West Virginia Healthcare Safety, Quality and Experience Improvement Research Day highlights advancements in patient care

The annual West Virginia Healthcare Safety, Quality and Experience Improvement Research Day was held Tuesday, Feb. 27, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. More than 80 presenters from across WVU Health Sciences and the WVU Medicine system came together to highlight their efforts to improve patient care and inspire colleagues to implement ideas.

The event is hosted jointly by the West Virginia University School of Medicine Department of Graduate Medical Education and WVU Medicine Quality Outcomes Department. 

Organizers say the event aimed to showcase outstanding Healthcare Safety, Quality, and Experience Improvement projects, ignite inspiration and stimulate fresh thinking.

“By fostering shared learning of the latest research, providing a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, and facilitating networking, we strive to accelerate progress in healthcare,” said Shardi Udassi, M.D., associate chief quality officer for WVU Medicine.

Harold Pincus, M.D., professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Healthcare Policy and Management and co-director of the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research at Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, served as the keynote speaker. Additional presentations included WVU Medicine leaders, Mike Edmond, M.D., and Allison Suttle, M.D.

Participants viewed more than 70 posters and heard 10 oral presentations on three topics: healthcare safety, quality/performance improvement, and healthcare experience for patients, families and staff.

First place poster winner: “A Workshop to Improve Resident Knowledge and Confidence on End-of-Life Care Topics” – Jane Tuttle, M.D., Ambika Ramesh, D.O.; Rachel Salyer, Ph.D.; Michelle Hartzell, D.O.; Melissa Roberts, M.D.; Hiba Khan, M.D.; Sarah Sofka, M.D.; Katie Seachrist, M.D.

The first-place poster winners created a workshop for incoming interns fresh from medical school to help them better learn how to navigate difficult conversations with patients. Interns begin with two hypothetical patients with difficult diagnoses and break into small groups to discuss approaching the conversation.

The team spent two years developing the workshop before piloting it with the incoming 2023 intern class.

According to team members, some of the most important skills needed to be successful in Hospice and Palliative Care positions are effective communication skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence.

First-place oral presentation winner: Embrace the HUSH: “Help Us Support Healing” –  WVU Medicine Project Manager for Patient Experience Kenneth Phares, Terry Kisner and includes Aubrey Montgomery and Jeff Schiffbauer

Can patients have an improved in-patient experience if the hospital provides quieter conditions at night? The team explored this topic using patient discharge feedback surveys and found that one of the lowest-rated experience questions centered around quietness at night. Only around 50% of patients said their stay was quiet at night.

According to the team, improving sleep quality throughout the night could result in fewer patients falling or being confused. Some members serve on a newly formed interdisciplinary committee dedicated to improving these issues.

The team has implemented “Cluster Care,” a strategy that helps limit the time staff spend in patients’ rooms throughout the night by clustering all the overnight medication or treatment they will need into one visit. Additionally, they limit overnight staff on units to limit noise and have a specific process for waking patients if necessary.

“We’re impressed with the turnout and passion behind all of the projects highlighted during the fair and hope to carry this momentum forward, refine our approaches and celebrate everyone who continues to make the patient experience at WVU Medicine the best it can possibly be,” Udassi added.

For future events, organizers hope to expand their reach and impact.

“We aspire to engage healthcare organizations regionally, nationally, and internationally, making this event a beacon of innovation and collaboration,” Udassi said. “Utilizing cutting-edge technology, such as live streaming and virtual platforms, we aim to maximize participation and serve our communities in the most impactful way possible.”

For a full list of winners and more information, visit go.wvu.edu/QIfair2024.

--WVU--