How to Improve Communication in the ICU Using Daily Goals
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a vital part of a hospital's function. It is of particular importance because patients brought there are usually in very serious condition. A team of doctors and nurses work to take care of the patients, and communication between each other as well as with the families is necessary in determining the health outcome. Using the daily goals worksheet has been proven to increase communication with all of those involved in the ICU.
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Instructions
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Background
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Johns Hopkins University Hospital in conjuction with the Volunteer Hospital Association and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in 2003 conducted an experiment to determine the effectiveness of using the daily goals worksheet to improve the communication skills of the ICU staff. The conclusion was that it was a very effective means to improve communication during patient care and actually decreased the length of stay in the hospital.
Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City in 2006 conducted a similar study, which agreed with the Hopkins' findings.
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Meet with the ICU team, including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists as well as other personnel involved in the patient's care. Determine the daily care goals to be used to improve communication among the staff as well as with the patient and the patient's family. Make a chart. Include mobilization goals, nutritional goals, removing catheters and elevating the head of the bed.
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Add to the chart items such as pain management, social, emotional and skin care issues. Consider the risk of the patient's safety and ways to reduce that risk. List these on the chart.
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Work with your team to provide items on the daily care check list, such as tests and procedures, specialist consultations if needed and medication changes. Discuss these with the attending physician as well as with the patient's family.
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Request that the attending physician sign the form. Give it to the nurse with instructions to tape it to the patient's bed where all can view it. Ask the team that works in the ICU to review the daily goals and initial the check list three times a day.
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Ask the team members to update the care plan during each day. Be sure the goals are changed as the patient's needs require adjustments.
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Use the form to communicate with the family. Point out the clinical status, the care that has been given and the care that is planned. Discuss the daily care goals as indicated on the worksheet and explain them to the family.
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Repeat the procedure for each patient and for all subsequent patients. Meet with the staff to evaluate the results periodically.
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- Photo Credit female doctor #6 image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com
