Improving teamwork during cardiac surgery can enhance patient safety, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement published in Circulation.
The scientific statement, "Patient Safety in the Cardiac Operating Room: Human Factors and Teamwork," summarizes studies on the effect of teamwork and culture on patient safety. The American Heart Association identified six "C's" that comprise the critical elements of teamwork:
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1. Communication. Effective communication is closely tied to team performance and outcomes.
2. Cooperation. Cooperation "captures the feelings, attitudes and beliefs that drive behavior," and is an essential part of teamwork, the report states.
3. Coordination. Coordination, the completion of interdependent actions, relies on mutual understanding among team members about their roles and responsibilities, which in turn depends on effective communication.
4. Cognition. Cognition is collective knowledge and shared understanding, which enables coordination and improves communication among team members.
5. Conflict resolution. Managing disagreements among team members is crucial for effectively working together.
6. Coaching. Coaching teams can improve team members' relationships and their performance.
More Articles on Teamwork in Healthcare:
5 Interventions to Improve Cardiac Surgery Patient Safety
Study: Verbal Abuse of Nurses Linked to Poor Work Environment
How ASCs Can Thrive Through Teamwork: Q&A With Administrator Joseph DeMarco
