Resident Safety Huddles: Our Department's Experience in Improving Safety Culture

Abstract

Objective/Hypothesis: Our department sought to develop a quality improvement initiative in the interest of promoting resident involvement within the departmental safety culture. Specifically, we aimed to identify any barriers to incident reporting among residents and to create an approach to rectify this problem.Study Design: Patient Safety/Quality Improvement. Methods: This is a descriptive, qualitative study taking place at a large teaching hospital. A brief survey was administered to all Otorhinolaryngology residents and based on feedback a two-pronged approach to creating a patient safety and quality improvement curriculum was undertaken. This entailed implementation of 1) a formalized online curriculum and 2) a resident-driven forum for discussion of safety concerns termed a "Resident Safety Huddle."Results: The survey identified three main barriers to incident reporting among residents, including increased workload, the punitive nature of the system, and fear of retribution. During the study period, the residents completed the curriculum required to obtain the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Basic Certificate of Quality and Safety and participated in 10 Resident Safety Huddles. Each huddle was dedicated to discussion of a unique safety concern and frequently led to sustainable solutions. After implementation of this curriculum, an increase in the number of safety events reported by residents was recognized.Conclusions: In building an educational foundation for incident reporting and further bolstering it with a resident-driven forum for discussion of safety concerns, we were able to achieve a recognizable and meaningful impact on our residents and the greater departmental safety culture.

Perceptions of U.S. and U.K. Incident Reporting Systems: A Scoping Review

“…20,[34][35][36][37] Providers in 3 out of 11 U.S. 34,37,38 and 4 out of 8 U.K. publications 27,30,32,39 perceived little collaboration, with reporting safety concerns not encouraged and respected by leadership. Providers in 5 of 11 U.S. 35,36,38,40,41 and 5 of 8 U.K. publications 27,28,30,32,33,39 noted a scarcity of timely feedback 27,28,30,32,33 and sustainable changes 27,28,32,33,39 following report submission, leading providers to believe the process was pointless. Providers in the U.S.…”

Implementing a safety huddle for fall prevention and awareness

“…Fall risk assessment is an integral part of the delivery of safe, quality patient care and should be held to the highest standards to reduce injuries that can impact quality of life and cost to the institution. [1][2][3]5,7 The consequences of falls should remain a point of consideration for all healthcare staff. It's vital that staff understand how to identify patients who are at risk and to implement measures to reduce the potential for fall and harm to the patient.…”

“…The project reviewed the current fall policy, the use of the institution's online reporting system for safety events, and the focus on a comprehensive method for assessing and evaluating fall risk. The project focused on the implementation of a safety segment as part of the existing daily huddle to improve safety and to promote awareness of fall safety practices 2. All three clinics are in the same building, same department, and consist of skilled multidisciplinary teams that provide primary and consultative care.…”

“…The project focused on the implementation of a safety segment as part of the existing daily huddle to improve safety and to promote awareness of fall safety practices. 2 All three clinics are in the same building, same department, and consist of skilled multidisciplinary teams that provide primary and consultative care.…”

Safety huddles in paediatric intensive care unit: implementation and staff perception in a resource limited setting

“…It was realised that safety huddles can help in creating a safety culture by providing a platform for frontline personnel to deal with safety issues, create plans and celebrate success. [5][6][7] influence the entire approach of the team. Discussing patients' problem as a team reminds every member that patient safety is a shared responsibility, and that they are not alone in creating a safe and effective plan 12,17,18 Nurses who make it a routine daily practice have smoother workdays and lesser amount of stress all around.…”