Video Monitoring for Fall Prevention and Patient Safety: Process Evaluation and Improvement.

BACKGROUND: Although video monitoring has been shown to reduce falls among at-risk hospitalized patients, there are no identified best practices for the monitoring process. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the monitoring process at a large teaching hospital, with the goal of making improvements and standardizing monitoring practices. METHODS: Patients and nursing staff perceptions about the video monitoring process were elicited via survey, and perceptions of monitor technicians were obtained through structured interview. RESULTS: Video monitoring was perceived by all groups as effective in promoting patient safety. Nursing staff and monitor technicians also indicated that monitoring protects patient safety in other high-risk situations. Suggestions for improvement and standardization in the monitoring process were made by study participants. CONCLUSIONS: Suggested changes and standardization of the monitoring process have been implemented in the study facility. Insights are provided for other facilities considering video monitoring for patient safety.

Benefits of standardizing additional airway clearance in the trauma patient population.

The objective of this project was the development of a systematic preventative approach toward the treatment of respiratory complications among the trauma population. The team used and documented existing treatment regimens within specific study groups, to determine an effective structure to combat respiratory complications. The project included retrospective data collected from the Trauma Registry of an American College of Surgeons verified Level 1, adult rural, academic facility. Review data indicated significant inconsistencies in the pulmonary treatment among the trauma population. Pulmonary hygiene orders lacked consistency, and the patient-focused standards of care led to the creation of nonspecific or omitted orders. The results of the analysis revealed that the overall rate of unplanned upgrades to the higher level of care and intubations due to respiratory compromise were significantly impacted by the design of a collaborative pulmonary care regimen defining role delineation, timelines, and education. This project provided support to the credence of the designated pathway.