(P223) ENSURING STANDARDIZED BEST PRACTICE WITHIN THE PHYSIOTHERAPY PORTFOLIO: STRATEGIES TO IDENTIFYING AND BRIDGING THE GAP

Background:
Our tertiary cardiac institution is committed to ensuring the ongoing quality improvement of all clinical programs, to improve patient outcomes and quality of care. Bringing forward innovative strategies to ensure patients, under the expertise and care of a Physiotherapist, are receiving systematic, standardized, best practice care (BPC) to align with our institution’s core values and corporate quality framework. As noted within all healthcare institutions nationally, recent challenges in the turnover of health care professionals have resulted in a greater proportion of novice physiotherapy staff, creating gaps in knowledge and clinical care expertise. This change in the healthcare environment requires leaders to develop systems that identify and bridge these gaps to support quality patient care.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The team leader (TL) developed an audit tool based on guidelines for cardiorespiratory physiotherapy and college standards. All staff were audited from patient charts randomly selected within 6-month blocks, to identify areas that require further education or support.
A comprehensive examination of each patient’s hospitalization was performed, including physiotherapy and medical documentation to better understand the flow of physiotherapy interventions provided, ensuring all testing or appropriate referrals were completed. Feedback was then provided to all physiotherapists through private informal discussions. Common concerns were addressed at monthly staff meetings to facilitate group discussion and brainstorm solutions. When a significant professional practice issue was identified, such as an education gap, support was provided by leadership. The TL organized in-services and workshops to allow staff the opportunity to refresh their skills or gain new knowledge.

Implementation of this new quality practice has resulted in consistent demonstration of BPC in audited charts, regardless of which clinician provides the intervention. 40 patient charts and 80 physiotherapy notes were analyzed over a 12-month period. We observed a 10 percent improvement in physiotherapy staff (from 17 /20 to 19 /20) consistently completing standardized documentation and performing optimal interventions.

Conclusion: Standardized chart audits have proven effective in identifying gaps in patient care and supporting staff knowledge development, enhancing the skills and confidence of physiotherapists, and achieving BPC.
This methodology could be successfully added to other health disciplines to ensure our patients are receiving the highest quality of care while supporting the learning needs of novice health professionals in fast paced health care environments.