The effect of simulation-based crew resource management training on measurable teamwork and communication among interprofessional teams caring for postoperative patients.

BACKGROUND: Many adverse events in health care are caused by teamwork and communication breakdown. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a point-of-care simulation-based team training curriculum on measurable teamwork and communication skills in staff caring for postoperative patients.
METHODS: Twelve facilities involving 334 perioperative surgical staff underwent simulation-based training. Pretest and posttest self-report data included the Self-Efficacy of Teamwork Competencies Scale. Observational data were captured with the Clinical Teamwork Scale.
RESULTS: Teamwork scores (measured on a five-point Likert scale) improved for all eight survey questions by an average of 18% (3.7 to 4.4, p < .05). The observed communication rating (scale of 1 to 10) increased by 16% (5.6 to 6.4, p < .05).
CONCLUSION: Simulation-based team training for staff caring for perioperative patients is associated with measurable improvements in teamwork and communication. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.