Standardized Communication Process Guided by Daily Goals Form Improves Nurse-Physician Communication and Increases Nurse and Patient Satisfaction...

Standardized Communication Process Guided by Daily Goals Form Improves Nurse-Physician Communication and Increases Nurse and Patient Satisfaction on Surgical Unit


Snapshot
Summary
Clinicians on a surgical unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital use a standardized communication process to ensure thorough and timely patient care. Developed from work in the hospital's intensive care unit, this process involves use of a daily goals form to conduct and document standardized discussions about patient-related issues, with the goal of ensuring a prompt response to patient needs in order to expedite recovery and discharge. This form subsequently guides the ongoing care of the patient, including communication with the family and discharge planning. To facilitate use of this standardized process, patients from one provider team are assigned to the surgical unit whenever possible. The program has enhanced communication, as evidenced by a considerable reduction in daily pages from unit nurses to physicians during a pilot test, and increased nurse and patient satisfaction.

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of pre- and post-implementation comparisons of nurse-to-physician pages, nurse satisfaction, and patient satisfaction.

Developing Organizations
Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, MD
Date First Implemented
2008

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