1) General info and tools

AHRQ Quality Toolkit: "Patient Safety Through Teamwork and Communication"

AHRQ video: "CUSP Improving Teamwork and Communication"  

2) Establish structured communication tools

AHRQ TeamSTEPPS Essentials Course

AHRQ TeamSTEPPS Long Term Care Essentials Course 

TeamSTEPPS presentation outlining communication tools: [PDF]

IHI: "Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation(SBAR) Toolkit"

AHRQ/Denver Health Medical Center Communication Toolkit 

AHRQ CUSP Rounds Observation Template: This tool provides a structured approach for improving teamwork and communication behaviors that would otherwise bring down staff morale and patient care delivery across and between disciplines.

AHRQ CUSP Daily Goals Worksheet: This tool improves communication among care team and family members regarding the patient's care plan (also posted in Patient/Family Engagement) (Hospital Only)

Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers Interact II (Long Term Care)

3) Develop a structured hand-off process

AHRQ Hand-off Primer

AHRQ Hand Off Video for Long Term Care

AHRQ CUSP Morning Briefing Template: This tool provides a structured approach to help physicians and nurses identify the problems that occurred during the night and potential problems that may occur during the clinical day.

4) Establish a "stop-the-line" policy

Barnes Jewish Hospital: Example of "Stop the Line" policy