Date of Graduation
Fall 12-13-2024
Document Access
Project/Capstone - Global access
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
College/School
School of Nursing and Health Professions
Program
Kaiser cohort MSN capstone
First Advisor
Nneka Chukwu
Abstract
Abstract
Objective/Background
This project aims to establish efficient access to medical supplies in operating rooms, essential for timely patient care and preventing adverse outcomes, using evidence-based guidelines. Poorly stocked or disorganized pediatric anesthesia carts lead to safety risks, workflow disruptions, and unclear restocking responsibilities. Despite efforts to improve cart management at Hospital C, challenges persist, including inconsistent inventory practices, outdated systems, and a lack of baseline data for evaluation. Resolving these issues is critical to aligning the unit's practices with hospital-wide goals for efficiency and patient safety.
Aim
This quality improvement project aims to train 80% of anesthesia technicians in proper stocking procedures for portable pediatric anesthesia lockers within three months.
Methods Using recommendations for interventions include standardizing inventory with placards, reorganizing carts by usage, and assigning restocking roles. Staff surveys and metrics on delays, cart use, and expired items will measure improvements against best practices.
Results The results revealed that 66.67% of respondents believe gathering supplies from the supply room takes four or more minutes. Additionally, 81.8% of respondents indicated that anesthesia technicians should be responsible for stocking. Interviews with key stakeholders, including a pediatric physician, controller, and materials management staff, revealed that there is still a lack of necessary supplies in the supply room, along with complaints about requested items not being stocked. This issue leads to delays in care and increases waste and costs when supplies overflow from the daily ordering and expire. The education component of this project also achieved notable success. Thirteen of sixteen anesthesia technicians (81.25%) were successfully trained on the CHAT handoff tool and standardized checklist, meeting the education rate goal outlined in the aim statement.
Conclusions: Standardizing pediatric anesthesia carts is expected to enhance workflow, reduce delays, and clarify roles, boosting staff morale. The project aims to establish a sustainable inventory framework adaptable to other units, emphasizing the value of systematic clinical improvements. If interventions such as increasing PAR levels and creating a standardized handoff with a checklist are implemented, outcome measurements will include a decrease in expired materials and an increase in the completion of pediatric C-locker stocking
Recommended Citation
Thomsen, Puleiaava Basil, "Delays in Care Due to Inaccessibility of Essential Medical Items in Surgical Unit" (2024). Master's Projects and Capstones. 1835.
https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/1835
