A SURVEY TO ASSESS REHAB THERAPY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF THE MDT

BACKGROUND

Physical rehabilitation is related to better surgical and medical outcomes for patients (WHO, 2021). In hospitals, the role of the rehab team is essential to promote faster and better recovery and to prevent falls (Brett et al., 2019). We wanted to review the communication between the rehab, nursing, and medical team to aid discharge planning. Better communication can reduce repetition.

METHODS

A baseline survey was given to doctors, nurses, and rehab staff in a geriatric ward to review communication. The intervention was an A4 template highlighting the patients’ baseline and current function, which was placed by the bedside. A repeat survey was done to evaluate the effectiveness.

RESULTS

Survey 1 had 13 participants. Survey 2 had 25 participants. At least 90% of doctors and nurses strongly agree that they need to know patients’ ability to transfer, mobilise, wash, dress and falls risks. One hundred per cent of the rehab team agrees that patients’ rehab status is not clearly communicated between different members of the MDT which improved to 71.4% after the intervention. After the intervention, 20% of doctors agree that they struggle to find rehab status information, compared to 66.6% before, and 60% of doctors agree that they still find themselves asking other members of the MDT about patients’ rehab status, compared to only 37.5% of nurses.

CONCLUSION

To know patients’ rehab status is extremely important for their medical management, nursing management, and for their safety. A simple intervention had improved the awareness of patient rehab status, reducing time wasted on repetition. Another cycle to further improve communication by a teaching session will be conducted at each rotation to ensure sustainability.