Implementing a Behavioral Escalation Response Team to Promote Patient and Staff Safety: A Descriptive Qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Code White emergencies in hospitals address behavioral escalations, posing risks to staff and patients.
• Traditional responses often involve security-led interventions.
• The Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) offers a proactive, clinically-led alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore clinical staff perspectives on the Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) model.
• To identify strengths and areas for improvement in BERT implementation.
• To understand BERT's impact on managing behavioral escalations in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 healthcare staff members (nurses, social workers, educators, managers).
• Participants had accessed BERT services.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: proactive behavioral management, collaborative safety culture, patient-centered care through capacity building, and support for clinical practice.
• BERT enhances staff confidence and perceived safety in managing behavioral escalations.
• A proactive and collaborative approach is valued by clinical staff.

Conclusions:

• The BERT model is an effective, proactive, and collaborative strategy for managing behavioral escalations.
• BERT shifts focus from reactive security to early, clinically-led interventions.
• This approach enhances patient and staff safety and promotes trauma-informed, least-restraint care.