March 18, 2019: Last week I asked you to think about the value of feedback and why it’s important. There are three basic types of feedback, in-the-moment peer feedback, just-in-time peer feedback, and formal peer feedback during annual focal point review.
I’d like to focus on in-the-moment peer feedback and why it’s critical to use correctly to improve patient safety and professional practice.
In-the-moment peer feedback occurs when you are working together as partners in providing patient care or work that impacts safety. There are five recommended steps to follow so no one has to guess what you mean and this helps to avoid misunderstanding and confusion.
In-the-moment peer feedback is just what it says, feedback that is provided in the moment – when you actually witness something that jeopardizes patient safety.
Here’s an example: You witness a coworker not washing or using gel to clean their hands before entering a patient’s room. You provide in-the-moment peer feedback when they exit the patient’s room by following these five steps:
- Step one: Notice something – “I noticed you didn’t wash or use gel to clean your hands before you entered the patient’s room.”
- Step two: Think something – “I think not washing your hands could result in spreading infection.”
- Step three: Feel something – “I feel concerned that you are putting patients at risk for infection.”
- Step four: Want something – “I want to protect patients and hand washing is one of the simplest ways to keep patients safe.”
- Step five: Do something – “Let’s hold each other accountable for hand washing to keep our patients safe.”
When in-the-moment peer feedback is approached from a benefit mindset where everyday leaders want to do well and be good, patient safety can sky-rocket and feedback is viewed as a valuable tool to help improve our professional practice.
— Janet Leatherwood, CNO
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