Neonatal Respiratory Therapist-Led Rounds Can Improve Staff Satisfaction and Timeliness of Respiratory Interventions

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Interdisciplinary rounding is used to establish and communicate patient care goals and monitor progress toward goal attainment. This study describes staff satisfaction and process outcomes associated with respiratory therapist (RT)-led interdisciplinary rounds in the neonatal ICU. We hypothesized improved staff satisfaction, execution of orders within 30 min of order entry into the electronic medical record, and communication of accurate and complete data during rounds to the interdisciplinary team. METHODS: Nurses, RTs, nurse practitioners, residents, and attending physicians completed the 13-question survey eliciting demographic information and evaluating staff engagement and professional satisfaction. The survey was anonymous and confidential, and informed consent was implied. Process data were collected for a 10-d period at 2 intervals through direct observation of the rounding process and electronic medical record review. Descriptive statistics reported patient demographics, responses to job satisfaction and engagement survey questions, the number of patients who were visited in daily rounds, the number and type of orders given during rounds, and the number of respiratory orders that were addressed in multidisciplinary teaching rounds rather than during respiratory rounds. The chi-square test was used to determine differences in the proportion of inaccurate and incomplete data communicated during rounds between the 2 data collection periods. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences in the timeliness of electronic medical record order entry and time to order completion. RESULTS: A 94.8% survey response rate (n ‫؍‬ 55) was obtained. Seventy-six percent of participants reported improved communication. Sixty-nine percent of participants reported improved teamwork. Eighty-six percent of orders were implemented immediately after electronic medical record entry. Correct information was provided on 95% and 99.3% of patients (P < .066) and complete information on 93% and 96% of patients (P ‫؍‬ .41). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of respiratory rounds improved staff satisfaction and the timeliness of completing respiratory orders. Spot monitoring at intermittent intervals verified process sustainability.

Clinical nurses’ experiences and perceptions after the implementation of an interprofessional team intervention: A qualitative study

“…Effective IP team training has been recommended as a strategy to achieve effective IP teamwork and better work environments, as well as to enhance patient safety and patient outcomes (Joint Commission, ). Moreover, structured IP bedside rounding offers a validated structure that allows for effective teamwork, communication with an IP healthcare team and efficient delivery of care (Gausvik, Lautar, Miller, Pallerla, & Schlaudecker, ; Genet, Firestone, & Volsko, ; Henkin et al., ). The bedside rounding also empowers the patients and their families to ask questions and be involved in their care plan (Gausvik et al., ).…”

“…Moreover, numerous studies have investigated the impact of IP team interventions such as structured IP rounds (Gausvik et al., ; Genet, Firestone, & Volsko, ; Sharma & Klocke, ), regular morning meetings (Aston, Shi, Bullôt, Galway, & Crisp, ) or educational programmes (McCaffrey et al., ). These studies have measured outcomes such as IP collaboration and communication (Aston et al., ; Gausvik et al., ; Genet, Firestone, & Volsko, ; McCaffrey et al., ; Sharma & Klocke, ), a psychologically safe environment (Aston et al., ; Gausvik et al., ), workflow efficiency (Aston et al., ; Gausvik et al., ; Sharma & Klocke, ), job satisfaction among all healthcare professionals (Gausvik et al., ; Sharma & Klocke, ) and patient outcomes (Aston et al., ; McCaffrey et al., ).…”

Unit-Level Variations in Healthcare Professionals’ Availability for Preterm Neonates &#x3c;29 Weeks’ Gestation: An International Survey

“…Neonatal respiratory therapists play an important role in the multidisciplinary care of sick and preterm neonates [39]. However, this healthcare specialty is more (or exclusively) prevalent in North America but rare in other countries, which is evident in our results.…”

“…In contrast to adults, limited data exist associating the presence of a respiratory therapist with respiratory outcomes in the NICU [40]. Genet et al [39] reported that neonatal respiratory therapists improve staff satisfaction and the timelines of respiratory interventions.…”

Raising Professional Presence Through Team Leadership in the Critical Care Setting

“…Although the issue of elevating professional presence of the RT through team leadership was not the primary focus, Genet et al 7 should be applauded for bringing the issue of RT team leadership to the forefront in a practical, patientcentered demonstration of knowledge and skill to their NICU teammates. This example of the RT team taking the initiate to increase communication through leadership is outstanding.…”