Goal-Directed Achievement Through Geographic Location (GAGL) Reduces Patient Length of Stay and Adverse Events

Am J Med Qual. 2020 Jul/Aug;35(4):323-329. doi: 10.1177/1062860619879977. Epub 2019 Oct 4.

Abstract

This prospective cohort study aimed to improve hospital outcomes through geographic location of hospitalist patients and conducting daily multidisciplinary team rounds-Goal-directed Achievements through Geographic Location (GAGL). Patients were admitted to a geographic (GAGL) study unit where daily multidisciplinary rounds took place among nursing, case management, a hospitalist, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and nutrition services. A total of 985 (56.4%) patients were admitted to the GAGL study unit and 760 patients (43.6%) were admitted to non-GAGL units. Patients admitted to the GAGL study unit had a shorter average length of stay (3.64 days vs 4.35 days, P = .0001) and a lower number of risk events (91 [9.2%] vs 93 [12.2%], P = .038). There was no significant difference in 30-day readmissions, avoidable day events, or code blue team activations. GAGL provides a framework for hospital organizations to improve provider communication, hospital efficiency, and patient safety.

Keywords: geographic; interdisciplinary; length of stay; risk events; rounding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Communication
  • Efficiency, Organizational
  • Female
  • Goals*
  • Hospitalists / organization & administration*
  • Hospitals, Teaching
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
  • Patient Safety
  • Professional Role
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality Improvement / organization & administration*
  • Risk Factors
  • Teaching Rounds / organization & administration*