| Primary Author: | Kristy Loewenstein, RN-BC, NPP |
| Co-Principal Investigators/Collaborators: | Marybeth McManus |
| Organization: | The Zucker Hillside Hospital-NSLIJHS |
Abstract
Background
Three decades of research in high stress/risk industries such as military aviation has proved TeamSTEPPS to be effective evidence based tools to improve patient safety. The effective functioning of the multidisciplinary team is the crux of patient care in mental health, which signifies the importance of team work, communication, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The ensure this collaboration and teamwork, as TeamSTEPPS was implemented at The Zucker Hillside Hospital (ZHH), part of the North-Shore Long Island Jewish Health System (NSLIJHS), a shared governance system called Collaborative Care Councils was also implemented.
Purpose
The successful functioning of the multidisciplinary team is the foundation of patient care in mental health, and an acute inpatient hospital requires clear lines of communication and strong multidisciplinary collaboration to assure patient safety. ZHH, a 210 bed acute care Behavioral Health (BH) setting, introduced TeamSTEPPS in 2010 in an effort to improve patient and staff safety. Collaborative Care Councils were created to foster teamwork and communication through staff empowerment.
Materials & Methods
TeamSTEPPS training involves the review and interpretation of medical videos that are based on medical/surgical occurrences. To date, there is a paucity of literature on the education and implementation of TeamSTEPPS in BH settings. The TeamSTEPPS curriculum allows for customization of its material, and 20 clinical scenarios were developed to highlight key areas directly applicable to patient care and safety at ZHH. Real life occurrences and breakdowns in communication were presented to directly impact practice. Then, with the skill and guidance of NSLIJHS Super-Trainers, and the strong support of the ZHH Administrative Team, each ZHH inpatient unit and outpatient program chose co-chairs for their councils and agreed upon monthly meeting dates/times to assure participation from every shift.
Results
Many of the tenets of TeamSTEPPS have been embedded in standard health system policies, as well as ZHH specific policies. Staff members have begun to incorporate the strategies into their daily work flow. “TeamSTEPPS Jeopardy” was incorporated into the annual ongoing-competency assessment for all nursing staff and key TeamSTEPPS strategies are reviewed in the hospital’s weekly Patient Safety Rounds. There has been an increase in employee engagement score, as well an increase in patient satisfaction scores and a decrease in assault, etc.
Conclusion
It is our recommendation that when teaching TeamSTEPPS in a behavioral health setting, the curriculum reflects the service that is provided. The scenarios will have a greater impact on the staff members being trained if they are applicable to the setting in which they will be using the skills taught. TeamSTEPPS combined with the establishing of Collaborative Care Councils has had a positive impact on many of the metrics used to determine patient safety and employee and patient satisfaction.
© Improvement Science Research Network, 2011