Improved Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors After Implementation of TeamSTEPPS Training in an Academic Emergency Department: A Pilot Report

Abstract

TeamSTEPPS is a validated, formal patient safety curriculum created by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) for the development of high-functioning multidisciplinary teams. TeamSTEPPS was implemented in an academic emergency department (ED), including all ED hospital staff as well as physicians and residents. It was hypothesized that extensive interprofessional education combined with implementation of specific tools would increase knowledge of TeamSTEPPS principles, attitudes, and behaviors. The TeamSTEPPS knowledge test and the AHRQ Hospital Survey attitude test were administered at 0, 45, and 90 days after training. Behaviors were evaluated using an observation tool that was developed to document huddle occurrence. Knowledge and attitudes significantly improved 45 days from baseline (P < .05) and were sustained by day 90. In this pilot study, the implementation of TeamSTEPPS training in a multidisciplinary team in an academic ED led to increased knowledge and improved communication attitudes. Adoption of a specific behavior, the huddle, also was observed.

Keywords: TeamSTEPPS; emergency medicine; high-performing teams; patient safety.