed recovery, structured anxiety assessment is not routinely integrated into outpatient pre-anesthesia workflows. The Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) is a validated tool that quantifies patient anxiety and information needs. This quality improvement (QI) project aims to implement APAIS screening in a Pre-Anesthesia Testing (PAT) clinic and evaluate its feasibility, workflow integration, and acceptability.

Methods: This QI initiative will be conducted in adult elective surgery patients at the Detroit Medical …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Improving Utilization Of Interqual Among Case Managers/Patient Care Coordinators At Santa Clara Medical Center, Czar Binuya Viesca

Master's Projects and Capstones

Problem: The utilization management department at Santa Clara Medical Center had low compliance with InterQual criteria, at 35%. This resulted in inconsistent care decisions, poor resource allocation, and regulatory penalties, affecting patient care and performance.

Context: The project aimed to enhance InterQual utilization, aligning with Santa Clara Medical Center's goals of evidence-based, patient-centered care. The initiative was guided by Jesuit values and ANA ethical standards, focusing on service, justice, excellence, patient advocacy, and professional responsibility.

Interventions: The project implemented three main interventions: comprehensive training programs, regular audits, and performance recognition. These interventions aimed to address gaps and ensure the …

Results Of A Needs Assessment: Use Of Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity Data In Health Systems In Maine, Lucy Soule, Melissa Fairfield, Sivana Barron, Natalie Kuhn, Brandy Brown

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) patients experience significantly more health care disparities than non-LGBTQ+ patients. Although sexual orientation and gender identity data (SOGI) would help quantify and track these known disparities, there are no standardized methods for routinely and consistently including SOGI into health care management in Maine. Our needs assessment (1) evaluates the comfort of health care professionals (HCPs) in collecting SOGI and incorporating it into the medical record and (2) identifies barriers to SOGI collection.

Methods: An interprofessional team conducted a survey of Maine HCPs who identified as working directly with patients or patient …

Evaluation Of A Community Based Teaching Hospital’S Geriatric Emergency Medicine Initiative, Josette Hartnett, Isabel Muronzi-Belfon, Suzanne J. Rose

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

INTRODUCTION: To accommodate the complex healthcare needs of the rising geriatric population, Stamford Hospital’s (SH) emergency department (ED) began a Geriatric Emergency Medicine Initiative (GEMI) in 2018 to improve our ED environment, practices, and focused assessments for our community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS: This retrospective program evaluation describes SH’s novel ED processes for at-risk older adults and compares GEMI and non-GEMI assessed patient outcomes using aggregate frequencies on throughput metrics such as length of stay (LOS), 72 hour and 30-day re-admission rates, and other outcomes of interest. Chi-square tests and group t-tests were used for all analyses with a p-value of …

Going From An Academic Medical Center To A Community Hospital: Patient Experiences With Transfers, Alexander Kazberouk, Nicole Boyd, Sandra Oreper, Michael Chang, James D. Harrison, Priya A. Prasad, Ari Hoffman

Patient Experience Journal

Academic medical centers (AMCs) often operate at or near full capacity, which leads to delays in care while smaller community hospitals may have excess capacity. To address this issue and to match patient needs to care acuity, patients may be transferred from an AMC emergency department for direct admission to a community hospital. We aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of patients who were transferred. We randomly selected patients transferred between February 2019 and February 2020. We conducted structured thirty-minute interviews containing fixed response and open-ended questions focusing on the transfer rationale and experience, care quality, and patient financial …

Global Child And Family-Centered Care Fellowship, Education And Mentorship For Pediatric Healthcare Professionals: A Literature Review, Ashley Zheng, Bobbijo Pansier

Patient Experience Journal

Child- and family-centered care (FCC) is increasingly accepted and implemented to optimize the healthcare experience for patients, their families, and healthcare professionals. Standish Foundation for Children, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has designed and piloted a fellowship to educate pediatric healthcare professionals in FCC & psychosocial care via an inquiry and mentorship model in Tbilisis, Georgia. This review aimed to evaluate and synthesize existing literature on psychosocial and FCC mentorship for pediatric healthcare professionals in four parts: ongoing need, effects on healthcare professionals, effects on children and their families and/or caregivers, and in cross-country healthcare settings. Reviewers searched open-source databases for articles …

