Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) Practice Exam

What is the primary function of TeamSTEPPS in a healthcare setting?

1. Eliminate variation in care delivery

2. Help address disruptive behavior among staff

3. Find the root cause of clinical incidents

4. Reduce waste in hospital processes

The correct answer is: Help address disruptive behavior among staff

The primary function of TeamSTEPPS in a healthcare setting is indeed to enhance teamwork and communication among healthcare providers, which is crucial for patient safety and quality care. One of its key focuses is to address and manage disruptive behaviors among staff. Disruptive behaviors can negatively impact teamwork, lead to miscommunication, and ultimately compromise patient safety. By providing tools and strategies for effective communication, TeamSTEPPS helps create a culture of safety and respect, enabling staff to work collaboratively in a more positive environment. While eliminating variation in care delivery, finding the root cause of clinical incidents, and reducing waste in hospital processes are important aspects of healthcare improvement, these goals are not the primary focus of TeamSTEPPS. Instead, TeamSTEPPS specifically targets the dynamics of teamwork and communication, addressing behaviors that can hinder effective collaboration and potentially endanger patient outcomes. This focus on culture and teamwork makes it a vital component for fostering a safer healthcare environment.