Multidisciplinary Staff Perspectives on Safety Huddles  Do Huddles Improve Communication and Patient Safety?

Evidence from the literature shows that safety HUDDLES (Healthcare Utilizing Deliberate Discussion Linking Events) can enhance inter-professional relationships through improved communication, and consequently increases situational awareness among health care professionals. However, very few studies have explored staff perception of these huddles. Our aim was to assess the perspective of front line staff on the impact of safety huddles and explore further strategies to improve their delivery, enhancing situational awareness to improve patient safety. Safety huddles were implemented on two inpatient wards of a tertiary children’s hospital [Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London, UK]. A staff survey was conducted at two time points post initiation of the huddles (18 months and 30 months) using a questionnaire to evaluate the perception of staff regarding these huddles. The questionnaire was devised and scored via Likert scales and free text responses. Staff felt that safety huddles played a crucial part in highlighting patient problems and identifying clinical deterioration. It also improved communication amongst the team reducing anxiety and enhanced team cohesiveness Safety huddles had an extremely positive influence on front line staff. They can be easily implemented in health care setting to increase situational awareness. They also improve team work and communication, thus enhancing patient safety. Considering their positive impact, safety huddles have been introduced to other wards and specialities across the hospital (GOSH). Huddles have also been included in the RCPCH S.A.F.E programme as one of the most important and core interventions to improve situational awareness.