Abstract
Background: At our comprehensive stroke center, the Stroke Unit bed ahead tool allows bed availability to be reported every four hours and identifies patients who may be available for discharge or transfer out of the unit. A Stroke Bed Ahead Algorithm is utilized and information is communicated using a paper format and an online text messaging system called EZ Texting. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to improve bed flow through coordination and facilitation of movement in the Stroke Unit and to provide quality control feedback of the efficiency of bed flow within the Stroke Unit. A bed ahead tool is utilized to decrease divert activity of the hospital and decrease length of stay on the Stroke Unit, thereby decreasing length of stay in the hospital. Intervention: The Stroke Unit charge and staff nurses evaluate patients appropriate for possible discharge or transfer out of the Stroke Unit. A Stroke Unit capacity text message is then sent out by the Charge Nurse or the Unit Coordinator every four hours starting at 0800. The capacity text message includes the total number of patients and patients pending to be received or transferred out of the unit. Results: Utilizing an integrated communication strategy decreased the length of stay of stroke population by 12%. Implications of Practice: Implementation of Stroke Unit capacity notification system decreases the length of stay and decreases divert activity of the hospital.
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