Evaluating the huddle as a method of improving staff communication and process efficiency on a psychiatric inpatient ward

Abstract

Background/Aims Variation in healthcare processes is widespread in mental health care and can lead to inefficient processes and unnecessarily long inpatient stays. This study aimed to identify sources of variation and implement a huddle intervention to increase system efficiency on a psychiatric inpatient ward in London. Methods Using a Lean Six Sigma approach, areas for improvement on the authors' ward and processes working well on other wards were identified through process mapping and stakeholder interviews. The huddle intervention was implemented, then evaluated and improved through four Plan Do Study Act cycles based on feedback from staff and green-to-red methodology. Results Inconsistencies in multidisciplinary team communication was identified as the most prominent area of concern and inefficiency. The huddles were found to improve staff communication and increase ward activity. Concerns regarding the huddles' duration and focus on tasks were identified and addressed. Conclusions Huddles are a useful means of improving staff communication and increasing ward efficiency without taking up a significant amount of clinicians' time to care for patients. This could increase ward efficiency and reduce lengths of stay, although further research is required to establish this.