Isabella M Lichen1, Michelle J Berning2, Susan M Bower3, Jessica A Stanich4, Molly M Jeffery5, Ronna L Campbell6, Laura E Walker7, Fernanda Bellolio8. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: isabella.m.lichen.22@dartmouth.edu. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: Bower.Susan@mayo.edu. 4. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: Stanich.Jessica@mayo.edu. 5. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department Health Science Research, Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: Jeffery.Molly@mayo.edu. 6. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: campbell.ronna@mayo.edu. 7. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: Walker.Laura@mayo.edu. 8. Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department Health Science Research, Division of Health Care Policy and Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: bellolio.fernanda@mayo.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Determine if a comfort cart would improve older adults' comfort and facilitate communication during Emergency Department (ED) visits. METHODS: A comfort cart containing low-cost, non-pharmacological interventions to improve patient comfort and ability to communicate (e.g., hearing amplifiers, reading glasses) were made available to patients aged ≥65 years. Patients and clinicians were surveyed to assess effectiveness. We followed the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence: SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines. RESULTS: Three hundred patients and 100 providers were surveyed. Among patients, 98.0%, 95.1%, and 67.5% somewhat or strongly agreed that the comfort cart improved comfort, overall experience, and independence, respectively. Among providers, 97.0%, 95.0%, 87.0%, and 83% somewhat or strongly agreed that the comfort cart provided comfort, improved patient satisfaction, increased ability to give compassionate care, and increased patient orientation. CONCLUSION: The comfort cart was an affordable and effective intervention that improved patients' comfort by facilitating communication, wellbeing, and compassionate care delivery.
OBJECTIVE: Determine if a comfort cart would improve older adults' comfort and facilitate communication during Emergency Department (ED) visits. METHODS: A comfort cart containing low-cost, non-pharmacological interventions to improve patient comfort and ability to communicate (e.g., hearing amplifiers, reading glasses) were made available to patients aged ≥65 years. Patients and clinicians were surveyed to assess effectiveness. We followed the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence: SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines. RESULTS: Three hundred patients and 100 providers were surveyed. Among patients, 98.0%, 95.1%, and 67.5% somewhat or strongly agreed that the comfort cart improved comfort, overall experience, and independence, respectively. Among providers, 97.0%, 95.0%, 87.0%, and 83% somewhat or strongly agreed that the comfort cart provided comfort, improved patient satisfaction, increased ability to give compassionate care, and increased patient orientation. CONCLUSION: The comfort cart was an affordable and effective intervention that improved patients' comfort by facilitating communication, wellbeing, and compassionate care delivery.
Authors: Anita Chary; Shan W Liu; Lauren Southerland; Lauren Cameron-Comasco; Kei Ouchi; Christopher R Carpenter; Edward W Boyer; Aanand D Naik; Maura Kennedy Journal: J Geriatr Emerg Med Date: 2022-07-27