Influencing a Culture of Quality and Safety Through Huddles

Background: Literature shows that interdisciplinary huddles help promote clear communication and proactive reporting of potential errors. Local Problem: High reliability organization (HRO) and just culture models were implemented, yet fragmented team communication about patient safety remained. Huddles were implemented to identify and address patient safety issues. Methods: A pre/postintervention design was used. Near-miss and actual event safety metrics, patient satisfaction, and employee satisfaction/work group perceptions were measured at 3 time points over 1 year. Interventions: Daily interdisciplinary huddles were implemented to improve communication, reduce errors, and improve patient and employee satisfaction. Results: Near-miss reporting increased across time points. Patient satisfaction with how the staff worked together to provide care significantly increased over time. Employee satisfaction and perception of work group communication, collaboration, and psychological safety scores improved, however, were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Implementing huddles demonstrated improved outcomes in patient safety, patient satisfaction, and employee satisfaction/work group perceptions.