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Topgun Pilots Teach Teamwork Training to Save Patients’ Lives
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Added: 05/23/2006
Type: Summary
Viewed: 407 time(s)
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Topgun Pilots Teach Teamwork Training to Save Patients’ Lives
Team building and communication are increasingly becoming a rising priority in the nation’s healthcare industry. However, a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons titled, “Operating Room Teamwork among Physicians and Nurses: Teamwork in the Eye of the Beholder” reveals that lack of communication continues to plague America’s surgical teams. The ineffective communications cited in the study frequently lead to headline grabbing mistakes in the OR, such as surgeries on the wrong person or body part.
To counter the communication-induced errors many hospitals are turning to the former fighter pilots of LifeWings Partners LLC. LifeWings offers a cutting-edged aviation-based safety system that prevents patient-harming errors.
The LifeWings system is based on the aviation model of Crew Resource Management (CRM), which is required for the nation’s military and commercial airlines to ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency. “Hospitals using the LifeWings’ CRM-based program have made quantum improvements in safety and productivity,” said Steve Harden, President of LifeWings Partners LLC. “As the word spreads about the effectiveness of the program, we have been able to help over 40 hospitals and 20,000 healthcare providers improve communication, efficiency, and patient safety.”
The LifeWings team is composed of veteran fighter pilots, airline captains, former NASA astronauts, and active physicians dedicated to improving patient safety. “Though our team members all come from different backgrounds, we are single minded in our mission to help create a culture of safety in healthcare,” says Mr. Harden.
According to a second study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons titled, “The Impact of Aviation-Based Teamwork Training on the Attitudes of Health-Care Professionals,” which polled 489 active physicians, technicians, nurses, and administrative personnel, 95% agreed that the CRM training would reduce errors in their practice.
Karen Sexton, RN, PhD, CHE, Vice President and CEO of The University of Texas Medical Branch—Galveston agrees stating, “The teamwork skills workshops were some of the most effective training sessions we have ever seen. LifeWings has created many ‘converts’ among our faculty and staff.”
As many hospitals and surgical teams around the country continue to struggle with the consequences of poor communication and teamwork, other facilities including The University of Texas Medical Branch, Vassar Brothers University Medical Center—NY, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center—TN are using the LifeWings system to take a pro-active approach to improve these deficiencies.
About LifeWings Partners LLC
LifeWings Partners LLC was founded by a former U.S. Navy Topgun instructor and commercial airline pilot. The firm specializes in applying aviation-based teamwork training and safety tools to help healthcare facilities eliminate preventable medical errors, provide safer care, and reduce costs. The firm has helped over 40 facilities improve efficiency and provide better care to their patients. Measurable results are found in all LifeWings initiatives, including one hospital that experienced a 43% improvement in their observed to expected mortality figures. The firm also conducts Leadership Development workshops for healthcare executives and leaders. |
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