Strategies to Improve Information Transfer for Multitrauma Patients

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Author(s)
Calleja, Pauline
Aitken, Leanne M
Cooke, Marie
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2020
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Show full item recordAbstract
The aim of this multiphase mixed-method study was to improve access, flow, and consistency of information transfer for multitrauma patients leaving the Emergency Department. Methods included literature review, focus group interviews, chart audits, staff surveys, and a review of international trauma forms to inform an intervention developed with a researcher-led, clinician stakeholder group. Analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Baseline data revealed variability existed in patient-care documentation, showing little standardization. Improvement strategies implemented included a gold standard for information ...
View more >The aim of this multiphase mixed-method study was to improve access, flow, and consistency of information transfer for multitrauma patients leaving the Emergency Department. Methods included literature review, focus group interviews, chart audits, staff surveys, and a review of international trauma forms to inform an intervention developed with a researcher-led, clinician stakeholder group. Analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Baseline data revealed variability existed in patient-care documentation, showing little standardization. Improvement strategies implemented included a gold standard for information embedded in handover tools, raising staff awareness of complexities for information transfer. Improvement was seen in communication between wards coordinating transfer, improved documentation, decreased information duplication, improved legibility, and increased ease and efficiency in navigating to key information. Improvement in communication at patient transition is essential to continuity of safe, effective care, and is impacted by complex interactions between multiple factors. Difficulty increases for patients with high acuity.
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View more >The aim of this multiphase mixed-method study was to improve access, flow, and consistency of information transfer for multitrauma patients leaving the Emergency Department. Methods included literature review, focus group interviews, chart audits, staff surveys, and a review of international trauma forms to inform an intervention developed with a researcher-led, clinician stakeholder group. Analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Baseline data revealed variability existed in patient-care documentation, showing little standardization. Improvement strategies implemented included a gold standard for information embedded in handover tools, raising staff awareness of complexities for information transfer. Improvement was seen in communication between wards coordinating transfer, improved documentation, decreased information duplication, improved legibility, and increased ease and efficiency in navigating to key information. Improvement in communication at patient transition is essential to continuity of safe, effective care, and is impacted by complex interactions between multiple factors. Difficulty increases for patients with high acuity.
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Journal Title
Clinical Nursing Research
Copyright Statement
Pauline Calleja et al, Strategies to Improve Information Transfer for Multitrauma Patients, Clinical Nursing Research, 1–24, 2018. Copyright 2018 The Authors. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.
Note
This publication has been entered into Griffith Research Online as an Advanced Online Version.
Subject
Nursing
Acute care