Improving Postoperative Handoffs in the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit

Introduction Transitions of care represent a major source of medical errors, patient morbidity/mortality, and increased healthcare waste. 2018 CLER report indicated largely unfavorable responses toward handoffs and care transitions for perioperative services and neurointensive care. Use of the IPASS handoff tool is associated with up to 30% reduction in adverse events and 23% reduction in medical errors. Implementation of IPASS for postoperative handoffs in the SICU resulted in improved organization, safety, and communication.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/patientsafetyposters/1146/thumbnail.jp

Effective, Efficacious, and Safe Nurse Driven Dysphagia Screening

Introduction: With 795,000 people suffering strokes and more than 140,000 deaths annually, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Dysphagia screening can reduce stroke complications, such as aspiration, and can decrease delays in nutritional support. Decreasing nutritional support delays can improve patient outcomes