Safety huddle in mental health unit Qualitative evaluation study

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a newly introduced safety huddle project in a residential mental health unit with the aim of studying the huddle’s implementation and adaptation process, and analysing the staff perspective in the huddle project and their engagement with it. The Bradgate mental health unit began the safety huddle project as a quality improvement intervention in order to improve situational awareness among the staff and teamwork between individual wards. Methodology: This study used qualitative methodology, which involved two methods for data collection. Direct observations of the daily unit level huddle and semi-structured interviews with six staff members attended the huddle, and the huddle’s leader. Data were analysed using thematic analysis approach. Behavioral change theory was used to examine staff behaviours. Result: The study reflected on the used implementation approach and the staff’s comprehension on the safety huddle’ concepts and aim. The findings showed that the staff had different perception and attitudes on the safety huddle and its ability in improving safety level within the whole unit. There was a clear misconception about safety huddle’s concept and purpose among some staff members. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the staff adherence to the safety huddle are varied and the majority are doubting its value in improving safety level across the unit. The analysis of the finding using behavioural change theory and models showed that there was a strong correlation between staff adherence to safety huddle and leadership aspects. The study concluded the need for further interventions and recommended future work to improve staff engagement with the safety huddle