In November 2024, the Maternal Child Health (MCH) department hosted three TeamSTEPPS training events, collaboratively planned and executed by leadership from MCH Nursing, OB, and Anesthesia. These sessions utilized the Evidence-based framework of TeamSTEPPs, aimed to enhance teamwork, communication, and patient safety. Each event trained approximately 50 participants, including Nurses, OB Techs, Unit Assistants, and Providers.
The training sessions emphasized practical strategies for improving interprofessional collaboration in high-stakes environments. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises, simulations, and discussions to practice tools such as situational awareness, effective handoffs, and structured communication methods like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation). The events reflected a unified commitment to fostering a culture of safety and teamwork within MCH, equipping staff with essential skills to improve patient care outcomes. This initiative highlights the ongoing dedication of MCH leadership to professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration.
This work is also closely aligned with High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles, emphasizing the goal of fostering a culture of safety, resilience, and consistent excellence in patient care. Here’s how the events connected to HRO principles:
- Preoccupation with Failure: The training reinforced vigilance in identifying potential risks and small errors before they escalate into larger problems. By integrating tools like situational awareness and proactive communication, participants learned to anticipate and address issues early.
- Reluctance to Simplify: The sessions encouraged participants to seek a deep understanding of complex situations, particularly in the high-stakes environment of MCH. The training emphasized avoiding assumptions and addressing nuances through structured communication techniques like SBAR.
- Sensitivity to Operations: By including diverse roles—nurses, techs, UAs, and providers—the training fostered a shared understanding of frontline dynamics. Participants were trained to recognize how small operational details impact patient outcomes, ensuring a more cohesive team response.
- Commitment to Resilience: Through simulations and teamwork exercises, participants practiced maintaining effectiveness under pressure and learning from past events. This focus on adaptability and recovery bolsters team resilience in dynamic healthcare scenarios.
- Deference to Expertise: The training emphasized recognizing and leveraging expertise at all levels of the team. Scenarios and discussions highlighted the importance of empowering team members to speak up and contribute, regardless of hierarchy, when patient safety is at stake.
By embedding these HRO principles into the TeamSTEPPS framework, MCH’s leadership demonstrated their commitment to cultivating a highly reliable, team-oriented culture that prioritizes patient safety and quality care.