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Teamwork and communication at the ED

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  3. Patient safety Essentials in the Emergency Department.
  4. Team work & communication at the ED
  5. Teamwork and communication at the ED
Course Content
Why Patient safety Matters in the Emergency Room
Reinforce urgency with local context (e.g., Ridge Hospital incident in the media) to connect emotionally. Fast-paced, high-risk environment → errors can be fatal. African EDs face staff shortages, overcrowding, and limited resources.
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Why does patient safety matter in the Emergency room?
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Patient safety Essentials for ED
Common Patient Safety Risk in the ED
Workplace violence affects staff safety. The lesson shows where things go wrong most often so staff can recognize red flags early.
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Common Patient safety Risk in the ED
WHO Patient safety Goals for Emergency Care and the Swiss cheese model of safety.
These are the safety goals by the WHO recommendation. The Swiss Cheese model is a simple explanation - No one mistake causes harm. It's usually a chain of small failures. Staff must act as barriers, not holes.
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WHO Patient safety goals & Swiss cheese model
Patient Safety Essentials
These are the non-negotiable basics every Emergency Department team member must master.
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Patient Safety Essentials
Case Vignette
Team work & communication at the ED
Strong communication saves lives and reduces conflict, especially in high-pressure ED Situations. Remind staff that a safe, protected team can provide safer patient care.
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Teamwork and communication at the ED
Tools and checklist
Printable Patient Safety checklist
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Printable patient safety checklist
Patient safety Essentials in the Emergency Department.

Strong communication is essential, and we can improve our teamwork and communication by 

  • Use SBAR for handovers
  • Encourage “speaking up” culture
  • Daily safety huddles

SBAR Handover Model

  • Situation: What is happening?
  • Background: What is the clinical context?
  • Assessment: What is the problem now?
  • Recommendation: What do you suggest should happen?

Staff Safety = Patient Safety

  • PPE use and infection protection
  • Managing workplace violence by putting in place some safety measures.
  • Fatigue & burnout prevention- Psychological safety activities. 

Remind staff: a safe, protected team can provide safer patient care.

Quick Wins – What You Can Do Today

  • Always verify patient identity
  • Use SBAR during every handover
  • Escalate concerns immediately
  • Document vital signs consistently

Call to Action

Patient safety is everyone’s responsibility.

  • Nurses: Be vigilant gatekeepers
  • Doctors: Ensure clear communication
  • Administrators: Support safety culture
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