The standardized contact was developed and implemented at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio, in 2006. The process required nurses to contact physicians based on their contact preferences and schedules. The physician contact system is designed to eliminate reliance on error-prone processes, including use of paper-based records and answering machines.
A 2006 pilot study of the standardized contact process found that 84 percent of all attempted contacts directly reached the physician on the first call, resulting in an estimated 6,900 hours of saved time for nurses during the year.
For more details on this process, such as the planning and development process and adoption considerations, click here.
Related Articles on Healthcare Quality:
Physicians, Patients Should Discuss Necessity of Testing and Screening
Watchdog Group Asks 33 State Medical Boards to Identify Physicians With Problems
Inclusion of Post-Discharge MRSA Rates Significantly Alters Hospital Rankings
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.