Effectiveness of checklists in multidisciplinary rounds for improving patient safety in the pediatric intensive care unit: a systematic review protocol

Objective: This review will evaluate the effectiveness of checklist use in multidisciplinary rounds, compared with multidisciplinary rounds without checklists, for improving mortality and patient safety in the pediatric intensive care unit. Introduction: Single studies have demonstrated that checklists can potentially improve communication of care between health professionals, reduce adverse events, and increase adherence to best practice guidelines. However, no systematic review of the literature has explored the use of checklists in the pediatric intensive care unit. Inclusion criteria: This review will consider studies that include pediatric patients, under 18 years of age, admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. Identified studies will compare the use of checklists in multidisciplinary rounds with multidisciplinary rounds with no checklists. The studies will also evaluate mortality and patient safety outcomes. We will consider experimental and observational studies, published in any language, with no date restrictions. Methods: The search strategy will aim to locate both published and unpublished studies. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, LILACS, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, the Center for Reviews and Dissemination, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and Epistemonikos. The studies will be screened and those meeting the inclusion criteria will be retained by two independent researchers. Assessment of methodology and data extraction will then be carried out. The data will be presented using a narrative synthesis and the studies will be pooled with a statistical meta-analysis, where possible. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42021233798.