Debriefing after difficult situations (in psych)

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Curious about others' experiences and thoughts on this. In the psych setting, how often do you get the opportunity to debrief with your team after handling stressful events, difficult patients, etc.? What is involved in your debrief? Are you happy with the way your management supports you? I feel like my unit leaves a lot to be desired in this area and I'd like to change that.

Probably will cross-post with psych nursing.

[NurseCard, ADN]

When I worked psych, anytime we had a traumatic event, particularly a

restraint or a seclusion, or even a code, we were REQUIRED to have a

debriefing. We had to fill out a paper just for the debriefing, which I guess

consisted of: what happened, what led up to the event, what could

have been done to avoid the S or R, if anything... maybe?

It's been so long since I've worked a psych unit, I can't remember

what all it consisted, but I know there was a debriefing form.

[cleback]

It was nonexistent when I worked psych. Granted that was 8 years ago already but yeah.

[verene, MSN]

We are required to hold a debrief after an significant event (hands-on/restraints) in my workplace. There is a debrief guide to run through in the immediate aftermath of the event, and usually within the next couple of weeks a formal debrief meeting will be held by management to see what can be learned from the incident with an eye towards making improvements in our system of care. However one of the things I like about this organization is that the patient is involved in the debrief process. Their voice and perspective is valued in debrief and assessment of the situation. I've haven't been through a significant event or debrief but staff have spoken highly of having patients involved in the process and said that it goes a very long way towards rebuilding rapport and being able to bring out positive learning and growth for all involved.

[Davey Do]

Curious about others' experiences and thoughts on this. In the psych setting, how often do you get the opportunity to debrief with your team after handling stressful events, difficult patients, etc.?

At Wrongway Regional Medical Center, we are required to debrief after any incident. That means we fill out the specific portion of the incident packet.

Administrators do nothing unless the form is not completed. If it's not completed, they call the responsible negligent individual on the carpet.

What is involved in your debrief?

Depending on the severity, the debriefing process could be nothing to focusing caring attention on the traumatized patient and/or staff member.

There is a lot of support between staff members. As noted before, administrators do nothing.

Are you happy with the way your management supports you?

Absolutely not. In fact, just last week I completed one of those monkey surveys on my feelings and beliefs regarding supervisory support. I gave them the lowest scores possible.

I feel like my unit leaves a lot to be desired in this area and I'd like to change that.

Good luck to you, NightNerd. I hope you can make the changes for the better.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

At my inpatient unit debriefing was thrown away. We did sometimes meet to process feelings about an event though.

I'm in community psych now and we are preparing to debrief on an incident involving violence.

Our director is not experienced in this process and has been foolish enough to blame the victim.

....

I can't say much more at this time.