Interprofessional Team Collaboration and Work Environment Health in 68 US Intensive Care Units

Activity Summary

Teamwork and a healthy work environment are especially important in intensive care units (ICUs), where over 4 million patients are admitted and 500 000 patients die each year in the United States. In addition to the high mortality rate, more medical errors and complications can occur in ICUs than in other units. Studies have shown that ICUs with low levels of team coordination, communication, and support have poorer guideline implementation, ICU protocol use, patient outcomes, and staff satisfaction. Similarly, compared with unhealthy work environments, healthy work environments are associated with better workplace interpersonal relationships, job performance, productivity, and patient safety and quality indicators. Quality patient care and staff well-being also depend on the foundation of strong teams working in healthy environments. One of the key characteristics of an effective team is cohesive teamwork, which is often measured as interprofessional.

Objectives

List the common members of the intensive care unit (ICU) interprofessional team.
Describe several barriers to teamwork and healthy work environments in ICUs.
Identify at least 1 strategy for improving teamwork and/or healthy work environment in the ICU.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.