The relationship between post-resuscitation debriefings and perceptions of teamwork in emergency department nurses

Emergency department nurses are faced with traumatic patient events while functioning as members of multidisciplinary teams. Postresuscitation debriefings have been shown to benefit health care professionals and patient clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the use of post resuscitation debriefings and perceptions of teamwork in emergency department nurses. The study also addressed the type and timing of debriefing to determine whether these factors are associated with perceptions of teamwork.

A nationwide survey was disseminated to emergency department nurses throughout the United States. The design aimed to compare the results from the Nursing Teamwork Survey with the data regarding frequency, type, and timing of debriefings. An ANOVA and Scheffe post hoc was done as well.

The 68 responses which were included in the data were from 27 different states. Results showed that when debriefings were done more frequently (η = .41, p = .02), were conducted using a formal debriefing method (η = .36, p = .01), and were held immediately after a situation (η = .36, p = .03), there was a significant positive relationship (eta coefficient) with higher levels of trust, team orientation, backup, shared mental model, and leadership.

Findings may be used to increase utilization of debriefings and improve perceptions of teamwork among emergency department nurses.