Creating and Sustaining a Night Shift End-of-Life (EOL) Safety Huddle to Improve Communication and Collaboration Among Disciplines-Creating and Sustaining a Night Shift End-of-Life (EOL) Safety Huddle to Improve Communication and Collaboration Among Disciplines

Creating and Sustaining a Night Shift End-of-Life (EOL) Safety Huddle to Improve Communication and Collaboration Among Disciplines

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Video Transcription

Video Summary

Michelle Schuster from Boston Children’s Hospital described a quality improvement project introducing a nighttime end-of-life huddle for oncology patients. The goal was to improve communication, collaboration, and preparedness among interdisciplinary team members during night shift, when staffing is lighter and communication gaps are more likely. Using a simple four-question checklist and a standing Zoom meeting, the team clarified goals of care, symptom escalation plans, first-call contacts, and critical contingencies such as bleeding or seizures. After refining the process through PDSA cycles, the team narrowed eligibility criteria and shifted leadership to the night charge nurse. Surveys showed the huddle was widely viewed as useful and worth continuing. Staff reported better communication, faster response to changes, and greater confidence. The project was low-cost, easy to implement, and is now being considered for other units.

Keywords

nighttime end-of-life huddle

oncology patients

quality improvement

interdisciplinary communication

PDSA cycles

Boston Children’s Hospital