Project TICKER News
Clinical Pathway Implementation Continues
The March 2013 TICKER newsletter describes the continued pathway development and the trend toward decreased length of stay. Also included is an article written by TICKER investigators Drs. Tina Schade Willis, Scott Buck, and Michael Mill for this month's winter edition of the AAP Quality Connections.
Milestones Achieved
Accomplishments of Project TICKER were presented at a milestone celebration October 24, 2012. Although September marked the end of the two-year project, we will continue activities with remaining grant funds.
More Teamwork Improvements!
The Children’s Intermediate Cardiac Care unit (CICC) is the third project area, along with the cardiothoracic OR team and Newborn Critical Care Center, to show statistically significant improvement in teamwork scores between baseline and post-intervention, as measured by the Team Events Assessment Non-Technical Skills (TENTS) observation tool. Team events observed included morning rounds and briefings. The CICC is the first non-ICU Children’s Inpatient unit that has completed training for the majority of the multidisciplinary members working on that unit.
NCCC Improves Teamwork Scores
The Neonatal Critical Care Center (NCCC) showed statistically significant improvement in teamwork scores between baseline and post-intervention, as measured by the Team Events Assessment Non-Technical Skills (TENTS) observation tool. Team events observed included morning rounds and briefings.
Project TICKER Spring newsletter
During the previous quarter, we held a communication learning session with family advisors and made more progress on the integrated clinical pathway for VSD repairs. We also thank our interns who conducted teamwork observations for the project evaluation.
TICKER Poster Presented at International Conference
Dr. Tina Schade Willis, principal investigator for Project TICKER, presented a poster titled, "Improved Teamwork in a Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Operating Suite," at the 17th International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare April 17-20, 2012.
Project TICKER Winter newsletter
During the previous quarter, we achieved our aim of providing teamwork training to personnel throughout the pediatric cardiac surgery service line and made progress toward our aim of developing integrated clinical pathways, including involvement from TICKER family advisors.
TICKER Quality Improvement Conference Held
A multidisciplinary team, representing all sub-specialties treating pediatric cardiac surgery patients, met January 23 to review data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) national database. As a result of the meeting, work groups were formed to address care for common complications.
ICP Tools Made Available
Several pilots have been completed, testing integrated clinical pathways tools for patients with ventrical septal defect (VSD). Now available from the toolkit are Daily Goals Sheets for the day of surgery, post-operative days 1 and 2, and goals for discharge.
Abstract Accepted at International Conference
Dr. Tina Willis, principal investigator for Project TICKER, will present a poster titled, Improved Teamwork in a Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Operating Suite, at the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare in April 2012.
Project TICKER Fall newsletter
Project TICKER's latest newsletter includes progress made toward infrastructure development, length of stay goals, and information regarding physician credit for maintenance of certification.
Third Quarter Results Presented
Dr. Tina Willis, Principal Investigator for Project TICKER, presented project progress at the Multidisciplinary Advisory Group meeting September 13.
Pediatric Cardiac Intra-operative Phase Complete
The pediatric cardiac OR team has improved teamwork and made progress toward standardized guidelines for care, as documented in a report distributed to OR leadership across the institution.
Project TICKER Summer newsletter
Project TICKER (Teamwork to Improve Cardiac Kids' End Results) aims to implement a patient- and family‐centered safe practice infrastructure for pediatric congenital heart disease patients at the N.C. Children’s Hospital. The summer newsletter offers updates on their progress.
Project TICKER underway; first newsletter published
Project TICKER (Teamwork to Improve Cardiac Kids' End Results), which began in September of last year, aims to implement a patient- and family-centered safe practice infrastructure for pediatric congenital heart disease patients at N.C. Children’s Hospital.
Willis PI on $580,000 AHRQ grant
Dr. Tina Schade Willis is Principal Investigator (Co-Investigators are Drs. Michael Mill and Scott Buck) on a research project funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The $574,523 project, Teamwork to Improve Cardiac Kids’ End Results (Project TICKER), aims to implement a tailored TeamSTEPPS training program and integrated clinical pathways in a pediatric congenital heart disease patient population.
