Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety

By Shannon LynchApril 14, 2015

Team STEPPS Training at Womack Army Medical Center
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Womack conducted a three day Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (STEPPS) training session for all Surgery Product Line staff members, March 31 through April 2. The team structured training focused on communication, leadership, situation monitoring and mutual support. During the event, Womack Army Medical Center certified 40 master trainers and trained 240 teammates. The operating suites were closed for a full day to dedicate that time to the training.

This is the first time Womack offered the training, which was hands-on simulated training.

"Previously, similar training was offered through lectures in a classroom," said Phyllis Toor, nurse consultant for patient safety and TeamSTEPPS program manager.

The training is mandated by the Department of Defense and is usually offered on an as needed basis. Beginning about six months ago, Womack coordinated with MEDCOM to be able to offer this training to staff. Physicians, nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, technicians, orthopedics, ophthalmology, central sterile supply and many other staff members conducted the training.

"It is all part of national training designed to help medical staff at Womack improve communication in the operating rooms," said Col. Jeff Morgan, Deputy Commander for Clinical Services. "Patient safety is our priority and the training is a tool to help the team communicate better throughout the hospital."

Experts from MEDOM led the scenarios, which included a surgeon trying to rush nursing staff through a TeamSTEPPS time out checklist to a bio-burden on surgical equipment. Teams were split up and sent to different operating rooms to complete the scenarios under the instruction of the trainers. The staff had to adapt to the scenarios and resolve the issues.

Morgan, the mock surgeon in the scenario, was challenged by the staff for trying to rush the time out process.

"It's okay to challenge the surgeon, everyone is empowered for patient safety regardless of rank," said Morgan.