Question

Discuss how you would implement a TeamSTEPPS training program in ambulatory care if you were it's new business leader. How would you collaborate with MD and RN clinical leaders on training design ?

Subject: Health Systems Organization

Answer 1

TeamSTEPPS training program in ambulatory care

TeamSTEPPS is a teamwork program designed specifically for health care by the US Government Department of Defense.Teamwork in health care has been identified as an important skill in ambulatory care for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and other operating room personnel. Improving teamwork leads to reducing errors and enhancing communications within teams. Reducing errors through enhancing communications leads to better outcome.

Areas for implementing TeamSTEPPS training program in ambulatory care.

• Better collaboration, coordination, and communication among nurses, technicians and patients/families across the continuum of care
• Proactively sharing accurate information across disciplines and including patients
• Decreased errors such as wrong diagnosis, observation, treatment, intervention, protocol deviations, staff or patient misunderstandings.
• Increased patient and staff satisfaction due to enhanced teamwork
• Decreased rates of infections, major complications, morbidity and mortality.
• Decreased barriers to communication, improved quality and safety, decreased malpractice risk
• Greater efficiency and effectiveness, decreased cost of care

As a part of collaboration with MD and RN clinical leaders on training design select physicians to serve the fellowship as TeamSTEPPS trainers.There are different kinds of teamwork programs for physicians and allied health professionals. These mentors will use the experience of conducting communications skills workshops to present the TeamSTEPPS training program.TeamSTEPPS workshop participants will gain new insight into how teams communicate and work effectively for the benefit of patients.