Briefs and huddles toolkit

Summary

This toolkit is available by request to the Department of Defence Patient Safety Programme.

Content

The benefits of team events like briefs and huddles are documented. Briefs, or briefings, are planning events that occur before a case (for example, in the operating room), a shift, a procedure, a day in the clinic/office, or before an intervention. The brief allows the team leader to explain what is going to happen, cover pertinent contingencies, get input from each member of the team (including the patient), and ensure that each team member knows his or her roles and responsibilities.

Huddles are team events for problem solving and updating the plan. Anyone can call for a huddle to deal with new issues, added complexities, unusual circumstances, or any need to adapt the earlier plan. Huddles occur frequently throughout the health care system and many times throughout the day.

Briefs and huddles can be used in virtually any health care venue.

The Briefs and huddles toolkit contains everything you need to implement briefs and huddles in your health care organisation. The toolkit includes:

• Toolkit overview
• Toolkit user guide
• Briefs and huddles facilitation guide
• Briefs and huddles facilitation slides
• Handout
• Briefs and huddles quick review
• Additional resources
• Action planning guide
• Toolkit evaluation form.