Does Teamwork Improve Performance in the Operating Room? A Multilevel Evaluation

Authors: Weaver, Sallie J.; Rosen, Michael A.; DiazGranados, Deborah; Lazzara, Elizabeth H.; Lyons, Rebecca; Salas, Eduardo; Knych, Stephen A.; McKeever, Margie; Adler, Lee; Barker, Mary; King, Heidi B.

Source: Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 36, Number 3, March 2010 , pp. 133-142(10)

Publisher: Joint Commission Resources

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $20.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Background: Medical care is a team effort, especially as patient cases are more complex. Communication, cooperation, and coordination are vital to effective care, especially in complex service lines such as the operating room (OR). Team training, specifically the TeamSTEPPS™ training program, has been touted as one methodology for optimizing teamwork among providers and increasing patient safety. Although such team-training programs have transformed the culture and outcomes of other dynamic, high-risk industries such as aviation and nuclear power, evidence of team training effectiveness in health care is still evolving. Although providers tend to react positively to many training programs, evidence that training contributes to important behavioral and patient safety outcomes is lacking.

Method: A multilevel evaluation of the TeamSTEPPS training program was conducted within the OR service line with a control location. The evaluation was a mixed-model design with one between-groups factor (TeamSTEPPS training versus no training) and two within-groups factors (time period, team). The groups were located at separate campuses to minimize treatment diffusion. Trainee reactions, learning, behaviors in the OR, and proxy outcome measures such as the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS) and Operating Room Management Attitudes Questionnaire (ORMAQ) were collected.

Results: All levels of evaluation demonstrated positive results. The trained group demonstrated significant increases in the quantity and quality of presurgical procedure briefings and the use of quality teamwork behaviors during cases. Increases were also found in perceptions of patient safety culture and teamwork attitudes.

Discussion: The hospital system has integrated elements of TeamSTEPPS into orientation training provided to all incoming hospital employees, including nonclinical staff.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2010-03-01

More about this publication?

Published monthly, The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to providing health professionals with the information they need to promote the quality and safety of health care. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety invites original manuscripts on the development, adaptation, and/or implementation of innovative thinking, strategies, and practices in improving quality and safety in health care. Case studies, program or project reports, reports of new methodologies or new applications of methodologies, research studies on the effectiveness of improvement interventions, and commentaries on issues and practices are all considered.

Also known as Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement and Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Safety
Editorial Board
Information for Authors
Subscribe to this Title
Information for Advertisers
Reprints and Permissions
Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety - Author Index
ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Does Teamwork Improve Performance in the Operating Room? A Multilevel Evaluation

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages