A TeamSTEPPS® implementation plan for recently assigned interns and nurses.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare education
• Patient safety research
• Interprofessional team dynamics

Background:

• Newly qualified healthcare professionals require rapid integration into interprofessional teams.
• Effective teamwork is crucial for patient safety and optimal clinical outcomes.
• Existing onboarding processes may not adequately prepare interns and nurses for team-based care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS®) intervention on newly assigned pediatric interns and nurses.
• To evaluate changes in team knowledge, performance, and interprofessional learning experiences.
• To determine the effectiveness of simulation-based TeamSTEPPS® training for integrating new team members.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method pilot study involving 23 pediatric interns and nurses at an urban academic teaching hospital.
• Pre- and post-intervention assessment of TeamSTEPPS® course knowledge and team performance using simulation cases.
• Open-ended surveys to gather qualitative data on the interprofessional learning experience.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in TeamSTEPPS® course knowledge from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.001).
• Enhanced team performance scores observed in post-intervention simulation cases compared to pre-assessments.
• Qualitative analysis revealed six themes, highlighting an appreciation for a speak-up culture supporting patient safety and team members.

Conclusions:

• TeamSTEPPS® training, incorporating simulation and interprofessional membership, shows promise for integrating new clinicians.
• The intervention positively impacted both knowledge and practical team performance in a pediatric setting.
• Fostering a culture of open communication is a key outcome of effective interprofessional training.