Austin Health

Title
Protocol describing a systematic review and mixed methods consensus process to define the deteriorated ward patient.
Publication Date
2022-09-19
Author(s)
Malycha, James
Andersen, Chris
Redfern, Oliver C
Peake, Sandra
Subbe, Christian
Dykes, Lukah
Phillips, Adam
Ludbrook, Guy
Young, Duncan
Watkinson, Peter J
Flabouris, Arthas
Jones, Daryl A
Subject
Adult intensive & critical care
Health & safety
Health informatics
Quality in health care
Risk management
Type of document
Journal Article
OrcId
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9668-1431
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3110-8888
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6925-4277
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1023-3927
DOI
10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057614
Abstract
Most patients admitted to hospital recover with treatments that can be administered on the general ward. A small but important group deteriorate however and require augmented organ support in areas with increased nursing to patient ratios. In observational studies evaluating this cohort, proxy outcomes such as unplanned intensive care unit admission, cardiac arrest and death are used. These outcome measures introduce subjectivity and variability, which in turn hinders the development and accuracy of the increasing numbers of electronic medical record (EMR) linked digital tools designed to predict clinical deterioration. Here, we describe a protocol for developing a new outcome measure using mixed methods to address these limitations. We will undertake firstly, a systematic literature review to identify existing generic, syndrome-specific and organ-specific definitions for clinically deteriorated, hospitalised adult patients. Secondly, an international modified Delphi study to generate a short list of candidate definitions. Thirdly, a nominal group technique (NGT) (using a trained facilitator) will take a diverse group of stakeholders through a structured process to generate a consensus definition. The NGT process will be informed by the data generated from the first two stages. The definition(s) for the deteriorated ward patient will be readily extractable from the EMR. This study has ethics approval (reference 16399) from the Central Adelaide Local Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee. Results generated from this study will be disseminated through publication and presentation at national and international scientific meetings.
Link
Citation
BMJ Open 2022-09-19; 12(9): e057614
Jornal Title
BMJ Open

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