Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11054/649
Title: Clinical user experiences of observation and response charts: focus group findings of using a new format chart incorporating a track and trigger system.
Authors: Elliott, Doug
Allen, Emily
Perry, Lin
Fry, Margaret
Duffield, Christine
Gallagher, Robyn
Iedema, Rick
McKinley, Sharon
Roche, Michael
Issue Date: 2015
Publisher: BMJ
Place of publication: London
Publication Title: BMJ Quality and Safety
Volume: 24
Issue: 1
Start Page: 65
End Page: 75
Abstract: This article includes data from Ballarat Health Services. Background: Optimising clinical responses to deteriorating patients is an international indicator of acute healthcare quality. Observation charts incorporating track and trigger systems are an initiative to improve early identification and response to clinical deterioration. A suite of track and trigger ‘Observation and Response Charts’ were designed in Australia and initially tested in simulated environments. This paper reports initial clinical user experiences and views following implementation of these charts in adult general medical-surgical wards. Methods: Across eight trial sites, 44 focus groups were conducted with 218 clinical ward staff, mostly nurses, who received training and had used the charts in routine clinical practice for the preceding 2–6 weeks. Transcripts of audio recordings were analysed for emergent themes using an inductive approach. Findings: In this exploration of initial user experiences, key emergent themes were: tensions between vital sign ‘ranges versus precision’ to support decision making; using a standardised ‘generalist chart in a range of specialist practice’ areas; issues of ‘clinical credibility’, ‘professional autonomy’ and ‘influences of doctors’ when communicating abnormal signs; and ‘permission and autonomy’ when escalating care according to the protocol. Across themes, participants presented a range of positive, negative or mixed views. Benefits were identified despite charts not always being used up to their optimal design function. Participants reported tensions between chart objectives and clinical practices, revealing mismatches between design characteristics and human staff experiences. Overall, an initial view of ‘increased activity/uncertain benefit’ was uncovered. Conclusions: Findings particularly reinforced the significant influences of organisational work-based cultures, disciplinary boundaries and interdisciplinary communication on implementation of this new practice chart. Optimal use of all chart design characteristics will be possible when these broader cultural issues are addressed.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11054/649
Resource Link: http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/24/1/65.short
ISSN: 2044-5415
Internal ID Number: 00632
Health Subject: ORC
OBSERVATION CHARTS
CHARTS
CHARTING
OBSERVATION AND RESPONSE CHARTS
DETERIORATING PATIENTS
TRACK AND TRIGGER
Type: Journal Article
Article
Appears in Collections:Research Output

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