Healthcare time-outs are known to reduce patient harm and improve hospital safety culture. Scientists conducting research on healthcare time-outs, published in the British Medical Journal of Quality and Safety, found five specific benefits of time-outs to patient safety and healthcare quality that led to cultures of collaboration in upholding patient safety:
1. Improved efficiencies
2. Increased quality of information sharing
3. Increased levels of accountability
4. Greater sense of empowerment
5. Greater sense of community
Researchers, who interviewed providers involved in the huddle system at a children's hospital, concluded understanding the way healthcare time-outs improve patient safety is important to further progress in reducing patient harm.
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