In December 2023, the Adult Services unit at Kaiser Permanente Vallejo introduced the “Roadmap to Home” communication boards, spearheaded by Marisa Flores, BSN, RN PCCN, SNIII, and 4East manager Maria Martin, BSN, RN. Piloted in 4East, these boards aim to enhance patient involvement by providing a clear, visual guide to their care journey. They focus on individual goals, medication education, pain management, safety measures, and transparency with care teams, empowering patients to take an active role in their recovery.
The initiative also integrated seamlessly into the “My Meds Matter” pilot by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and leveraging technology, utilizing HealthConnect to enhance nurse documentation and improve medication education for patients. This program focuses on providing first-dose medication education directly at the bedside, ensuring patients fully understand their treatments and fostering a more informed approach to their care.
Champions from each unit played a critical role, leading staff training, reinforcing education during shift huddles, and monitoring compliance through audits. Their dedication ensured the boards were effectively implemented across telemetry and medical-surgical units.
The impact is reflected in HCAHPS data. Nurse Communication scores were 91.1 in December 2023, reflecting initial adjustments. By March 2024, scores rose to 94.4, achieving 4-star performance. Likewise, Likelihood to Recommend scores improved from 88.6 in December to 92.2 by August 2024, reaching top-tier benchmarks.
Despite initial challenges, the communication boards have proven to be a vital tool in improving the patient experience. They address patient needs holistically, reinforcing Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to patient-centered care and fostering transparency across the Adult Services department.