Document Type

Course Project

Publication Date

7-31-2024

Abstract

The escalating number and complexity of critically ill individuals, aging population, and improved life-sustaining treatments have increased the demand for critical care beds. The projected intensive care nursing and intensivist shortage threatens the ability to provide safe, standardized care. Studies have shown favorable outcomes with the implementation of telemedicine ICU (tele-ICU). Significant costs are associated with adding human resources and technology to traditional care. A reduction in mortality and LOS is needed to demonstrate the return on investment of a tele-ICU model. This Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project aims to measure the effectiveness of tele-ICU on mortality and LOS in adult ICU patients. The project employed a retrospective pre-post comparison of independent groups, utilizing a convenience sample from two ICUs at a tertiary hospital. The pre-intervention group (N = 394) received traditional ICU care, while the post-intervention group (N = 413) received traditional care supplemented with tele-ICU. Tele-ICU services were limited to 6:30 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. Data for the pre-intervention period were collected from April 16, 2023, to May 29, 2023, and for the post-intervention period during the same dates in 2024. A t-test for independent samples revealed no significant difference in LOS between the groups. Additionally, a chi-square test showed no association between tele-ICU implementation and mortality rates. Further investigation is necessary to assess the effectiveness of tele-ICU on LOS and mortality rates as it is adopted in other ICUs within the health system

Language

English

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