Enhancing Emergency Department Safety: Implementation of a Dedicated Chest Drain Trolley to Optimize Care for Pneumothorax Patients
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Delays in accessing chest drain equipment in the Emergency Department (ED) posed significant risks to patient safety, particularly for those with life-threatening pneumothorax. This quality improvement project (QIP) aimed to reduce these delays by implementing a dedicated chest drain trolley using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology. Surveys and simulations identified key issues, including equipment inaccessibility and staff unfamiliarity, with baseline preparation times exceeding 20 minutes. Iterative changes, such as labeling drawers, reorganizing supplies, and creating checklists, reduced preparation times to 6-7 minutes. Real-case feedback highlighted improved efficiency, staff confidence, and patient safety. This project demonstrates the value of structured quality improvement approaches in enhancing emergency care.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.76489
Authors: Moustafa Elramlawy, Sunil Parmar, Adelaide Yue, Hany Abdelmasih, Michelle Denham, Annie Donaghy, Arif Ahmad, Basma Elshantory
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405844118