Developing evidence-based interdisciplinary care standards and implications for improving patient safety.

Abstract

AIM: Establish an organizational infrastructure to foster the delivery of quality clinical care through the development of interdisciplinary patient care standards that are evidenced-based and consistent throughout IHC. DESIGN: Develop a process for document development, review, and approval that includes best evidence from research and input from clinical experts. RESULTS: After six years of development, the electronic reference InfoBase (a searchable online reference manual which provides easy access to standards for clinical practice throughout the organization) contains over 700 interdisciplinary patient care standards (e.g., protocols, procedures, standards of care) and over 1000 "information chunks" (e.g., assessments, instructions, scales, tables, graphics) that support consistency in care delivery. All documents have been written, based on the best evidence available from research and reviewed by a group of clinicians at IHC facilities and approved for use throughout the company. An example of how standardization of interdisciplinary standards can improve patient safety in the area of falls is also included.