Teamwork Promotes Safe and Ethical Behavior

Teamwork Promotes Safe and Ethical Behavior

07/17/2010

When was the last time you tried to name Disney’s Seven Dwarfs? (Doc, Grumpy, Dopey, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful and Happy.) It’s a safe bet t[...]

When was the last time you tried to name Disney’s Seven Dwarfs? (Doc, Grumpy, Dopey, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful and Happy.) It’s a safe bet the Seven Dwarfs knew each other’s names, and Snow White learned them pretty quickly. The dwarfs had to rely on each other, and Snow White had to rely on them. They were, in essence, a team, in part because of established obligations of fidelity.

Like the fictional world of Disney, our very real world of health care involves obligations of fidelity. These obligations arise whenever a health care professional establishes a significant relationship with someone else, usually a patient. Fidelity establishes a commitment to another person, a promise to be faithful and loyal. Obviously we need to establish this relationship with patients, but what about establishing one with our teammates?

We all know that our teams look different this time of year. July is a difficult time. The hospital is flooded with new interns and residents typically just after an influx of newly graduated nurses. We haven’t had a chance to get to know each other or establish relationships. A recent study reviewed deaths from medication errors and found a 10 percent spike in these events in teaching hospitals in July. The authors of the study hypothesized that part of the explanation for this was that medical residents operate more independently than on a team.

Anyone who has ever been involved in a medication error knows that an entire team is involved in the administration of medication, not just the physician. An intervention to improve patient safety offers a simple, reasonable opportunity for us to address the “July effect.” It’s called the activation phenomenon.

Better teamwork is observed when people on a team take the time to introduce themselves to each other. When people know the names of others on the team, they are more likely to speak up if they see a problem.

Take the time to establish a relationship with members of your new team. Introduce yourself and make sure your teammates know you are committed not just to patients, but also to the success of the team. Formally establishing fiduciary relationships with each other in support of safe, quality patient care promotes ethical practice.

Lucia D. Wocial, PhD, RN
Clarian Health Nurse Ethicist

To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Registered Nursing Position Indiana.

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Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:58:27 +0100

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Perpetual Students

Perpetual Students

06/23/2010

The first week in May is the week of the American Association of Poison Control Center’s national examination for Certified Specialists in Poiso[...]

The first week in May is the week of the American Association of Poison Control Center’s national examination for Certified Specialists in Poison Information. As employees of Indiana Poison Center, passing this examination is central to our continued careers – we all must be certified to work at the Center. Certification involves passing the exam the initial time and then re-certifying every 7 years.

Four of my colleagues are taking the exam this year, 2 re-certifying and 2 certifying for the first time. Naturally the anxiety level around the center has been high. People are constantly quizzing each other, researching answers on-line, even digging out textbooks to confirm their conclusions.

While I appreciate the natural nervousness that comes with taking exams, especially exams upon which one’s job is dependent, I am always glad to see exam time come around each year. It does wonders for the level of intellectual stimulation in the center! Instead of approaching days as routine, RNs are starting each day looking for new and different things “that might be on the test.” “Old” topics are reviewed and novel themes are discovered. Fresh approaches to known subjects are suddenly found, resulting in new knowledge.

It would be delightful if we could each find it within ourselves to keep that “study” mindset available year round. If we were always open and ready to learn, actively seeking knowledge, not just waiting for it to be fed to us, think what a difference it would make in our careers and our enjoyment of them!

Gwenn

Gwenn Christianson, MSN, RN, CSPI
Senior Partner and Team Leader
Indiana Poison Center, Methodist Hospital

To be a registered nurse at Clarian, visit Registered Nursing Position Indiana.

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Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:47:22 +0100

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