Impact of the implementation of Identification-Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (ISBAR) tool to improve quality and safety measure in a lithotripsy and endourological unit

INTRODUCTION: A lack of professional communication and collaboration may be one of the main causes of medication errors. The objective was to evaluate the results of the implementation of ISBAR as a communication and safety tool in a Lithotripsy and Endourologic Unit of a tertiary public hospital. METHODS: A total of 457 patients were included in a retrospective study from 2014 to 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (357 patients) in which an endourological procedure was performed before march of 2018 (without the implementation of ISBAR tool) and Group B (100 patients) with the implementation of ISBAR tool. The inclusion criteria were patients accepted for surgical intervention by anaesthesiology Department and operated in the period of the study. The variables analysed included number of procedures, global, intraoperative and postoperative complications rate, urinary infection or sepsis, NPR (FMEA), percentage of suspended surgical patients and hospital stay. RESULTS: The postoperative complications showed no significant differences between groups, but a trend to diminishing was seen in the complication in the group B. The sepsis reduced its incidence and it was close to significant difference. The operative time was shorter in group B 119,11min (114,63–123,59) vs 115,11min (109,63–121,67) p = 0,3. The reduction in the main postoperative complication (sepsis) explained the lower hospital stay for group B. The severe adverse events detected were reduced completely. CONCLUSIONS: ISBAR tool was an effective patient safety tool improving quality care. To provide safe patient care and improving quality is indispensable an effective communication flow.