Pediatric emergency medicine trisk 0103 0103

Preventable harm to patients in our healthcare system may exceed 250,000 deaths annually The fragmented nature of healthcare delivery is a common contributor to medical error Communication failures at shift change or patient transition are high-risk interactions which include important patient information and may lead to miscommunication, delays in care or even inappropriate treatment Hierarchy within the medical system can further inhibit open communication which could prevent error As stated above, no single individual can assure that a patient receives the highest quality of care possible nor can they protect that patient from potential harm associated with complex bedside care Currently, despite high need for strong teams, healthcare does not implement evidenced-based practices for supporting teams and coordinating care or provide the necessary resources There is a growing body of evidence that links teamwork to the quality (degree to which patients receive the treatment consistent with current guidelines and professional knowledge), safety of care (risk of preventable harm), and the patient’s experience (self-reported outcomes)—all of which are necessary for optimal clinical outcomes Patients receiving care with poor teamwork are almost five times more likely to die or experience a complication Patients receiving care from higher performing teams report being more satisfied Patients also report lower levels of postoperative pain with more rapid recovery and decreased hospital length of stay Teamwork creates a more positive, engaging, and resilient work environment Thus, effective, strong interdisciplinary teamwork offers an opportunity to increase quality, decrease harm significantly, and improve the experience of the patients and members of the healthcare team What Is a Team? A team is defined as a set of two or more people who interact dynamically and work toward a common, valued goal Team members have specific assigned roles or functions to perform In the ED, the team performs timesensitive tasks in a dynamic environment by coordinating their efforts to meet these common goals For example, care of the patient with suspected sepsis requires nurses with advanced IV skills, respiratory therapists to assist with respiratory support, pharmacists to assist with medications and infusions, etc.; importantly although each member has a specific role, all