Enhancing Clinical Support and Collaboration through Creation of a Standardized Critical Event Debrief Process

Poster PresentationPurpose for the ProgramObstetric‐related critical events are self‐defined, often unexpected, traumatic events with the potential to involve multiple staff members that result in strong emotional responses for which usual coping mechanisms may be ineffective. Health care professionals are trained to clinically respond to patient‐related events; however, they may not have the resources to adequately respond to emotions triggered by these events. Health care providers in these situations may have feelings of worry or grief after the event. If these feelings are not addressed, they may lead to increased stress, hindrance of the ability to provide good care, and burnout. Debriefing is a group meeting arranged for the purpose of recounting and fact gathering after a critical event has occurred. The purpose is to help review processes and improve clinical practice, provide staff with emotional and psychologic support, and foster teamwork.Proposed ChangeTo conduct a standardized debrief with the individuals involved in a critical event to help staff members discuss the event and identify who may need additional clinical or emotional support.Implementation, Outcomes, and EvaluationThis hospital created a standardized debrief tool for utilization in newly established critical event debriefs. Critical events were described as self‐identified and included near misses, significant medication errors, and adverse events. As frontline leaders, unit‐charge nurses ...

Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - June 4, 2015 Category: Nursing Authors: Susan Faron, Jacqueline B. Hiner, Jacqueline B. Hiner Tags: Professional Issues Source Type: research