Changing Team Member Perceptions by Implementing TeamSTEPPS in an Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: The emergency department is an environment where teamwork and communication are of utmost importance and are the foundation for improved patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction, patient safety, and the reduction of clinical errors. An ED staff perceptions of communication and teamwork influences their ability to provide efficient, high quality care to patients.

METHODS: The ED team consisted of 57 employees, including nurses, mid-level providers, and non-licensed individuals, who work within, or directly with, the department. This quality improvement project trained 57 members of the ED staff using the TeamSTEPPS training program. Forty-six of the participants completed assessments at all 3 time points (baseline, 2 weeks and one month): Team STEPPS Teamwork Perceptions and Attitudes Questionnaires and The Nursing Culture Assessment Tool (NCAT).

RESULTS: Formal group TeamSTEPPS training improved the emergency department team members' perceptions of, and attitudes about, communication and teamwork.

DISCUSSION: As a result of TeamSTEPPS training in an Emergency Department, the staff of that department perceived that both teamwork and communication improved. The TeamSTEPPs program should be made sustainable by incorporating the verbiage and tools from the program into policy and culture within the department.