Understand how to use and implement trigger tools as part of your improvement journey
It is vital, when attempting to improve any system, to use measures that can indicate whether the changes made resulted in an improvement. This is essential in healthcare because the underpinning philosophy of all healthcare organizations is to do no harm. Understanding both the level of harm already in a system (baseline) and also the nature of the problem (e.g. type of harm and where it occurs) is essential before commencing any improvement initiatives.
Trigger tools have the ability to provide an overall measure of harm typically defined by Adverse Event Rate per 1000 patient days. Therefore, understanding how to use and implement trigger tools is an important first step in the improvement journey.
We offer robust IHI Global Trigger Tool* training programs to healthcare partners that are at different stages (1) Introductory, (2) Continued Education, (3) Customized Training:
Recommended for organizations that have not used the GTT before, or have used it but without sustainable success, or would like to implement a systematic solution across a health system.
Our clinical experts lead an onsite, hands-on training session which covers several training components:
Global Trigger Tool Overview- Background of the IHI GTT
- Leadership and Physician/Clinical Engagement
- GTT Use with clinical improvement
- Expert-led review of case vignettes that demonstrate key GTT principles
- Discussion and review of methodology and subsequent documentation
- Definition of Error
- Harm vs. Error
- Severity Rating
- AE Rules and Standards
- Primary and Physician reviewers independently review cases and document findings
- Expert-led review of key lessons and findings from each training record
- Expert-led discussion on how to document and subsequently access AE findings
- Collection and use of key metrics
- Sharing of data
- Acting on data
Our clinical experts lead monthly web0based training sessions for those organizations that have either completed the above (1) onsite training, or have been using a GTT program and would like a refresher course. The number of sessions will be specific for each hospital partner’s needs.
The typical topics covered include the following:
Refresh/Review of Global Trigger Tool- GTT History
- Key Conceptual Framework
- Case Study Review
- Methodology Review
- Expert-led review of client-specific cases/records
- Discussion and review of methodology and subsequent documentation
- Review hospital-specific AE Findings and any issues identified
- Troubleshoot any unusual findings
- Assess leadership engagement and comfort with the data
- Expert-led discussion on how to effectively share AE data to encourage learning and ultimately identification of improvement opportunities
Our clinical experts can be available for hospital-specific customized training that may focus on a specific clinical issue or trigger focus (e.g. ADE Triggers, Perinatal Triggers, etc.). Each component of the training will be specific to the hospital partner’s needs and trigger focus.
In sum, Pascal Metrics provides this training to enable healthcare organizations and their teams successfully implement a GTT program. Additionally, once implemented organizations can identify opportunities for interventions that will focus on improving the safety and quality of care that their patients receive.
Benefits
- Improved Interrater Reliability
- Improved quality of documentation
- Understanding of how to use patient stories for learning
- Document adverse events more efficiently for intervention targeting
Want to understand how we would approach your particular clinical environment?
Email experience@pascalmetrics.com or call us at +1 202 333 9090.
* Global Trigger Tool and IHI Global Trigger Tool are trademarks of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (www.ihi.org).
