Utilization of an innovative tool to improve oncology patient outcomes.

231 Background: Introduction of an electronic board can improve interdisciplinary communication to ensure early intervention and improve patient outcomes. Early detection and prevention is key. The early stages of physiologic demise may be demonstrated by subtle changes in the patient's vital signs. The purpose of this study was to implement a visual tool to indicate and update the acuity of patients on the oncology unit. The parameters displayed included vital signs, Hendrich, and Braden scale. The goal of the electronic board was to create a continuously accessible resource for the interdisciplinary team for rapid assessment of the patient's condition throughout rounds and all shifts.

METHODS: This electronic board produces a color-coded alarm for abnormal parameters. Vital signs highlighted in red indicate the urgency for assessment and intervention. The Hendrich score displayed in yellow alerts all disciplines of fall risk patients. The Braden scale, color-coded purple, identifies patients at risk for skin breakdown. Improvement in early and rapid identification of patient deterioration and risk was analyzed using two months of post implementation data from the electronic health record. A survey was sent to all disciplines to qualitatively measure the value of this tool.

RESULTS: Abnormal vital signs identified from the facility board led to clinician interventions impacting 27% of admitted patients in the first two months. Falls decreased by 33% after the first month of implementation. The number of specialty beds ordered increased by 32% for patients identified at risk for skin breakdown. Twenty-five survey responses illustrated 71% of the interdisciplinary team that replied used the facility board and 68% confirmed improvement in interdepartmental communication.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between early intervention and decreased mortality rate in acutely ill cancer patients. The continuous display of pertinent patient data on an electronic board holds clinicians accountable to recognize and provide early intervention thus impacting oncology patient outcomes. This innovative tool will further enhance outcomes as we move to interfacing our vital signs monitor into our electronic health record.