AHRQ Safety Program for Long-term Care: HAIs/CAUTI

A Team Member’s Guide to a Culture of Safety

Onboarding #1 for All Long-term Care Staff

Upon completion of this session, long-term care staff will:

• list three characteristics of a culture of safety;

• discuss the importance of a culture of safety in achieving positive resident outcomes; and

• explain the importance of their role in supporting a culture of safety.

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Learning Objectives

Why Are We Talking About a Culture of Safety?

The HAIs/CAUTI-LTC Program has two overarching goals:

– Reduce catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in participating long-term care facilities.

– Improve safety culture.

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T.E.A.M.S. Intervention (A.K.A. the Cultural Intervention)

• Team formation to plan and implement program

• Excellent communication skills learned

• Assess what’s working and plan to expand

• Meet monthly to learn together

• Sustain efforts and celebrate success

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What is Culture?

Culture consists of values, attitudes and beliefs that can have

an impact on outcomes of resident care.

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Why is a Culture of Safety Important?

• Culture is linked to clinical and operational outcomes in health care.

• By creating a culture of safety, resident care and outcomes will improve.

• Implementing any change is influenced by culture.

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How Can YOU Support a Culture of Safety?

• Communicate, communicate, communicate

• Put safety first and aim for prevention

• Work as a team

• Participate in organizational learning opportunities (e.g., in-services)

• Comply with procedures

• Provide feedback regarding errors and incidents

• Participate in the Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture

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Your Role in HAIs/CAUTI-LTC

• Help educate peers/teammates formally and by example

• Relay project information to residents, families and other staff

• Communicate with physicians and non-physician providers

• Monitor for and report small changes in a resident's condition

• Participate in training and in-services

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Your Role in HAIs/CAUTI-LTC

• Help the team identify practical ways to:

– Ensure proper catheter insertion and maintenance.

– Achieve routine assessments of catheter necessity.

– Improve teamwork with your team and other facility staff.

– Make the long-term care safer for residents.

• Collect and report infection control data.

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T.E.A.M.S.

• Team formation to plan and implement program

• Excellent communication skills learned

• Assess what is working and plan to expand

• Meet monthly to learn together

• Sustain efforts and celebrate success

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• What are three characteristics of a culture of safety?

• Why is a culture of safety essential to achieve positive resident outcomes?

• What can you do to support a culture of safety?

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Wrap Up Discussion

Stay Updated with Useful Resources

1. AHRQ Safety Program for Long-term Care: HAIs/CAUTI Project Website

Login information

Username: ltcsafetyPassword: ltcsafety

2. TeamSTEPPS® for Long-term Care

3. Long-term Care Safety Toolkit—Coming Soon!

4. T.E.A.M.S. Infographic