How Does TeamSTEPPS Work?

I. Assessment

• Clearly define the need

II. Planning, Training, and Implementation

• Plan to sustain the effort
• Train individuals
• Implement and test the strategies

III. Sustainment

• Integrate into daily practice
• Monitor and measure programs

Slide Notes:

A TeamSTEPPS Initiative occurs in three continuous phases:

Phase I — Assessment (Set The Stage)

This phase determines our organizational readiness for the initiative.

1. Create a change team (the leaders and key staff who will drive the initiative).
2. Identify a specific opportunity for improvement that could be accomplished through better teamwork.
3. Formulate a vision for the initiative.
4. Use site assessment tools to determine if the necessary leadership support, information base, and resources are in place.

[Note: It is important to identify a specific opportunity for implementing TeamSTEPPS (i.e., a problem to fix).]

Phase II — Planning, Training, and Implementation (Decide What To Do and Make It Happen)

This phase is where planning and execution take place.

1. Develop an Action Plan specifying what will be done during the initiative (based on guidance from the TeamSTEPPS Implementation Guide).
2. Conduct training, implement the tools and strategies selected, and test the intervention.

Phase III — Sustainment (Make It Stick)

This phase is designed to sustain and spread the improvements in teamwork performance, clinical processes, and outcomes throughout the organization.

1. Users will integrate teamwork skills and tools into their daily practice.
2. Monitor and measure the programs ongoing effectiveness.
3. Develop an approach for continuous improvement and spread the imitative throughout the unit or organization.

TeamSTEPPS is an initiative designed to change how our teams work together on an ongoing basis. It’s not just about the training but about providing sufficient time for teams to continue to practice the teamwork tools and strategies in their daily work. For example, its important to have a change agent who leads periodic meetings for a few months after the training to discuss how the team is performing and using the tools.