Implementing Real Time Unit Maps
Leslie Martinez
Faculty advisor: Dr. Kathy Klimpel
BACKGROUND
● Studies indicated that in contrast to traditional
care, units maps were associated with
decreased in-patient mortality over five (5) years
for acute medical admissions, reduced length of
stay (LOS) on average by one day and
decreased waiting times for patient transfer from
ED” (Medical Assessment, 2013)
PURPOSE
● Provides quick snapshot of patient status and
demographic information that did not go against
the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations
● Provided rapid physician assessment
● Decreased patient turnover time
● Facilitated patient flow
● Improving quality of care for patients, overall
safety, and organizational compliance
PROJECT WORKFLOW
PICOT DISCUSSION ON METHOD OF INTEGRATION
For staff in an emergency department, does ● Physical Considerations:
implementing real time unit maps versus static ○ Nursing staff & scheduler involvement
maps improve patient turnover time and ○ Convenience for staff
facilitate patient flow over the first month after ○ Workflow efficiency
implementation? ● Technical Considerations:
● Population: Staff in RCHSD emergency department ○ User friendly displays on all touch screen
● Intervention: Implementation of real time unit maps monitors, Conduct regular auditing of
● Comparison: Static maps activities
● Outcome: Interactive, easy-to-use visualizations, ● Support:
improved patient turnover
○ Management and maintenance of system
● Time: Data available in real-time, anytime.
○ Super user group for problem solving
Implementation Timeline ○ EPIC management support
● Appearance:
Before Implementation:
○ Pop-up windows for irregular alerts
We completed the assessment on-site and had no
prior communication with patients ○ User intuitive display
Total Time: 6 months ○ Communicate integrate unit map views
Total Cost: $15, 000 (estimate)
MONITORING & EVALUATION OF UNIT MAPS
● Performance Measures:
○ Software defects, Reliability, Data Latency, Assess
clinician and patient/ scheduler workflow
● Outcome Measures:
○ Patient outcomes, Targeting adherence to
protocols
● Process Measures:
○ Access live unit map effect
● Improving Systems:
○ Continuous modifications, Staff feedback for
systems features
● User Acceptance:
○ Following guidelines (CDC, Professional Societies),
Staff surveys
 Implementing Real Time Unit Maps
Leslie Martinez
Faculty advisor: Dr. Kathy Klimpel

RCHSD ED UNIT MAP DESIGNS LIVE IMPLEMENTATION AT RCHSD

DISCUSSION

● Presenting patient data that is visually appealing

to staff and easy to read
● Provided rapid real time notes
● Expect there to be many iterations of the unit
maps at the Rady Children’s Hospital, San
Diego - Emergency Department
● Facilitated patient flow
● Improving quality of care for patients, overall
safety, and organizational compliance