Predictors of successful implementation of preoperative briefings and postoperative debriefings after medical team training

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to examine which factors at a medical team training learning session predict future success in the implementation of preoperative briefings and postoperative debriefings at health care facilities. Methods A Likert score rating for physician involvement, leadership support, and composition of the implementation team was recorded for 64 VHA facilities at the time of a learning session by 3 medical team training educators. At a mean follow-up period of 8.2 months (standard error, .4 mo), a briefing score was established from quarterly semistructured interviews with the facility's implementation team. Results In a multivariable regression, leadership involvement at the time of the learning session was the best predictor of future briefing/debriefing success ( R = .34, P = .03). Conclusions Full implementation of the patient safety tool preoperative briefings and postoperative debriefings is dependent on facility leadership support.