GI Unit Leadership: Optimizing Endoscopy Operations through Leadership (Virtual) | February 2025-12_Khant

12_Khant_Conducting QI Project

Pdf Summary

The document outlines a Quality Improvement (QI) project focused on improving patient readmissions following outpatient endoscopy procedures at Hartford Health Care's Digestive Health Institute. Led by Pravina Khant, the project aims to address issues within existing processes, enhance patient outcomes, and boost Transitional Care Management reimbursements.<br /><br />The project defines a readmission as a scenario where a patient, post-outpatient endoscopy, experiences complications necessitating a return to the emergency department within two weeks. The target population includes patients undergoing outpatient endoscopy procedures.<br /><br />Key drivers include the absence of monitoring systems for hospital readmissions post-procedure, and a lack of a standardized notification system for Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) discussions. The project utilizes the Model of Improvement to guide its objectives, with aims to identify factors contributing to frequent readmissions and to focus on reducing these occurrences.<br /><br />The methods include leveraging EPIC for real-time notifications, using Redcap for survey management and data collection, and dashboards for visual data presentation. The goal is to streamline post-discharge follow-up, which currently lacks consistency, leading to increased readmissions and negative patient experiences.<br /><br />Upcoming implementations involve post-transition outreach using automated messaging to facilitate communication with patients. This will allow the system to escalate concerns to clinical staff when necessary, thereby focusing resources on patients needing immediate attention.<br /><br />Overall, the QI project seeks to improve patient outcomes, safety, and experience, while efficiently utilizing resources. The initiatives hope to reduce unnecessary readmissions, enhance adherence to care plans, and ultimately improve the hospital's quality of service through better monitoring and patient engagement practices.

Keywords

Quality Improvement

patient readmissions

outpatient endoscopy

Hartford Health Care

Transitional Care Management

Morbidity and Mortality

Model of Improvement

EPIC notifications

patient outcomes

automated messaging