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Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a demanding process, posing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual challenges for patients and families. To ensure patients and their families are supported and to help with potential stressors during this treatment, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is critical. At this institution, a multidisciplinary team meets with patients and families prior to HCT admission to develop a supportive care assessment and plan. A tool was developed to provide communication of the assessment and plan to the bedside nurses. The purpose of this study was to identify a) how to improve teamwork and effectiveness of producing and implementing an individualized comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment and b) how to improve communication and utilization of the plan to bedside nurses.
Methods, Intervention, & Analysis
Upon approval from IRB, a validated team behavior survey, TeamSTEPPS 2.0, was distributed to each member of the multidisciplinary team. A separate, nurse-specific survey, assessing the application and utilization of the new tool at the bedside was distributed to staff nurses.
Findings & Interpretation
Response rate for the nurse-specific survey was 43% and 63% for the multidisciplinary team survey. Although 100% of team members agreed they had a clear vision and vital role, only 35% believed the department had clear expectations of the team. Respondents recognized the following areas as necessary to the production and implementation of an effective assessment and plan: a) participation by all disciplines, b) recognition and constructive feedback among team members, and c) short- and long-term planning. Most nurses found the plan helpful in identifying issues relevant to providing bedside care.
Discussion & Implications
A comprehensive multidisciplinary team is essential when caring for patients and families undergoing HCT. Developing an easily accessible communication tool is important to bedside nurses caring for this population. To produce and implement such a tool effectively, teamwork is fundamental.