TeamSTEPPS™ at UNC: Background

In September 2007, UNC Health Care was awarded a two-year contract with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) called TeamSTEPPS™ Adoption in ACTION designed to implement and measure the effectiveness of TeamSTEPPS™. The Pediatric and Surgical ICUs implemented TeamSTEPPS™ through training of faculty, residents, and staff. Observations of teamwork have shown sustained improvements in non-technical skills. Since implementation in the pilot areas, TeamSTEPPS™ has spread to more than 18 clinical areas. For a detailed timeline, see UNC HCS History of TeamSTEPPS™.

TeamSTEPPS™ is an evidence-based teamwork system aimed at optimizing patient outcomes by improving communication and other teamwork skills among health care professionals. It includes a comprehensive set of ready to-use materials and training curricula necessary to integrate teamwork principles successfully into the health care system. TeamSTEPPS™ was developed by the Department of Defense Patient Safety Program, in collaboration with AHRQ. To learn more about AHRQ's National Implementation Project and order training materials, visit their web site.

For more information about TeamSTEPPS™, please contact Erin Burgess or Celeste Mayer, PhD.