A Quality Improvement Project to Increase Adherence to a Pain, Agitation, and Delirium Protocol in the Intensive Care Unit.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Background
In recent years, the incidence of delirium has grown to epidemic proportions in the intensive care setting with up to 80% of mechanically ventilated patients being affected. This can lead to adverse patient outcomes such as increased lengths of hospital stay, increased mortality rates, and increased long-term cognitive impairment.Objectives
The objective of this project is to determine whether a quality improvement project can increase adherence to an existing pain, agitation, and delirium (PAD) protocol for enhanced patient outcomes.Methods
Chart audits were conducted to determine baseline compliance, use of the PAD protocol was measured, and the type of medications administered to each mechanically ventilated patient was assessed. Using the Knowledge-to-Action framework, a multidisciplinary, multidimensional educational module was then developed and implemented that included an online tutorial, point-of-care reminders, written materials, and verbal coaching. A 3-month postimplementation chart audit was conducted to determine whether increased protocol competence was achieved.Results
Protocol use unexpectedly decreased from 74% to 41% (P < .01);however, compliance with medication recommendations did increase despite the decrease in use. Intravenous opioid use increased from 12% to 40% (P ≤ .001), whereas sedative propofol infusions decreased from 82% to 35% (P ≤ .001).Conclusions
The implementation of a multidimensional, multidisciplinary project was successful in increasing compliance to the clinical practice guidelines for the management of PAD in adult intensive care unit patients, despite a decrease in protocol use. This unanticipated decrease in protocol use indicates the need for additional research in this area. Future recommendations also include a review of the existing PAD protocol to determine whether revisions could be made to better suit the needs of the staff while also improving patient outcomes in the arena of delirium experienced during critical care stays.Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Yan, W; Morgan, BT; Berry, P; Matthys, MK; Thompson, JA; Smallheer, BA
Published Date
- May 2019
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 38 / 3
Start / End Page
- 174 - 181
PubMed ID
- 30946126
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1538-8646
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0730-4625
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1097/dcc.0000000000000353
Language
- eng