KAMISHIBAI K-CARDS (K-CARDS)

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM TO GUARANTEE STAFF COMPLIANCE WITH BEST PRACTICES TO PREVENT HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS (HAIS)

Lean management measures such as Kamishibai Cards (K – cards) are means of ensuring compliance with best practices intended to prevent HAIs by focusing on harm prevention. K – cards system is a visual management tool that is anticipated to sustain standards that prevent HAIs and prompt continuous improvement. The system blooms in the reduction of overall HAIs, improves communication, patient documentation and staff awareness. 

K- cards are placed on the left side of the quality board- all facing on the green side. Done K-cards are moved to the right side of the board and placed with the green side frontward when compliance with best practices are 100%. if there is non- compliance issue of any sort, the card is placed with the red side facing up. K-card system focuses on a set of five preventative care elements: 

Efficient Interactions: Each K – card should list best practices to prevent one hospital acquired infection (HAI). Supervisors can simply pull a red card and use the deficiencies to guide a short meeting or huddle.

Improved Communication: K-card offers an opportunity for staff to communicate with nursing leaders and hospital executives on a frequent basis. The process allows management to identify when a staff member has exceeded expectations and similarly, it swiftly reveals when a team member needs additional training or mentoring. 

Real-time Compliance Data: K – card provides an easy form of communication that does not require complex technology and can be easily mastered by the staff. If a nurse is having an issue on the floor, all they need to do is display the card as red to communicate the compliance concern, escalate the issue, or call for more support and resources.

On-the-Spot Correction: Since K-card is a visual management tool, it can inform a team leader immediately of a problem. Communication to address a problem should not take more than few minutes and can be done at a patient’s bedside or a computer workstation. When deviations from standard practices are addressed immediately, HAIs are much less likely to occur.

Easy Auditing: Possibly the most valued aspect of K-card is that it simplifies auditing. Since the K-cards thoroughly list each task, there is little need for training or education on the auditing process. Anyone from a doctor to a CEO can pick up a card and immediately perform an interaction on the floor.

K – card can be built to reduce central line associated blood stream infection, catheter associated urinary tract infection, and other HAIs.