Improving Resident-To-Attending Communication: Implementing a Tool to Facilitate Attending Notification of Critical Patient Events at a Single Academic Institution

Ineffective communication between surgical trainees and attending surgeons is a significant contributor to patient harm. The aim of this study was to evaluate a tool to improve resident-to-attending communication regarding changes in patient clinical status. Ten critical patient events were compiled into a list of triggers for direct attending surgeon notification at a single academic institution. Residents and faculty were surveyed to assess communication before and after implementation of the list. Institution of the triggers list was associated with a nonstatistically significant increase in resident-to-attending notification regarding 7 of 10 critical patient events. There was no reported change in frequency of calls associated with the list's implementation. Most residents felt that the list improved patient care and increased their comfort with calling attending surgeons. Comments were generally positive; however, both groups expressed concern that the list could negatively impact resident autonomy and supervision. Implementing a list of triggers for attending notification of critical patient events subjectively improved resident-to-attending communication in an environment with high baseline levels of communication.