Nursing satisfaction with teamwork in the Intensive Care Unit.

Abstract

AIM: To survey nursing staff about their perceptions of teamwork during a rapid expansion of the ICU service. METHODOLOGY: Staff were invited via email to complete a survey on SurveyMonkey. The survey tool was developed and validated by Beatrice J. Kalisch, RN, PhD, FAAN who gave written permission to make limited modifications to job titles and roles for Australian use. The tool explores staff characteristics, work environment characteristics as they relate to the level of perceived teamwork. RESULTS: 100 surveys were distributed and 45 were returned. The responses were anonymous. Measures of role satisfaction were very high as was satisfaction with the level of teamwork in the unit. 94% were satisfied in their role as a nurse and 88% were satisfied with their role in the unit. 90% were satisfied or very satisfied with the level of teamwork in the ICU. 90% of respondents had no plans to leave their job in the next year. Team members usually respond willingly to patients other than their own when other team members are busy and the participants appreciate the level of support provided by ANUMs and team leaders in balancing the workload within the team. The levels of respect within the team were high overall but there was a small number of staff who did not feel respected. Overall the results show that team leadership, mutual trust and backup behaviours were at a high level. Mutual performance monitoring needs strengthening. Participants reported that if a staff member on one shift is unable to complete their work, staff on the on-coming shift tend to complain about it. Staff have a tendency to tolerate mistakes and annoying behaviours of team mates rather than discuss these with them. The survey has had the effect of raising awareness about team behaviours that have a positive or negative effect on team performance and has been a useful learning process for the ICU nursing team.