Challenging Unsafe Behaviours

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Staff may occasionally be concerned when they witness unconventional or unsafe practices in the workplace, but may lack the structure and tools to raise the issue with colleagues. This module will provide a standardised method which can be used to speak about safety concerns when they arise.

Click on the button below to download the Challenging unsafe behaviours module package, which contains detailed information including instructions on how to run the workshop session, facilitator notes, and outcomes template.

Challenging unsafe behaviours click

This module makes use of the Challenging unsafe behaviours facilitator presentation which should also be downloaded for use during the session. Please click here to download the facilitator presentation.

Please click the links below to download a modified version of this module which teams can use to conduct sessions via video conferencing rather than in-person.

Challenging Unsafe Behaviours remote session outline

Challenging Unsafe Behaviours remote outcomes template

Challenging unsafe behaviours facilitator presentation

For guidance on facilitating this remote module via video conferencing software, please see the next section.

When running this remote module, participants may need to be separated into sub-groups for discussions. Please view this brief video conferencing note for guidance on how to do this.

Note that your organisation may have policies on which video conferencing tools are permitted to be used.

This session will introduce a graded assertiveness method for team members to employ in situations where they have concerns about safety of a procedure or intervention being put in place. They will become familiarised in the method and its application first by watching video examples, then engaging in facilitated discussions.

1-2 team members can facilitate discussions and ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute. One facilitator can act as whiteboard/flip chart scribe to collect ideas and outputs, and identify common themes from discussions.

The session is structured as follows:

  1. Introduction and icebreaker (10 minutes)
  2. Video and discussion (15 minutes)
  3. Learning about the good "CUSS" words (5 minutes)
  4. Facilitated discussion (25 minutes)
  5. Close of session (5 minutes)

Good communication around safety between team members is a critical step in creating and ensuring an environment of good patient safety.1 Having a standardised tool with graded steps to communicate concerns about unsafe behaviours will aid in this process.

References

  1. O'Donovan R, Ward M, De Brún A, McAuliffe E. Safety culture in health care teams: A narrative review of the literature. J Nurs Manag. 2019 Jul;27(5):871-883. doi: 10.1111/jonm.12740.

About Us

Collective Leadership and Safety Cultures (Co-Lead) is a 5-year programme in UCD that is researching the impact of an emerging model of leadership (collective leadership) on team performance and healthcare safety.

We are designing and implementing collective leadership interventions for different team types and testing the impact of these interventions on staff performance and patient safety.

Contact Us

Co-Lead Research Programme,
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems,
Room B113, Health Sciences Centre,
University College Dublin
Belfield, Dublin 4.