Ward / Department / Team: I.P.C.U. Blairunit Royalcornhillhospital

Leading Better Care

Sharing Good Practice

NHS Board:

Ward / Department / Team: I.P.C.U. BlairUnit RoyalCornhillHospital

Details of Improvement:

What was the particular problem that this case study isabout?

Organisational change with all staff moving to 12 hour shift pattern did not provide the same continuity of staff. Staff returning to work after 2 or 4 days off requiring Key information enabling them to “hit the floor running”

How was this identified?

Staff raised concerns prior to the change to the 12 hour shifts during a regular staff meeting

What were the implemented improvements (whattools/techniques did you use)?

Adapted the current NHSG Safety Briefing sheets to meet our needs, discussed with areas on the 12 hour pattern the issues they were having re communication (negative /positive)

A new bullet point sheet designed to run along with briefing sheet providing a synopsis of the previous 24 hours for every patient

What is the situation now?

The Briefing sheets and bullet points are used at every hand over and signed by all staff attending the briefing

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How is the change sustainable?

Yes it has become incorporated into our ward routine and the night shift prepare the new sheets for the following day

Measurable outcomes

What are the patient benefits?

All staff are up to date with the key information regarding care and treatment plan resulting in greater patient satisfaction

Staff spending less time in catch up handovers

All staff aware of appointments, procedures and escorts

What are the staff benefits?

All staff are aware of issues on the ward i.e. repairs, areas out of use etc

Shift leaders are identified

Staff spending less time in catch up handovers

Signatures at end of briefing, identify who has received the information and who attended the briefing

What are the organisational benefits?

Documentation and evidence on exact information on who attended and the information passed at briefing

Staff spending less time in “meetings” and more time with the patient group

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How did staff feel before the improvement/during theimprovement and after the improvement?

Staff were keen to look at a new method of effectively communicating

Initially staff required some support and teaching to use the sheets effectively during the initial few weeks

Last review at staff meeting all staff liked the method of communication some felt we could improve what we documented and the pilot should continue with some “tweaks”

What are the lessons learnt and what would you dodifferently next time?

Implementation of change is easier if the need comes from the staff group

I would have had the staff more involved in drawing up the paperwork

What plans are there to spread the improvement?

Currently being discussed at Senior Charge Nurse Meetings and awaiting feed back from other areas

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Contact information for case study

Ashley Brown

Senior Charge Nurse

I.P.C.U. Blair Unit

R.C.H.

Ext 57236