Teambuilding in Critical Care

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Promoting Cultural Change in Critical Care
Originally published in the June issue of Critical Connections Volume 4, Numer 3

Culture is one of the most mysterious and deeply rooted issues in organizations. Many complete their ICU training without ever formally being exposed or introduced to organizational culture. They finish training without knowing what it is, how to measure it or how to change it, or why one would want to do any of this. Every organization has an invisible quality -- a certain style, a distinct character, or a particular a way of doing things -- that may be more powerful than the dictates of any one person or formal system. This invisible quality is defined as the organization culture, and it dictates how effective the organization is. While organizational culture can be adaptive and change in response to times and markets, it also can be dysfunctional and prevent an organization from changing when needed.

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Managing Team Conflict
Originally printed in the April issue of Critical Connections Volume 4, Number 2

One of the greatest challenges a team leader can have is managing team conflict. Every team experiences conflict. Any time people come together to resolve a problem, to discuss ideas to improve care, and to review processes that change delivery of care, conflict may be present. The question becomes how to manage conflict effectively so discussions can take place to resolve the issue at hand. This conflict management must take place while also providing the best quality patient care.

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Tools for Effective Team Communication
Originally printed in the February issue of Critical Connections Volume 4, Number 1

How can communication among the healthcare providers from many disciplines caring for critically ill patients be fostered so that the patients receive high quality care with minimal errors?

As a team member listening to the message, you should ask questions for clarity and understanding. For example, how might a daily goals sheet help us care for the patient with hypertensive urgency? The distribution of complex patient information among disciplines is a constant challenge in the ICU. Taking time to contact each team member individually to inform them of the plan of care creates redundancy and leads to lost time. Creating tools like the daily goal sheets, discussing the patient’s care in a multiprofessional team setting, and outlining the objectives of the day will generate an efficient and streamlined approach to your work.

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Proven Stategies for Keeping a Team on Track
Originally printed in the December issue of Critical Connections Volume 3, Number 6

One of the keys to a successful ICU team is clear and concise communication. There are many tools available to improve the way messages are being delivered and received. Active listening, positive voice tone, daily goal sheets, those pieces play an important part of accurately getting the message across to every member of the multiprofessional team. Communication can guarantee accuracy, safety and efficiency thus improving the quality of patient care.

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Making a Change
Originally printed in the October 2004 issue of Critical Connections Volume 3, Number 5

The multiprofessional team approach in caring for critically ill patients has many benefits including improved outcomes and lowered healthcare costs. Even though currently there are studies and statistics supporting patient-centered multiprofessional care, many critical care practitioners struggle with implementing changes in their units. Creating an environment that allows for teamwork to blossom can be challenging.

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