Implementing Communication Boards at the Bedside to Improve Patient-Centered Care in an Inpatient Obstetric Unit

OBJECTIVE: To implement use of custom whiteboards to improve bedside communication and shared knowledge between clinicians and patients. DESIGN: Quality improvement project using a seven-step evidence-based practice framework and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to redesign custom communication boards for specific patient (antepartum, labor, postpartum) populations. SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM: Two California university medical center inpatient obstetric units where Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores in nursing communication had trended down at a time when whiteboards were being underused in patient rooms. PARTICIPANTS: Staff of approximately 170 nurses, 30 physicians, and 8 midwives. INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS: The project was implemented from January 2020 through July 2020; the first phase was completed in the postpartum unit, and the second phase was completed in the antepartum unit. Staff surveys and board use audits were used to collect preimplementation and postimplementation data. Third-phase labor boards were designed but were not yet implemented due to budget constraints. RESULTS: Project data supported that the new boards encouraged more complete information and facilitated bedside communication better than the previous iteration. CONCLUSION: A customized communication board designed for a specific patient population is an effective tool to promote patient-centered care. Communication boards can reinforce safe nursing practice, facilitate discussion, and improve the patient experience.