When it comes to improving patient safety and care quality, it takes teamwork--within hospitals and among hospitals--to achieve success.
For instance, a hospital can improve its safety culture through team training, according to a new study in BMJ Quality & Safety.
Researchers looking at 24 hospitals that used a one-year collective learning program found a team approach can produce transformational change in hospital safety culture, according to the study.
Similarly, Iowa Health System has achieved success with team-based care, Becker's Hospital Review reported. Its advanced medical team pilots, which include care navigators and care coordination, have led to a large drop in hospital and emergency room admissions, as well as improved patient satisfaction and experience, the article noted.
Meanwhile, the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare and the South Carolina Hospital Association are using teamwork to improve patient safety and quality throughout the state, both organizations announced Monday.
Under the collaboration, CEOs and executives from 20 hospitals will meet regularly to help achieve zero patient harm. Participating hospitals also will share lessons learned and targeted solutions to other healthcare organizations.
Hospitals can use similar state-based teams that involve checklists and better communication to improve patient safety. By doing so, 100 hospital NICUs in nine states cut newborn CLABSIs by 58 percent in less than a year, FierceHealthcare previously reported.
For more:
- read the BMJ study abstract
- check out the Becker's article
- here's the TJC announcement