Stop the escalation before it begins by using the pediatric Behavior Response Team protocol

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Psychology
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Clinicians face challenges caring for patients and families with inadequate coping skills during illness and hospitalization.
• High-stress situations can lead to adverse events or service disruptions in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a rapid response protocol at the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS).
• To formalize a multidisciplinary team approach for managing challenging patient and family interactions.

Main Methods:

• Established a multidisciplinary Behavioral Response Team (BRT) with representatives from psychiatry, security, and risk management.
• Developed a protocol outlining the BRT's purpose, access procedures, and debriefing expectations.
• Implemented the pediatric BRT protocol to provide rapid response to critical situations.

Main Results:

• The BRT protocol has proven effective in managing difficult patient and family situations.
• The intervention allows clinicians to provide necessary care in high-stress scenarios.
• Formalized team response mitigates risks of adverse events and service disasters.

Conclusions:

• The UMHS pediatric BRT protocol offers a structured approach to support clinicians caring for distressed patients and families.
• Multidisciplinary rapid response teams can enhance patient care and safety in complex healthcare situations.
• Effective debriefing is integral to the intervention's success and continuous improvement.