Terminal care: improving teamwork in primary care using Significant Event Analysis.
Significant Event Analysis can be used to improve the effectiveness of a Primary Health Care Team caring for terminally ill patients. A method of doing this is described in detail. Positive team qualities were confirmed and enhanced. Significant areas for improvement were identified: insufficient information had been given to some key workers, changes in medication had been poorly planned, continuity of care, and emotional and professional support of team members were inadequate. A strategy for change was developed and implemented. Performance was reviewed a year later. It was found that the Significant Event Analysis had caused changes in team practices, and was valid and reliable enough to be used as a tool for improving teamwork in primary care in future.
Benett
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Danczak
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D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*