When Healthcare Leadership And Philanthropy Lead To An Improved Patient Experience: The Paul Lepsoe Music Initiative, Sara Olivier Rn Bscn Mn, Corianne Bell Ba Mus, Cheryl Jones Registered Psychotherapist, Mta, Phd, Jerry M. Maniate Md, M.Ed, Frcpc, Facp

Patient Experience Journal

Through an unprecedented collaboration between an academic acute tertiary care hospital (The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and a community-based professional orchestra (Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO), the Paul Lepsoe Music Initiative represented an innovative partnership focused on improving patient care via (a) the integration of live music in waiting areas of the hospital’s Cancer Center and (b) the creation of individualized music therapy interventions on the inpatient Palliative Care Unit. Patient, family, and volunteer/staff feedback further refined the intervention throughout the duration of the Initiative; a qualitative process that provided insight into the overall patient experience and opportunities for patients and families …

Adapting And Responding To A Pandemic: Patient And Family Advisory Councils In Children's Hospitals During Covid-19, Pam Dardess, Deborah L. Dokken, Ndidi I. Unaka, Jesse Hsu, Mindy Hoang, Andrew F. Beck, Beverley H. Johnson

Patient Experience Journal

This mixed-methods study investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) within children’s hospitals in the United States. Specifically, the study sought to understand how PFACs adapted operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, how patient and family advisors (PFAs) were engaged in the response to COVID-19, and the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic with PFAC diversity, equity, and inclusion. The study consisted of a survey distributed to 228 children’s hospitals, with a 73% response rate, and in-depth interviews with selected survey respondents (n=12). While COVID-19 temporarily disrupted PFAC operations and forced rapid …

The Impact Of Patient-Centered Care On Health Outcomes In Adolescents Living With Diabetes, Rashida Farhad Vasanwala Dr, Amos Lim, Lim Soo Ting, Lim Pei Kwee, Hui Yuen Ching, Tan Xiang Feng

Patient Experience Journal

There is increasing evidence from research studies that suggest patient-centered care has a relationship with good clinical outcomes. In Singapore, there are no studies done to assess and address the issue of patient-centered care and its association with the adolescent’s ability to manage their chronic medical condition, such as Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The relationship between the patient and clinicians has changed from a paternalistic form to a position which aims to foster patient-centered care. More importantly, this study aims to show the adolescent’s readiness and ability to assume a more mature role in management of their own medical condition. …

Understanding Both Sides Of The Blood Draw: The Experience Of The Pediatric Patient And The Phlebotomist, Julie R. Piazza, Sandra Merkel, Brooke Rothberg, Joan Gargaro, Kristin Kullgren

Patient Experience Journal

A phlebotomist’s words and actions play a crucial role in success of a blood draw and in providing a supportive patient experience. This study examined use of comfort measures during a pediatric blood draw. The phlebotomist’s use of soft words, positioning, distraction, coaching/support were observed with sixty children between 3-14 years of age during a blood draw. The level of fear /anxiety before and during the blood draw was recorded by an RA. The child’s level of fear/anxiety was observed and reported by the parent/caregiver after the procedure. Comfort measures provided by phlebotomists, the parent/caregiver’s report of their child’s usual …

Understanding Older Adults Living In Medically Underserved Areas Perspectives Regarding Type 2 Diabetes Care Received, Christopher Rogers

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Older adults with type 2 diabetes living in medically underserved areas (MUAs) have unique health and social needs that must be taken into consideration when supporting their type 2 diabetes treatment and management care. Effective treatment and management of type 2 diabetes for older adults living in MUAs requires incorporating the preferences, desires, needs, values, and goals of the person at the center of the care into his/her care plan. Shifting care to be conducive to the treatment and management goals and plans co-created with older adults living in MUAs based on their individual physical, psychological, social, and spiritual preferences, …

Effective Communication: A Vital Skill In Healthcare, Allison Crabtree

Presentations, Proceedings & Performances

Members of the healthcare team conduct thousands of patient and peer interactions over the course of a career. The call to action from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report on Health Professions and Training stresses the importance of communication training for all members of the healthcare team. As with other healthcare procedures, communication skills can be learned and improved upon, but requires commitment and practice.

Given the wealth of evidence linking ineffective clinician-patient communication with increased malpractice risks, patient nonadherence, patient and clinician dissatisfaction, and poor patient health outcomes, the necessity of addressing communication skills deficits is of utmost importance