Implementing front-line ownership to improve safety in Labor & Delivery and Postpartum Units

Oak Valley Health, a community healthcare organization located in Ontario, Canada collaborated with the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) on a quality improvement initiative. In March 2022, HIROC introduced a multi-modal approach to support the Childbirth and Children’s Service (CCS) program at Oak Valley Health to better understand teamwork and communication across the program to support patient safety. In partnership with Oak Valley Health, HIROC facilitated focus groups, interviews, and two workshops with the front-line multidisciplinary team members. CCS leaders implemented change ideas to increase teamwork and communication, and also improved culture, psychological safety, and empathy between interdisciplinary and interdepartmental teams across CCS. Examples of these changes included a new Access and Flow Report, CCS Specific Bed Meetings, Education Days, and Joint Charge Nurse Meetings. Since implementing these changes, employee engagement results have been positive. The CCS leaders plan to maintain implemented changes.