Use of Electronic Visibility Boards to Improve Patient Care Quality, Safety, and Flow on Inpatient Pediatric Acute Care Units

Abstract

PurposeEffective information exchange among healthcare providers is critical to the delivery of high quality care. Electronic visibility boards (EVB) are an established tool for improving health care efficiency and promoting communication between healthcare team members. Design and MethodsSeattle Children's Hospital (SCH) sought to evaluate the use of EVBs as a tool to improve patient care quality, safety and flow in a pediatric inpatient setting. EVBs were placed on the cancer and surgical patient care units at SCH, and displayed data flowing directly from the electronic health record. ResultsThis paper describes the conceptual framework used for designing these boards, and details on the design methodology, testing approach, and successful deployment of the boards. ConclusionsThe close collaboration between development analysts and clinical nursing is highlighted as a key to successful EVB implementation. Initial metrics indicate improvements in incentive spirometry compliance, nursing documentation of care plans, and flow awareness on the units. Practice ImplicationsThese results suggest that with appropriate design, EVBs can effectively enhance patient safety and care, and may be a useful tool for implementation on other pediatric inpatient units.