Evaluating the Impact of an Admission Huddle on Communication and Work Environment for Nurses on A Neurological Step-Down Unit

Abstract

Background and Significance: An estimated 6,000 individuals die in New York State annually from Cerebral Vascular Accidents. Neurological nurses have a responsibility to identify stroke risk factors in their patients and to communicate and educate them accordingly. Huddles are a method of communication that entail brief, frequent, and consistent communication among healthcare members to achieve common goals, such as patient safety, staff satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and positive health outcomes. Purpose, Aims, and Objective: The purpose of this Doctor of nursing Practice (DNP) was to develop an educational tool in the form of an evidence-based PowerPoint presentation with a pre and post intervention questionnaire on methods of conducting an admission huddle for nurses on a Neurological Step-Down Unit in an urban Buffalo Hospital. The aims and objective of this project were to improve staff efficiency and patient flow throughout the Unit and to improve nursing communication and team building during admission huddles through the creation and dissemination of an evidence-based PowerPoint presentation with a pre and post intervention questionnaire on methods of conducting an admission huddle for use by the neurological nurses on the Unit. Theological Framework: This DNP project was guided by Neuman’s systems model. Project Methods and Design Findings resulting from a review of the literature as well as current recommendations guided the creation of the evidence-based PowerPoint presentation and the pre and post-test. Results: The PowerPoint and the pre and post intervention questionnaires were disseminated to the Unit manager for future planned implementation and evaluation.