Improving patient safety and optimizing nursing teamwork using crew resource management techniques.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Crew resource management (CRM) techniques, proven effective in aviation safety, offer potential for enhancing patient safety in medical environments.
• The Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for Patient Safety has explored CRM applications in nursing units.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply the sterile cockpit rule, a CRM technique, to improve the efficacy and safety of patient care duties performed by nursing assistants.
• To create protected time for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) during vital sign and blood glucose data collection.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a CRM training program in select VA nursing units.
• Adaptation of the sterile cockpit rule to shield CNAs from distractions during critical tasks.
• Reversal of traditional nursing hierarchy to support CNA workflow.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in efficiency and communication among nursing staff.
• Enhanced patient safety through reduced distractions during data collection.
• Increased staff morale observed as a beneficial outcome.

Conclusions:

• Crew resource management techniques, including the sterile cockpit rule, are effective in improving healthcare efficiency.
• CRM strategies can positively impact staff morale and overall patient safety.
• Protected time for nursing assistants enhances the quality of patient care delivery.