10 features of the "Care Bundle"

These are¹:

1. Bundles aim to consistently improve the reliability of processes needed for well tolerated and effective care.
2. A ‘bundle’ is a group of interventions related to a disease process that, when executed together, result in better outcomes than when implemented individually.
3. Each intervention is scientifically grounded usually proven by a randomized-controlled trials.
4. The elements are included because experts believe they are essential to improving clinical outcomes.
5. In many cases the clinical values attached to each step are locally defined or may change over time, based on evolving research and the experiences of users.
6. Not all possible therapies are included in a particular bundle. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all care that could be provided.
7. Care bundle elements are not compulsory and elements should not be ‘forced’ if clinically inappropriate or contraindicated.
8. In order to receive reliable care all elements of the bundle must be completed. A care bundle is not completed if even just one process is left out (the all-or-nothing principle)
9. The strength of this tool lies in the measurement of completion of each process, rather than the measurement of the outcome. Quality improvement techniques are then used to improve the compliance rate.
10. Care bundles can contribute to the improvement of teamwork and communication within the unit.

AMH.