Using the Global Trigger Tool in surgical and neurosurgical patients: A feasibility study

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 17; no. 8; p. e0272853
• Main Authors: Brösterhaus, Mareen, Hammer, Antje, Gruber, Rosalie, Kalina, Steffen, Grau, Stefan, Roeth, Anjali A, Ashmawy, Hany, Groß, Thomas, Binnebösel, Marcel, Knoefel, Wolfram Trudo, Manser, Tanja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Francisco Public Library of Science 16-08-2022; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Barriers; Biology and Life Sciences; Clinical medicine; Computer and Information Sciences; Criteria; Data entry; Departments; Engineering and Technology; Evaluation; Feasibility studies; Health care industry; Health risks; Hospitals; Management; Medical ethics; Medical records; Medicine and Health Sciences; Neurosurgery; Organizational aspects; Patient safety; Patients; People and Places; Research and Analysis Methods; Research ethics; Safety and security measures; Science Policy; Surgery; Surgical instruments; Germany
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272853

Background The Global Trigger Tool (GTT) has become a worldwide used method for estimating adverse events through a retrospective patient record review. However, little is known about the facilitators and the challenges in the GTT-implementation process. Thus, this study followed two aims: First, to apply a comprehensive set of feasibility criteria to qualitatively and systematically assess the GTT-implementation process in three departments of German university hospitals. Second, to identify the facilitators and the obstacles met in the GTT-implementation process and to derive recommendations for supporting other hospitals in implementing the GTT in clinical practice. Methods The study used a qualitative documentary method based on process documentation, with written and verbal feedback from the reviewer, as well as evaluating the study sites during the implementation process. The study was conducted in three departments, each in a different German university hospital. The authors applied a comprehensive set of 22 feasibility criteria assessing the level of challenge in GTT implementation. The results were synthesized and they focused on the facilitators and the challenges. Results Of these 22 feasibility criteria, nine were assessed as a low-level challenge, eleven regarded as a moderate-level challenge, and two with a problematic level of challenge. In particular, the lack of time and staff resources, the quality of the information in the patient records, organizational procedures, and local issues, posed major challenges in the implementation process. By contrast, the use of local coordinators and an external expert made important contributions to the GTT implementation. Conclusions Considering the facilitators and the obstacles beforehand may help with the implementation of the GTT in routine practice. In particular, early and effective planning can reduce or prevent critical challenges in terms of time, staff resources, and organizational aspects.