[CASE STUDY] TeamSTEPPS Generates Improvement at Staten Island Hospital

After administering the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality’s Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture in 2007, Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) identified two primary areas of focus for improvement: “teamwork across  hospital units” and “hospital handoffs and transitions.”  As a means of addressing these trouble spots, the hospital chose to begin implementing AHRQ’s TeamSTEPPS® curriculum with its staff because it aligned well with the organization’s existing Collaborative Care Model as well as its overall mission.

Since the program’s implementation in 2009, approximately 6,300 SIUH employees have participated in TeamSTEPPS® training.  Today, participants hospital-wide are using key take-away concepts and tools in their daily work.  For instance, hospital staff has incorporated the program’s “Brief, Huddle, Debrief” method into the execution of surgical and procedural safety checklists.  In addition, employees have found the “CUS” (I am Concerned. I am Uncomfortable. This is a Safety issue.) triggers to be equally beneficial.

After repeating the survey in 2011, SIUH  was pleased with an 8 percent improvement realized in “teamwork across hospital units. ”  In addition, a 4.6 percent jump in “teamwork within units” provided encouragement while a 1.6 percent bump in “handoffs and transitions” gave indication where work is yet to be done.

SIUH continues to hold two TeamSTEPPS® classes each month through which new employees can receive  training in the program’s essential methods, and previously-trained staff can experience refresher opportunities to reinforce fundamentals.

To read more about SIUH’s use of the TeamSTEPPS® curriculum, click here.