Access the . Review this web page before clicking and downloading the Clinical Communication guide. Answer the following question: After reading in your text book (pages 509-510) and learning about incorrect orders being placed on patient electronic records caused by inactivated alerts the Administrator of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) has asked the informatics nurse to investigate TeamSTEPPS for the practice. After accessing the web site: create an action plan to implement TeamSTEPPS in this practice.
Implementing TeamSTEPPS in Practice: An Action Plan
Introduction
TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) is an evidence-based teamwork system developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) with the aim of improving patient safety and enhancing healthcare team performance. Given the issue of incorrect orders being placed on patient electronic records caused by inactivated alerts, the Administrator of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) has requested the informatics nurse to investigate the potential use of TeamSTEPPS in their practice. This action plan outlines the steps and considerations necessary for implementing TeamSTEPPS in the given practice.
Action Plan
1. Assess Current Team Dynamics and Barriers
Before implementing TeamSTEPPS, it is important to conduct a thorough assessment of the current team dynamics and identify any barriers that may hinder effective communication and collaborative decision-making. This assessment can be achieved through the following steps:
a. Conduct interviews with healthcare team members, including physicians, nurses, and support staff, to gain insights into their experiences, perceptions, and challenges related to communication and teamwork.
b. Administer validated teamwork assessment tools, such as the TeamSTEPPS Teamwork Perception Questionnaire, to obtain quantitative data on team dynamics and identify areas for improvement.
c. Perform a review of patient records and incident reports to identify any adverse events or near misses caused by breakdowns in communication and teamwork.
2. Build a Coalition of Champions
To ensure successful implementation and sustainability of TeamSTEPPS, it is crucial to build a coalition of champions who can serve as dedicated advocates and change agents within the practice. This coalition should include key stakeholders such as clinical leaders, managers, and team members who are enthusiastic about improving teamwork and patient safety. The following steps are recommended:
a. Identify and recruit individuals who possess strong leadership skills, a commitment to patient safety, and a willingness to drive change.
b. Provide training and education to the coalition members on the principles and concepts of TeamSTEPPS to enhance their understanding and buy-in.
c. Empower the coalition to serve as role models and actively engage in promoting teamwork and the use of TeamSTEPPS strategies.
3. Conduct TeamSTEPPS Training and Education
After establishing a coalition of champions, comprehensive training and education programs should be developed and delivered to all healthcare team members. This includes physicians, nurses, support staff, and other relevant personnel. The training should focus on the following aspects:
a. Introduce the core concepts and principles of TeamSTEPPS, emphasizing its role in enhancing communication, teamwork, and patient safety.
b. Provide a thorough understanding of the different TeamSTEPPS tools and strategies, such as briefs, debriefs, huddles, and situation monitoring, and their application in daily practice.
c. Incorporate interactive and hands-on exercises, role-playing scenarios, and case studies to facilitate practice and reinforce learning.
d. Tailor the training content to address specific areas of concern identified during the assessment phase, such as inactivated alerts and the correct placement of orders on patient electronic records.
4. Implement TeamSTEPPS Tools and Strategies
Once the training and education phase is completed, the next step is to implement the TeamSTEPPS tools and strategies into daily practice. This involves the following actions:
a. Establish clear communication protocols and standardized processes for information sharing, handoffs, and decision-making.
b. Integrate TeamSTEPPS tools, such as the SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) technique or the CUS (Concerned-Uncomfortable-Safety) tool, into existing workflows and electronic health record systems.
c. Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and foster a culture of open communication and trust among all team members.
5. Monitor, Evaluate, and Sustain
To ensure the long-term success of TeamSTEPPS implementation, ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability efforts are crucial. This involves the following tasks:
a. Establish metrics and indicators to measure the impact of TeamSTEPPS on patient outcomes, teamwork, and communication.
b. Conduct regular assessments and surveys to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptance of TeamSTEPPS strategies among healthcare team members.
c. Provide continuous education and refresher training sessions to reinforce TeamSTEPPS concepts and address any emerging challenges or barriers.
d. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback and lessons learned are actively incorporated into practice.
Conclusion
Implementing TeamSTEPPS in the given practice can significantly enhance communication, teamwork, and patient safety. By following this action plan, the practice can effectively assess current team dynamics, build a coalition of champions, deliver comprehensive training, implement TeamSTEPPS tools, and sustain the benefits of the intervention through ongoing monitoring and evaluation.