Design of a Cardiovascular Discharge Tool: An Optimization Project

POSTER

Design of a Cardiovascular Discharge Tool: An Optimization Project Jessica A. Gomez BSN, RN Background Table 1. Pros and Cons of Different EHR Alerts ▪ National public reporting by hospitals and healthcare systems provides transparency and accountability regarding outcomes ▪ Intermountain Health’s Cardiovascular program sees an opportunity for improvement to provide quality care ▪ 97% Success rate in medication prescribing after cardiovascular procedures puts Intermountain in the 50th percentile nationally ▪ Assessment of patient encounters and chart reviews identified: - No standard discharge guide for providers - An inconsistency in standard discharge order sets ▪ Providers had created their own standardized list to track during patient stay (in progress notes) ▪ Alert is needed/desired (Table 1) ▪ Solutions: - SmartZone Alert (Figure 1) - mPage Objectives Discussion ▪ Assess current workflow and orders ▪ Identify documentation requirements and the providers’ wants in developing a tool or alert ▪ Identify the pros and cons of different alert types and tools ▪ Design and Develop an alert and/or tool to guide providers ▪ Importance of involving specific end-users in projects ▪ Optimization of workflows and tools in multiple areas/specialties ▪ Improving outcomes and reducing complications can lower healthcare costs Figure 1. Visual Representation of a SmartZone Alert Methods ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Assessed patient encounters and known reporting misses Identified documentation requirements Team meetings Development of an alert and/or tool Results Conclusion ▪ The lack of a standard guide for medication prescribing after a cardiac procedure or hospitalization highlights the need for a cardiovascular alert and tool to ensure all patients receive appropriate guideline-based medications and follow-up care. COLLEGE OF NURSING