David M Friedman1, David L Berger. 1. Department of Surgery and Clinical Performance Management Team, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS: Improving team structure and heightening communication will help provide cost-effective and high-quality patient care for general surgery patients. DESIGN: This study surveys teamwork initiatives and their effects on specific variables related to patient care. PATIENTS: The study population comprised all patients admitted to the hospital's general surgery teams during 5 years 3 months. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. INTERVENTIONS: A complete restructuring of the patient care team for general surgery patients admitted to the hospital. The intervention occurred midway through the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean length of stay for general surgery patients as a marker of team efficiency and a standardized patient satisfaction survey. RESULTS: The mean length of stay after initiation of the restructured care team was significantly shorter than before initiation. The significance was present despite a consistent patient acuity measure and was associated with a high patient satisfaction level. CONCLUSIONS: Restructuring the patient care team yielded a decreased mean length of stay while maintaining a high level of patient satisfaction. This analysis helps validate a hospital-wide initiative to maintain a high level of patient care while increasing patient volume.
HYPOTHESIS: Improving team structure and heightening communication will help provide cost-effective and high-quality patient care for general surgery patients. DESIGN: This study surveys teamwork initiatives and their effects on specific variables related to patient care. PATIENTS: The study population comprised all patients admitted to the hospital's general surgery teams during 5 years 3 months. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. INTERVENTIONS: A complete restructuring of the patient care team for general surgery patients admitted to the hospital. The intervention occurred midway through the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean length of stay for general surgery patients as a marker of team efficiency and a standardized patient satisfaction survey. RESULTS: The mean length of stay after initiation of the restructured care team was significantly shorter than before initiation. The significance was present despite a consistent patient acuity measure and was associated with a high patient satisfaction level. CONCLUSIONS: Restructuring the patient care team yielded a decreased mean length of stay while maintaining a high level of patient satisfaction. This analysis helps validate a hospital-wide initiative to maintain a high level of patient care while increasing patient volume.
Authors: Richard P T M Grol; Marije C Bosch; Marlies E J L Hulscher; Martin P Eccles; Michel Wensing Journal: Milbank Q Date: 2007 Impact factor: 4.911
Authors: S K Rothschild; E E Emery-Tiburcio; L J Mack; Y Wang; E F Avery; H Li; R L Golden; L H Powell Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2016-04-16 Impact factor: 2.226