Postop care program cuts pneumonia, unplanned intubation

"We found that involvement of representatives of each discipline significantly increased acceptance of the I COUGH program, and instilled a sense of commitment and pride that could not have been achieved by simply instituting and enforcing a policy without input from all parties involved," Dr. Cassidy and his colleagues added.

While the study had several limitations, including variations in data-gathering techniques and NSQIP reporting protocols, the investigators pointed to "substantial differences in nursing practice documented between the audits before and after I COUGH implementation."

"We believe that a favorable change in practice occurred as a result of our program," they wrote.

The investigators reported having no financial conflicts of interest.