Accountable Care Unit improves length of stay and patient experience
Top Results
Overview
The implementation of the Accountable Care Unit (ACU) care model and Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds (SIBR) significantly improved length of stay, patient experience and discharge efficiency.
Objectives
To improve patient and care team satisfaction and efficiency by improving communication between the inpatient care team, patients and their families through implementation of the ACU and SIBR rounds.
Methods
Patients on a 36-bed unit were divided between two hospitalist physicians. Each patient was reviewed comprehensively by all disciplines to assess additional needs or interventions, with rounds conducted by a provider, coordinator, and bedside nurse at the bedside using a structured communication protocol.
Results
Patient Experience (HCAHPS)
Likelihood to Recommend (LTR) improved from the 61st to the 91st percentile.
Patient perception of physician communication improved from the 2nd to the 90th percentile.
Length of Stay and Efficiency
Length of Stay (LOS) reduced by 12 hours.
Discharge planning efficiency improved from 60 to 25 minutes per day for all patients.
Conclusion
The interdisciplinary collaboration model led to improved efficiency and patient experience metrics. The success of the pilot has generated enthusiasm to scale the ACU model across all medical-surgical units at Utah Valley Hospital. Future steps include transitioning to geographic rounding and ensuring hospitalist group buy-in. The impact on provider satisfaction will be studied moving forward.
