Maimonides Evening of Research
Performance Improvement
Deidre Grant MSN, RN AHN-BC
Quality Management
Becoming a Care Partner Designated Hospital using the EQIC Care Partner Framework
Objectives
A Care Partner (CP) is an individual identified by the patient to assist in their medical care during the hospital course and after discharge. The purpose of the CP program is to bridge gaps in team communication, while supporting the care plan. In June 2019, Maimonides Hospital made the commitment to implement a Care Partner Initiative in response to New York State CARE Act, which requires hospitals to provide patients the opportunity to identify their CP. Due to low identification rates, the initiative was re-invigorated in September 2022 to increase percentage of CP identified by 20% in six months, utilizing the HANYs Eastern US Quality Improvement Collaborative (EQIC) framework (Commit, Identify, Include and Prepare).
Methods
A multidisciplinary task force with representation from Senior Leadership, Nursing, Physicians, Patient Relations, Case Management, IT, Legal and Quality Management collaborated, utilizing the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) framework. Areas of opportunities were identified and a process map was used to clarify the new process. Changes were made to the electronic health record by adding CP documentation to admission notes, discharge notes and clinical summaries. A time series analysis was conducted from Jan 2022 through December 2023, using IT reports on inpatient adult discharges by month.
Results
During the baseline period in 2022, the average percentage of Care Partner Identified was 3.9%. Implementation changes occurred Jan 2023. The percentage of CP identified was 50.8% in June and ended in December with 75.2%. We concluded our 2023 results with a total average percentage of CP’s of 53.8% compared to 3.9% the previous year, exceeding our goal of 20% increase within six months. Our monthly data and implementation checklist were submitted to EQIC. In August 2023, Maimonides received EQIC HANYs Hospital Designation; one of three hospitals in New York State to receive this designation at the time.
Conclusion And Implication
Care partners are essential to our diverse and aging population at Maimonides. Our results show our patients want us to identify their care partners and include them in hospital care and discharge transitions. Becoming a Care Partner Designated Hospital represents our commitment to this initiative.