1. Trauma Center Transition From Paper to Electronic Quality Improvement: Enhancing Trauma Performance Efficiency.
- Author
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Aplin, Amanda, Franks, Jennifer, Chagin, Laura, Butler, Jean, Killian, Kim, Whaley, Holly, Howard, Chandra, Childers, Megan, Runkle, Kimberly, and Cotterman, Robert
- Subjects
TRAUMA centers ,TASK performance ,ELECTRONIC journals ,COST control ,DOCUMENTATION ,DATABASE management ,BENCHMARKING (Management) ,QUALITY assurance ,JOB satisfaction ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,FILES (Records) ,ELECTRONIC health records - Abstract
BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons requires continuous process improvement review to maintain trauma center verification. Paper-based systems to monitor and track performance improvement are commonly used but can be inadequate to monitor concurrent ongoing improvement effectively. OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of an electronic process to capture and monitor performance improvement in near real time. METHODS: In 2020, a Midwestern U.S. Level I adult trauma center and a Level II pediatric trauma center's trauma programs transitioned from a paper to an electronic file-sharing system for performance improvement. We converted our primary, secondary, and tertiary review documentation into a single electronic performance improvement file stored on the institution's virtual hard drive, accessible to designated staff, allowing continuous real-time updates. RESULTS: The electronic file-sharing and monitoring process reinvigorated the team and enhanced performance improvement efforts, leading to increased efficiency through documentation and effective loop closure. Real-time monitoring allowed the trauma program to identify opportunities for improvement and enact timely action plans, including targeted performance improvement projects, department education, and ongoing training. CONCLUSION: We found that implementing an electronic file-sharing system enhanced the trauma team's ability to monitor and trend performance improvement in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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