29
Volume1 Issue4
|
I
ssues and
P
eople
Theway ahead
Dentists, likeother highly trained
professionals,will commit errors,
which togetherwithever-increasing
expectationsof dental patients
20
are
reflected in thegrowingnumbers
of complaints against dentists. The
applicationof CRMprotocols can
reduce the frequencyof errors and
improvepatient safety inmedical
practice.
4,19
Theuseof achecklist has
beenadoptedbyanaesthesiaand
surgical teams inmanyhospitals
21
and
isnow starting tobeembracedby
thedental profession, as illustrated
by theRCDSOguidelines regarding
implant therapy.
22
The implementation
of checklists is apositive step for
improvingpatient safetyand treatment
outcomes. Ina relatedpreventive
approach, ongoinganalysisof adverse
outcomes enablespractitioners to
learn fromoneanother. TheRCDSO
andother oral healthorganizations
that aim toprotect thewell-being
of thepublicpublishpracticealerts,
complainant reviews andanalysesof
litigations against dentists. A reviewof
acomplaint isnot undertaken tovilifya
specificpractitioner. Instead, cases are
presented to illustratecommoncauses
of complaints andhow theymight be
mitigated in the future.
Conclusion
Current trendsemphasize
implementationof approaches in
whichprofessionalsand institutions
employbetter communication, practice
standardization, teamwork, self-reporting
andcultural changes. Theseelements
of improvedpractice typifyCRMand if
appropriatelyapplied todental practice
could lead to improvedpatient safety
andbetter treatmentoutcomes. CRM
couldbeavital step inhealthcare
deliverybecominganHRO.
a
References
Complete listofreferencesavailableat
Communication
Teamwork
TaskManagement
EffectiveBriefing
- Set anopen tone
- Outline theplan
- Allocate tasks
Leadership
- Balanceauthorityandassertiveness
- Useall available resources
- Sethigh standards
PlanningandConduct
- Planand stayahead
- Maintain situational awareness
- Changeplan if needed
Interpersonal Skills
- Share information
- Suggest solutions
- Speakassertivelywhen required
Followership
- Activelymonitor andparticipate
- Backupand support
- Promptothersappropriately
WorkloadManagement
- Recognizeoverload in self andothers
- Avoiddistraction
- Take time
Methods
- Listenactively
- Confirmunderstanding
- Shareassessments
TeamRelations
- Adopt a friendlyand relaxed tone
- Manageconflicts
- Adapt toothers’ needs
Decisions
- Identifyproblemsaccurately
- Involveothers
- Evaluateand re-evaluate
*Adapted from:Dahlströmandcolleagues.
23
The factors listedabove illustrate importantconceptualelementstoenable integrationofcommunication,teamworkandtaskmanagementtoavoidaccidentsand improve
patientsafety.
Table1:
Skillsneeded for CrewResourceManagement (CRM) development indental offices.*
Didyouknow...
A recent
Journal of theAmericanMedicalAssociation
editorial proposedbanning
handshakes inhealthcare settings, likening the removal of this cultural custom
to thebanningof smoking inpublicplaces. Theauthorsproposedposting signs
that say “
Handshake-freezone: toprotect yourhealthand thehealthof thosearound
you, please refrain from shakinghandswhileon thesepremises.”
