Healthcare providers are strongly advised to take the following steps as new connectors approach the market:
Aware
- Generate awareness of impending changes across the organizations to all impacted clinicians, administrators, supply chain, health technology management, and other support staff.
- Identify a leader within the organization to stay informed as plans progress and communicate updates to others in the organization early and often.
Prepare
- Form teams to assess existing systems, processes, and protocols that may need to change, focusing on areas of highest risk which have the most immediate need to convert to the new connectors.
- Work with supplier representatives and adopt their product-specific transition plan.
- Train clinicians and materials/inventory management staff for impending changes.
Adopt
- Introduce new connectors into work stream to reduce the risk of tubing misconnections and improve patient safety.
- Remind the organization of the long-term benefits vs. the short-term hassles of transitioning to new connectors.
Measure
- Quantify the organization’s ability to adopt changes.
- Leverage metrics and formal feedback loops to identify ways to improve the organization’s ability to transition for the next phase of connector introductions.
As new connectors become accepted as standards, more detailed information regarding introduction, transition plans, and timing will be provided.
