Other Titles

Symposium: Workplace behaviors affecting patient safety: Role of nurses and physicians as partners in change

Abstract

Session presented on Saturday, July 26, 2014:

Purpose: Healthcare organizations face the challenge of disruptive behavior every day. Addressing these behaviors involves more than talking with the individuals involved. Acknowledging the power gradient as an underpinning of disruptive behavior, the lack of infrastructure to address the issue, the lack of policies and procedures and inconsistent support from leadership to resolve the issues in a meaningful way are essential to developing a zero tolerance culture.

Methods: Using results from IRB approved surveys about disruptive behavior from two healthcare organizations and other evidence, behavioral issues and patterns related to disruptive behavior were identified and used as the basis to develop an interdisciplinary toolkit. The intent was to provide comprehensive strategies to deal collaboratively with the power gradient and to identify the required structures and processes needed to resolve this organizational challenge.

Results: Survey results were similar between the two healthcare systems and with the 2009 American College of Physician Executive Survey. Disruptive behavior still exists within healthcare organizations, and a comprehensive approach is critical to finally resolve this enduring issue.

Conclusion: Developing an evidence based toolkit is an important first step in addressing disruptive behavior. Recognition of the factors influencing disruptive behavior, from the power gradient to the lack of organizational supports, informs the strategies included. Developing policies and procedures and educating all involved about behavioral expectations are approaches to demonstrating the organizational commitment to zero tolerance.

Authors

Nikki S. Polis

Author Details

Nikki S. Polis, PhD, RN, FNAP

Sigma Membership

Epsilon

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Collaboration, Disruptive Behavior, Nurse-Physician Relationships

Conference Name

25th International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Hong Kong

Conference Year

2014

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Disruptive behavior between physicians and nurses: Building the interdisciplinary toolkit for change

Hong Kong

Session presented on Saturday, July 26, 2014:

Purpose: Healthcare organizations face the challenge of disruptive behavior every day. Addressing these behaviors involves more than talking with the individuals involved. Acknowledging the power gradient as an underpinning of disruptive behavior, the lack of infrastructure to address the issue, the lack of policies and procedures and inconsistent support from leadership to resolve the issues in a meaningful way are essential to developing a zero tolerance culture.

Methods: Using results from IRB approved surveys about disruptive behavior from two healthcare organizations and other evidence, behavioral issues and patterns related to disruptive behavior were identified and used as the basis to develop an interdisciplinary toolkit. The intent was to provide comprehensive strategies to deal collaboratively with the power gradient and to identify the required structures and processes needed to resolve this organizational challenge.

Results: Survey results were similar between the two healthcare systems and with the 2009 American College of Physician Executive Survey. Disruptive behavior still exists within healthcare organizations, and a comprehensive approach is critical to finally resolve this enduring issue.

Conclusion: Developing an evidence based toolkit is an important first step in addressing disruptive behavior. Recognition of the factors influencing disruptive behavior, from the power gradient to the lack of organizational supports, informs the strategies included. Developing policies and procedures and educating all involved about behavioral expectations are approaches to demonstrating the organizational commitment to zero tolerance.