Faculty Collaboration Database

Improving Standardization of Paging Communication Using Quality Improvement Methodology. Pediatrics 2019 Apr;143(4)

Date

03/21/2019

Pubmed ID

30890559

DOI

10.1542/peds.2018-1362

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85064144195 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   3 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Paging is a primary mode of communication in hospitals, but message quality varies. With this project, we aimed to standardize paging, thus improving end user (EU) satisfaction, patient safety, and efficiency. Objectives were to increase the percent of pages containing 6 critical elements (CEs) (ie, the sender's first and last name, a 7-digit callback number, patient name, room number, and urgency indicator [information only, call, or come] to 90%); improve EU satisfaction to 80% rating paging communication as good or excellent; and decrease the frequency of safety events related to paging.

METHODS: This multidisciplinary, system-wide quality improvement study was conducted at our stand-alone academic children's hospital. CEs were determined by EU consensus. Outcome measures were inclusion of all 6 CEs, provider satisfaction, and frequency of safety events. Process measures were inclusion of individual CEs and appropriateness and timeliness of response to pages. Balancing measures included number of work-arounds (WAs). Interventions included education, engineering a platform with required fields, and optimization enhancements. Statistical process control charts (p-charts; XmR) were used to track the impact of interventions.

RESULTS: Special-cause improvement was noted in use of all 6 CEs (4.4%-79.7%) and individual CEs. EU satisfaction improved from 50% to 85% rating paging communication as good or excellent. Safety events related to paging remain infrequent. Specific WA use decreased by 60%.

CONCLUSIONS: System-wide use of required fields produced significant improvement in inclusion of all 6 CEs and EU satisfaction. WAs were curbed by improving the ease of CE incorporation. Required fields should be considered at institutions seeking improved paging communication.

Author List

Weigert RM, Schmitz AH, Soung PJ, Porada K, Weisgerber MC

Authors

Paula Soung MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Michael C. Weisgerber MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Academic Medical Centers
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Hospital Communication Systems
Hospitals, Pediatric
Humans
Infant
Interdisciplinary Communication
Male
Quality Improvement
Reference Standards
Wisconsin