Resource Optimization in the Intensive Care Unit Setting

Resource Optimization in the Intensive Care Unit Setting: A Staff Education and Scheduling Pilot Study to Improve Treatment Decisions and Staff Satisfaction

The purpose of the study is to facilitate cost-effective, high quality care within the the ICUs of two Ottawa teaching hospitals through educational workshops and nurse scheduling optimization.

This intervention pilot study has been developed for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) physicians and nurses by the Resource Optimization Network (RON) for implementation in The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) Civic Campus and the Montfort Hospital. The intervention targets ICU staff and is designed to reduce overall costs associated with ICU health care service delivery and improve staff satisfaction through reducing stress and associated burnout without sacrificing quality of care and patient outcomes. The intervention involves two components that (a) build ICU staffs' (i.e. physicians and nurses) knowledge to facilitate cost-effective and evidence-based decision making about patient care (including tests, treatments, and procedures); and (b) optimize nurse scheduling to ensure the presence of the appropriate number of nurses per shift, thereby reducing stress, burnout and limiting the need for overtime. To evaluate the impact of the intervention, a pre/post-intervention design will be employed, with a 3-month pre-intervention period, followed by a 6-month intervention period and a 3-month post-intervention period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Employees aged 18 year and older who provide direct patient care in the ICU at the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital or the Montfort Hospital as physicians, nurses, or allied health professionals (e.g., respiratory therapists, occupational therapists).

Exclusion Criteria:

• N/A