Daily goals assessment allows teams to keep track of plans established either on patient care rounds and/or multidisciplinary rounds and to verify their completion.  The intent is to establish appropriate, explicit daily goals for patients and improve their overall care.  In addition, involving the family in establishing daily goals and informing the family of care plans can enhance satisfaction for everyone.

Daily goal setting is usually done by working from a daily goals worksheet.  Keeping the patients' daily goal worksheets up-to-date and on track is important for several processes in the ICU:

• Allows better documentation and communication
• Permits evaluation of patient safety risks
• Sharpens staff attention to early changes in patients that may be worrisome
• Enhances communication among team members