Improving Hospital Patient Safety Through Teamwork: The Use of TeamSTEPPS in CAHs (Policy Brief #21)

Authors

Andrew F. Coburn PhD, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow
Zach T. Croll BA, University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research CenterFollow

Document Type

Policy Brief

Publication Date

6-2011

Keywords

MRHRC, Patient Safety, TeamSTEPPS, Critical Access Hospitals

Abstract

This brief, one in a series identifying and assessing evidence-based patient safety and quality improvement interventions appropriate for use by state Flex Programs and CAHs, reviews teamwork and team training which have become a standard, evidence-based intervention in small and larger hospitals alike. The focus is on TeamSTEPPS, a training program developed and disseminated by the Department of Defense and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Key Findings:

• State Flex programs and CAHs have successfully adapted and used TeamSTEPPS to improve patient safety through team training.
• The evidence indicates that team training increases communications and reduces error.
• The success of TeamSTEPPS depends on having appropriate expectations and identifying and cultivating internal champions.
• Building a patient safety infrastructure helps sustain teamwork.

Funding Organization

This study was conducted by the Flex Monitoring Team with funding from the federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Grant Number

PHS Grant No. U27RH01080

Recommended Citation

Coburn AF, Croll ZT. Improving Hospital Patient Safety through Teamwork: The Use of Teamstepps in Critical Access Hospitals. Portland, ME: Flex Monitoring Team;2011. (Policy Brief #21).