Use of High-Fidelity Simulation to Enhance Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Reduce Patient Falls.

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to determine the effect of nurse/physician interdisciplinary team training on patient falls. Specifically, we evaluated team training in a simulation center as a method for targeting and minimizing breakdowns in perceptions of respect, collaboration, communication, and role misunderstanding behaviors between care disciplines.

Methods: Registered nurses (RNs) were randomly assigned to participate.

Using Bundled Interventions to Reduce Surgical Site Infection After Major Gynecologic Cancer Surgery.

Objective: To investigate whether implementing a bundle, defined as a set of evidence-based practices performed collectively, can reduce 30-day surgical site infections.

Methods: Baseline surgical site infection rates were determined retrospectively for cases of open uterine cancer, ovarian cancer without bowel resection, and ovarian cancer with bowel resection between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012, at an academic center. A perioperative bundle was prospectively implemented during the intervention period (August 1, 2013, to September 30, 2014).

Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Where Practice and Education Meet.

This article describes the processes used to implement a pressure ulcer management program in a Midwest academic medical center, which led to a decrease in reportable pressure ulcers. A learning needs assessment was completed, and a workgroup was formed to address the learning needs. Methods, materials, and processes included lectures, technology-enhanced learning, and interactive stations with mannequins and pressure ulcer moulages.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in microvascular breast reconstruction.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown in multiple surgical specialties to decrease hospital length of stay (LOS) after surgery, but they have not been described for patients undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction.

Study Design: A standardized ERAS pathway was developed through multidisciplinary collaboration which addressed all phases of surgical care for patients undergoing free-flap breast reconstruction using an abdominal donor site. Two surgeons used the ERAS pathway, and results were compared with a historical cohort of the same 2 surgeons' patients treated by traditional care after surgery (TRAS).

Enhanced recovery in gynecologic surgery.

Objective: To investigate the effects of enhanced recovery (a multimodal perioperative care enhancement protocol) in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery.

Methods: Consecutive patients managed under an enhanced recovery pathway and undergoing cytoreduction, surgical staging, or pelvic organ prolapse surgery between June 20, 2011, and December 20, 2011, were compared with consecutive historical controls (March to December 2010) matched by procedure. Wilcoxon rank-sum, χ, and Fisher's exact tests were used for comparisons.