Decreasing companion usage without negatively affecting patient outcomes: a performance improvement project.
The use of companions to monitor and care for patients at risk for adverse events is a long-standing practice with patients who require constant observation such as with suicide precautions. While offering a potential benefit of increased safety, the use of companions in subacute care is inefficient and poses an enormous financial strain on the health care system. Development of a protocol for assessing at-risk patients, and collaboration between care-givers through a performance improvement initiative, made it possible to reduce companion expenditure without negatively affecting patient outcomes.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012449:Safety