Improving Teamwork and Communication in Schools of Nursing: A Quality Improvement Approach Using TeamSTEPPS.

Abstract

Teamwork training has been identified as an intervention to promote collaboration, improve communication, and reduce conflict. While teamwork training has been implemented in the clinical setting, most schools of nursing are lacking in standardized teamwork training programs. A lack of teamwork, poor communication, and deficient conflict resolution skills among faculty and staff was impacting the ability to form supportive relationships in the interest of working collaboratively. This quality improvement (QI) project examined perceptions of teamwork at 3 points over 18 months. Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) was adapted for the academic setting and used for the intervention. Results indicated significant improvement in Team Structure, Leadership, and Communication. Situation Monitoring and Mutual Support were identified for continued development. Results suggest that a QI intervention using TeamSTEPPS improved teamwork, communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution in one academic setting.