Honored Excellence
Making Time for a FAST HUG
Recognizing a need for improved communication among nursing and physician caregivers in the Medical Intensive Care Unit, leadership on the unit introduced a tool last December it hopes will yield promising results. The FAST HUG mnemonic, which stands for Feeding, Analgesia, Sedation, Thromboembolic prophylaxis, Head-of-bed elevation, stress Ulcer prevention and Glucose control, is a means of identifying, communicating and checking some of the key aspects in the general care of all critically ill patients.
The multi-disciplinary evidence-based strategy has been demonstrated to improve patient outcomes, according to the Society of Critical Care Medicine. During daily rounds, nurses and physicians on the unit use FAST HUG to facilitate teamwork and ensure adequate communication has occurred.
"FAST HUG has the potential to dramatically improve collaboration among nurses and physicians and, ultimately, improve patient care," said Anne Pohlman, RN, MSN, CCRN, APN, coordinator of pulmonary and critical care research at the Medical Center and a fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. "We continue to work toward full participation with the tool to reap the rewards for our staff and patients."
The seven components of the Fast Hug approach Component Consideration for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Team
| Feeding | Is the patient receiving nutritional intake as defined by the dieticians recommendation? |
| Analgesia | The patient should not suffer pain, but excessive analgesia should be avoided. Is the patient's pain documented and within the goal? |
| Sedation | The patient should not experience discomfort, but excessive sedation should be avoided. Are MICU/sedation orders in place? |
| Thromboembolic prevention | Is the patient receiving DVT prevention interventions? |
| Head of the bed elevated | Head of bed elevated optimally 30 to 45 degrees. Are Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia prevention interventions in place? |
| stress Ulcer prophylaxis | Is the patient receiving stress ulcer prophylaxis? |
| Glucose control | Is the patient's glucose being monitored and treated according to unit standards? |
