A complex teamwork intervention in a surgical ward in Norway

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Interprofessional Education

Background:

• Interprofessional team training positively impacts team behavior and patient safety culture.
• Effective teamwork is crucial in healthcare settings, particularly in surgical wards.
• Understanding the implementation process of teamwork interventions is essential for future evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of an interprofessional teamwork intervention on structure, process, and outcome in a surgical ward.
• To report on the implementation of the TeamSTEPPS program.
• To provide insights for future evaluation of the study's results.

Main Methods:

• The evidence-based Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) program was utilized.
• Implementation followed a three-phase approach based on Kotter's organizational change model.
• Phases included project group establishment, interprofessional team training, and sustained implementation with refresher training.

Main Results:

• The TeamSTEPPS program was successfully implemented in three distinct phases.
• The implementation involved comprehensive interprofessional team training for frontline healthcare personnel.
• The study details the process of integrating TeamSTEPPS tools and strategies over a 12-month period.

Conclusions:

• The implementation of the TeamSTEPPS program provides a foundation for evaluating its impact on surgical ward structure, process, and outcomes.
• This paper expands the understanding of the practical application of interprofessional teamwork interventions.
• The findings contribute to the evidence base for improving teamwork and patient safety through structured programs.