Keywords

healthcare team, medical errors, obstetrics, organizational culture, patient safety, risk management

 

Authors

  1. Miller, Lisa A. CNM, JD

Abstract

Recent data reveal communication issues and organizational culture to be key factors in adverse perinatal outcomes. Hierarchical communication is common in healthcare and can be a significant impediment to safe care. Principles of teamwork employed by other industries, such as aviation and the military, can be appropriately applied to healthcare. This article provides a brief introduction to Crew Resource Management as well as a listing of print, multimedia, and Web resources for clinicians interested in promoting cultural change and effective teamwork.