Standardising interdisciplinary rounds (IDR) structure using ‘TASSK-IT’: description of an innovative framework with positive preliminary outcomes data

Background Interdisciplinary rounds (IDR) are ubiquitous in hospitals; however, empirical outcomes data linked to a clearly defined standard framework remain lacking. Methods This is a pre/post-quasi-experimental study on five inpatient medicine units. The authors created a novel IDR framework TASSK-IT ( T iming, A ttendance, S teering, S cripted K ey elements and I nformation T echnology). They used patient list dashboards that extracted relevant information for each key element, developed a script that generates an assigned action plan and displayed them on large unit-based screens. All patients discharged from the units that implemented TASSK-IT were reviewed for improvements in observed: expected length of stay, Foley and central line catheter days and related infections, hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) and advance care planning (ACP) documentation. Results There was a reduction in O:E LOS (0.92 vs 0.84, p<0.001), percent of indwelling urinary catheter days per 1000 inpatient days (9.88% vs 4.52%, p<0.001), catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates per 1000 inpatient days (0.14 vs 0.03, p=0.002), central line days per 1000 inpatient days (7.7% vs 6.35%, p<0.001), central line-associated bloodstream infection rate per 1000 device and patient days (2.21 vs 0.43, p=0.002) and (0.17 vs 0.03, p=0.001), respectively, and HAPIs (3.13 vs 1.92, p=0.006). Documentation of ACP improved by completion of electronic medical orders for life-sustaining treatment (EMOLST) (15.87% vs 67.22%, p<0.001) and ACP notes (45.22 vs 59.05%, p<0.001). Conclusion This descriptive analysis and implementation of TASSK-IT served as a novel structure of IDR that demonstrated a positive impact on patient outcomes.