Title : The implementation of the HUDDLE communication method in a chronic, adult, psychiatric facility
Abstract:
Effective communication is something all members of healthcare strive to achieve. To improve poor communication and to encourage interprofessional collaboration in a chronic, forensic, adult, psychiatric facility, the HUDDLE communication method was implemented on two different microsystems. Each microsystem utilized different treatment methods, which catered to different populations; one Social Learning Program and one New Outlook Program. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Patient Safety Culture survey was distributed at the beginning and end of the intervention implementation. To better gage the statistical significance of the HUDDLE method, pre- and post-surveys were completed on two control units, as well; one for each program intervention unit. The HUDDLE method was guided by what was called a HUDDLE board; a corkboard where all employees within the microsystem could ask questions, or make suggestions on note cards. Each weekday when the microsystem treatment team met, they would conduct a brief HUDDLE to address the recent additions to the board. Brief answers would be given to each card by responding on the same card the author used. If a card was completed addressed in the brief HUDDLE, the card would be moved to the “completed” section of the board. If a card needed to be addressed in the longer, weekly treatment team meeting, the card would be moved to the “Tx Team” section of the board so that the author would see that their card was being addressed later. The idea behind the board was to guide treatment team meetings to aid in streamlining them, while also including all microsystem staff, regardless of their ability to attend the meetings, in decision making. The direct line of communication aided in improving communication by making treatment team responses more timely and eliminating the “middle man”, which can increase the odds of miscommunication occurring. This poster presentation discusses the HUDDLE implementation process, survey results, and the overall response that the project received.
Audience Take Away:
• HUDDLE communication method is and evidence-based practice method proven to improve communication and collaboration. The method can be individualized to the practice setting, making it versatile.
• In a practice setting where 24-hour care is being provided, the inclusion of all microsystem employees increases the odds of positive patient care and successful patient outcomes. The HUDDLE method implemented with a type of communication tool, such as the corkboard in this project, can increase the inclusion of microsystem staff and intensify collaboration efforts.
• Poor communication and lack of teamwork negatively impact staffing and employee satisfaction. Improving communication, with the use of techniques such as the HUDDLE method, can improve these areas, thereby positively impacting other areas of healthcare, such as budgeting and patient satisfaction.
• The HUDDLE method can be completed with no materials or with basic items, such as a corkboard and note cards, which are relatively inexpensive, making it an economical intervention.
• Since daily HUDDLEs are meant to be brief and to the point, the method can be conducted in a manner that does not increase employee workload or impede the care of patients.
