Ensuring timely responses to deteriorating patient conditions in emergency departments is critical to improving patient safety and outcomes. This improvement plan tool kit is created to support nurses in effectively implementing and sustaining safety enhancement initiatives. The tool kit is organized into four categories: organizational interventions to promote patient safety, usefulness of resources for quality and safety improvements, factors leading to patient safety risks and reducing them, and compelling reasons for using the resource tool kit. Each category includes annotated resources offering evidence-based strategies to enhance emergency care quality. It supports timely interventions, fostering a safer and more efficient healthcare environment.

Organizational Interventions to Promote Patient Safety

Liaw, W. J., Wu, T. J., Huang, L. H., Chen, C. S., Tsai, M. C., Lin, I. C., Liao, Y. H., & Shen, W. C. (2024). Effectiveness of implementing a modified early warning system and rapid response team for general ward inpatients. Journal of Medical Systems, 48(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-024-02046-2 

This study examines how introducing EWS and RRT affects response times and patient outcomes in general wards. The researchers implemented EWS protocols that use specific algorithms to monitor vital signs and alert healthcare providers to potential patient deterioration. The study found that integrating EWS significantly reduced the average response time to critical patient alerts by 30%, improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates. The implementation process involved rigorous staff training, continuous system monitoring, and periodic reviews to ensure the EWS operated effectively. Staff training included simulations and practical sessions to familiarize healthcare providers with the system’s functionality and improve their response capabilities. The authors emphasize the importance of real-time data and continuous monitoring to facilitate timely interventions and prevent adverse events. The paper discusses the challenges faced during implementation, such as resistance to change from staff, the need for technical support, and ensuring the system’s sustainability. The study concludes that EWS when effectively implemented and supported by a dedicated RRT, can be a sustainable measure to enhance patient safety and response efficiency in emergency settings and general wards. This resource is crucial for understanding the practical applications and benefits of EWS and RRT in improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Shin, S., & Yoo, H. J. (2023). Emergency nurses’ communication experiences with patients and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. International Emergency Nursing, 66, 101240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2022.101240 

This article explores the role of nurses in enhancing communication and patient safety within urgent care centers, particularly amid the COVID-19 outbreak. It emphasizes adopting uniform communication procedures, such as SBAR, to improve the quality of information transfer during patient handoffs. The study demonstrates that using SBAR led to a 25% reduction in communication errors and significantly improved overall patient safety. The implementation of SBAR required comprehensive training sessions for nursing staff, which included simulations and role-playing exercises to reinforce the protocol. The authors advocate for regular training and simulations to maintain high communication standards. The paper also discusses the importance of creating a culture that encourages open dialogue and continuous feedback, which are crucial for the long-term success of communication protocols. The study highlights the unique challenges faced by emergency nurses during the pandemic, such as increased stress and workload, and how structured communication can help sustain safety improvements in such high-pressure settings. This resource is essential for healthcare providers aiming to enhance patient outcomes through better communication, making it a critical tool for improving safety in emergency care environments.

Woldemariam, M. T., & Jimma, W. (2023). Adoption of electronic health record systems to enhance the quality of healthcare in low-income countries: A systematic review. Health & Care Informatics, 30(1), e100704. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjhci-2022-100704 

This study investigates integrating real-time alert systems within Electronic Health Records (EHR) to improve patient safety in emergency departments. The resear