Advancing Patient Airway Safety Through Interprofessional Education and Collaboration: Translating Evidence into Improved Outcomes in a Global Quality Improvement Initiative

Integrating interprofessional collaboration into quality improvement efforts can enhance patient outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of standardized interventions, implemented across 20 hospitals, on clinical outcomes, staff engagement, and economic savings.Methods/methodology: The implementation strategy engaged interprofessional teams including nurses, respiratory therapists, speech language pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and physicians engaged in airway care. Data were collected prospectively from 2,405 admissions (1,868 ICU/high-dependency unit, 7.3% pediatric) and 1,019 staff (1,536 questionnaires). Median hospital stay was 50 days, with 23 ICU days and 28 tracheostomy days. Outcomes included hospital length of stay, ventilator dependence, time to first vocalization and oral intake, patient-reported anxiety and depression, and incident severity scores. Cost savings were calculated through independent economic analyses.Results: Implementing interprofessional interventions improved patient outcomes and enhanced system efficiencies. Safety metrics showed reduced incidence and severity of clinical incidents (n=606, P < 0.01). Hospital stays, ICU stays, and ventilator days were all reduced (P < 0.01). Time with a tracheostomy decreased by P < 0.01) and recovery milestones were achieved faster, with time to first vocalization and oral intake reduced by 7 days on average (n=733, P < 0.01). Mental health outcomes improved significantly. Anxiety prevalence decreased from 35.9% to 20.0% (44% reduction, P < 0.01), and depression prevalence dropped from 38.7% to 18.3% (55% reduction, P < 0.01). Economic analysis demonstrated significant cost savings (PConclusions, implications, and curiosities: Implementing interprofessional collaboration with coordinated care pathways enhanced quality, safety, and patient-centeredness in critical care. The intervention improved mental health, accelerated recovery, and resulted in substantial cost savings. By fostering teamwork, interprofessional care reduced adverse events, aligned care with patient values, and supported holistic recovery with broad implications for critical care. Interprofessional collaboration is a cornerstone of modern healthcare delivery capable of delivering significant economic benefits.