Post-crisis debriefing: A tool for improving quality in the medical emergency team system

Abstract

Objectives: To examine clinicians' perception of quality of technical and non-technical response to emergencies and application of post crisis debriefing.

Design: Descriptive, anonymous, self-reporting survey on the needs and perception of a post-crisis debriefing implementation.

Setting: Multi-specialist medical institute in Italy focused on solid organ transplantation and organ failure support.

Main outcomes: Perception of application of guidelines and evaluation of debriefing implementation during in-hospital emergencies.

Results: Response rate to the survey was 25% (148 health care workers). Of all respondents, 86% were employed >10 years, 75% were involved in ≤5 emergencies over the previous year. Resuscitation guidelines were considered fully applied by 55%; 64% of respondents considered the teaching programme as sufficient. Of all participants, 97% were aware of the importance of teamwork dynamics, 79% were aware of the importance of the personal performance, and 52% considered emergencies as valid opportunities for professional growth. Leadership was considered important by 45% of respondents; debriefing implemented by 41%, and considered a potentially useful tool by 85%.

Conclusion: Post-crisis debriefing is a way to diffuse self-reflective and life-long learning culture; it is perceived as a powerful tool for improving quality of the rapid response system by the vast majority of those surveyed.

Keywords: Communication; Crisis resource management; Emergency; ICU; Intensive care medicine; Leadership; Patient safety; Teamwork.