Collaboration, supervision and patient safety in the era of COVID-19: an analysis of medical wards and ICU

Ir J Med Sci. 2022 Jun;191(3):1085-1087. doi: 10.1007/s11845-021-02693-1. Epub 2021 Jul 4.

Abstract

Aims: COVID-19 resulted in significant changes across medical wards and ICU in St James's Hospital Dublin. This included the implementation of ward-based medical teams (WBMT). The purpose of this study was to identify how these structural changes affected inter-professional collaboration, supervision and patient safety.

Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to doctors working on medical wards and ICU at the height of the first wave of COVID-19. The sense of collaboration, patient safety and supervision were assessed.

Results: Fifty-three doctors took part in the study. Thirty-three (62%) felt that collaboration was better than normal. Forty-six (87%) of participants described supervision as "good" or "excellent". Thirty-one out of 40 participants (77%) felt that patient safety was better than normal.

Discussion: Implementation of WBMT may result in improved sense of collaboration, supervision and patient safety during COVID-19; however, the increased sense of solidarity and comradery felt during the initial surge make drawing these conclusions challenging.

Keywords: COVID-19; Collaboration; Patient safety; Supervision; Ward-based medical care.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Patient Safety
  • Physicians*