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Description

From 2017 to 2018, a metropolitan pediatric hospital noted a 62.6% increase in calls to security for uncooperative patients related to physical aggression and acute behavioral decompensation. Even with annual de-escalation and restraint training, a 2019 survey conducted by clinical educators discovered only 27% of staff felt safe when handling an aggressive patient. This drove a collaborative initiative to formulate a multidisciplinary Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) to standardize care, emergently respond in behavioral situations, and act as a resource to staff. Nurse professional development (NPD) specialists were used to create and develop a multifaceted education approach including instructor-led training, simulation, a computer-based training program and a six-month post-implementation face-to-face content refresher and simulation. One-year post implementation, and over 100 BERT responses, a follow up survey revealed staffs’ perception of personal safety more than doubled to 55%. This illustrates the BERT is a valuable staff resource and supports a safer work environment. Continuous tracking of BERT activations, responses, and staff perceptions of personal safety will help fine tune the current process and allow for development of future programs to promote workplace safety. The success in development, training and implementation of the BERT on our main campus, has led to its adoption at other satellite hospitals.

Publication Date

2021

Disciplines

Pediatric Nursing

Improving Pediatric Healthcare Workers Personal Safety Through the Implementation of a Behavioral Rapid Response Team

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