Has TeamSTEPPS come to your hospital?

bagladyrn, RN · Dec 2, 2014

Lots of words about how to implement it but absolutely no information on what it actually is! Typical of most government reports.

I don't think we need any more people sitting in ivory towers (be they government or corporate) telling those of us who actually do the jobs how they should be done.

Show me a plan developed by actual front line workers and then maybe I'll give it more than lip service.

nightbreak · Dec 2, 2014

We had TeamStepps training at our hospital. I really didn't think there was anything cutting edge about it. Basically the same communication/hand-off skills that I learned as an EMT and during nursing school. I think the medical director had hopes that the medical staff would have more buy-in, but there was absolutely no follow through at our facility.

roser13, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2014

I don't think that my organization could possibly absorb one more team-building, morale-boosting, communication-improving program. Our managers are already so overwhelmed with rounding, stoplights, LSS, columns & goals that it's hard to stay focused on day-to-day operations.

My morale sinks a little bit just to hear that there's yet another program out there making the rounds. Please, oh please, no!

mhy12784 · Dec 3, 2014

Lots of words about how to implement it but absolutely no information on what it actually is! Typical of most government reports.
I don't think we need any more people sitting in ivory towers (be they government or corporate) telling those of us who actually do the jobs how they should be done.
Show me a plan developed by actual front line workers and then maybe I'll give it more than lip service.

I actually spent almost an hour reading through the website trying to figure out what the hell it actually consists of. ill be honest when I say im a believer in the data driven stuff like six sigma or lean. But this just looks like a ponzi scheme

The most consistent thing I read is "get more training, then train more people, and have them get more training"

And then this gem

(this was one of its "success" stories)

BCHCC has a stuffed penguin mascot/scout, "YaYa," that travels around the hospital, building situational awareness. He moves to a different location each week, carrying a sign that holds the name of a TeamSTEPPS tool or strategy. There is a weekly prize drawing for employees who complete a form listing (1) where they found YaYa, (2) what his message is, and (3) what the message means (how or where can it be used). There's a bit of excitement and mystery associated with YaYa and a bit of healthy competition in finding him. The explanation of YaYa's tools have been complete and detailed, showing either the staff learned well or are diligently looking in their Pocket Guides to refresh their memories.
Knowing that poor communication was a major cause of error and confusion in the hospital, another cartoon penguin character, "Didga U. Know," was created. His purpose is to alert staff about new policies or other important information. When Didga is posted at building entrances to give staff a heads-up, it is their responsibility to seek out the new information

OCNRN63, RN · Dec 3, 2014

I don't think that my organization could possibly absorb one more team-building, morale-boosting, communication-improving program. Our managers are already so overwhelmed with rounding, stoplights, LSS, columns & goals that it's hard to stay focused on day-to-day operations.
My morale sinks a little bit just to hear that there's yet another program out there making the rounds. Please, oh please, no!

You forget to mention Lean, Six Sigma, Studer, yada, yada, yada.

OCNRN63, RN · Dec 3, 2014

BCHCC has a stuffed penguin mascot/scout, "YaYa," that travels around the hospital, building situational awareness. He moves to a different location each week, carrying a sign that holds the name of a TeamSTEPPS tool or strategy. There is a weekly prize drawing for employees who complete a form listing (1) where they found YaYa, (2) what his message is, and (3) what the message means (how or where can it be used). There's a bit of excitement and mystery associated with YaYa and a bit of healthy competition in finding him. The explanation of YaYa's tools have been complete and detailed, showing either the staff learned well or are diligently looking in their Pocket Guides to refresh their memories.
Knowing that poor communication was a major cause of error and confusion in the hospital, another cartoon penguin character, "Didga U. Know," was created. His purpose is to alert staff about new policies or other important information.

Good grief...stuffed animals are for children!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2014

We had training almost a year ago. It didn't involve a stuffed penguin, though--that made me vomit in my mouth!! :barf02:

I honestly don't remember much of it, except stressing the acronym "CUS." They showed this video of an RN (or RRT, can't remember) attempting to communicate something to an MD, who was listening w/ half an ear and charting something. The RN/RRT then said, "Doctor, I'm concerned. Yada yada, I'm uncomfortable. This is a safety issue." Then, like magic, the MD snapped to attention and thanked the RN/RRT for his concern.

They encouraged the MDs to attend training w/ the RNs and CNAs, and one or two did. But what I thought was funny was that they rolled it out in the ICUs-- MDs in the ICUs listen and communicate pretty well w/ us! I've heard horrendous things about the RN-MD communication on the floors.

I think we all chucked our pocket guides on our way out at the end of the day.

Nienna Celebrindal · Dec 3, 2014

I really didn't think there was anything cutting edge about it. Basically the same communication/hand-off skills that I learned as an EMT and during nursing school.

Yup, same old same old just repackaged.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 3, 2014

Good Lord, stuffed penguin mascots? Did I read that right??? Unless this is a children s hospital I am SO glad I don't work there.