Horoski, Diane

Lutz, Angela, BS, RRT-NPS

Miller, Kenneth, MEd, RRT-NPS

English

Lehigh Valley Health Network: LVHN Scholarly Works

Lehigh Valley Health NetworkLVHN Scholarly WorksAdministration & LeadershipUtilization of a Resource Algorithm to EnhanceDepartmental CommunicationsDiane HoroskiLehigh Valley Health Network, Diane.Horoski@lvhn.orgKenneth Miller MEd, RRT-NPSLehigh Valley Health Network, Kenneth.Miller@lvhn.orgAngela Lutz BS, RRT-NPSLehigh Valley Health Network, Angela.Lutz@lvhn.orgFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarlyworks.lvhn.org/administration-leadershipPart of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Health andMedical Administration Commons, and the Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsCommonsThis Poster is brought to you for free and open access by LVHN Scholarly Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in LVHN Scholarly Works by anauthorized administrator. For more information, please contact LibraryServices@lvhn.org.Published In/Presented AtHoroski, D., Miller, K. & Lutz, A. (2014, December, 8). Utilization of a Resource Algorithm to Enhance Departmental Communications.Poster session presented at the American Association of Respiratory Care International, Las Vegas, NV.© 2014 Lehigh Valley Health NetworkProblem•		Fluctuating	workloads,	changing	patient	acuity,	and	staffing	patterns	requires	precise	and	proper	communication.								•	It	is	unrealistic	to	expect	departmental	leadership	to	be	in-house	twenty-four	hours	a	day	to	address	questions	or	alter	workload	assignments.			•		Historically,	staff	was	obligated	to	make	front-line	decisions,	often	without	proper	guidance	and/or	global	insight.	Clinical	management	of	difficult	patients	would	then	be	limited	to	in-house	staff’s	clinical	experiences.	Often	the	proper	resource	was	not	contacted	to	assist	in	the	problem	resolution.		•		Advanced	technological	interventions	were	delayed	until	departmental	leadership	was	in-house.				•		Equipment	issues	were	often	pushed	aside	until	leadership	was	available.	All	of	these	issues	often	led	to	staff	frustration	and	confusion.	Intervention•		To	combat	these	issues,	our	department	developed	an	on-call	resource	algorithm.								•	Our	algorithm	addresses	administrative,	technological,	and	clinical	management	issues	in	order	for	the	in-house	staff	to	promptly	contact	the	appropriate	on-call	leader.		•	All	staff	charge	therapists	were	provided	education	and	process	information	on	the	utilization	of	the	algorithm.		•	Staff	feedback	was	encouraged	and	questions	were	answered.Conclusion•		Reduction	of	inappropriate	phone	calls	to	the	Leadership	Team.•	More	efficient	utilization	of	the	Charge	Therapist	time.		•		Enhanced	Department	communications	and	reduction	in	patient	care	delays.				•		Improvement	in	staff	satisfaction.	Methods Results•		Post	implementation	of	the	resource	algorithm	revealed	that	the	departmental	communication	was	enhanced	for	staff.		•	Questions	were	directed	to	the	appropriate	departmental	leadership	and	answered	in	a	timely	and	efficient	manner.				•		Staff	is	now	working	in	a	more	efficient	manner	and	is	less	frustrated	and	confused.		•		Clinical	management	and	technological	interventions	are	now	maintained	twenty-four	hours	a	day.Created by Kenny Miller and Diane HoroskiLehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PAUtilization of a Resource Algorithm to Enhance Departmental CommunicationsStaff Resource/Communication AlgorithmDiane Horoski, Senior System Analyst; Kenneth Miller MEd, RRT-ACCS; Angela Lutz, RRT-NPSPrior	to	use	of	the	Staff	Resource/Communication	Algorithm,	there	was	confusion	about	who	to	call	when	a	problem	arose.	Once	the	Staff	Resource/Communication	Algorithm	was	developed	and	implemented,	our	charge	therapists	knew	who	to	call	which	led	to	less	confusion,	better	staff	satisfaction	and	reduction	in	the	delay	of	patient	care.			RespiratoryTherapist needsa resourceGeneralClinical orInformationalQuestion?EquipmentPerformanceQuestion?Advanced/NewTechnologyInstituted?ComplexClinicalQuestion?ClinicalInformationSystemQuestion?PageCISSPageClinicalCoordinatorPageEquipmentTechnologyCoordinatorAdultArea?Page AdultClinicalEducatorPageNICU/PICUClinicalEducatorAdultArea?PageNICU/PICUClinicalEducatorPage AdultClinicalEducatorPageAdministrator On-callSituationResolvedw/outassistanceConsult thePhysician inthe aICU(X9311)FYI PageAdministrativeOn-CallFYI PageAdministrativeOn-CallRespiratory Therapisthandles situation withappropriate consultationCheck Charge Sheet or contact x0357 tosee who the Administrative on-call is.Coordinator’s inhouse, call x2928.Call pager no. as listed below:Administrative On-Call:0170 – Director5636 – Clinical Coordinator1546 – Technology CoordinatorClinical Educators:1882 – Adult Clinical Educator2946 – NICU/PICU Clinical Educator6925 - CISSYes YesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo(Staffing/Personnel Issue)or (Large Vol ofTransports and/or Life Supports> 60)?

Utilization of a Resource Algorithm to Enhance Departmental Communications

https://scholarlyworks.lvhn.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1105&context=administration-leadership

Utilization of a Resource Algorithm to Enhance Departmental Communications

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Lehigh Valley Health Network: LVHN Scholarly Works