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Background: Concern is growing over increased numbers of adverse events experienced by patients when admitted to acute care hospitals in Canada due to breakdowns in communication. The purpose of the Timely Open Communication for Patient Safety (TOC) project was to create a culture of patient safety through enhanced interprofessional communication by developing resources for caregivers and patients. Methods and Findings: The research was framed by a mixed-methods design that included pre- and post-surveys and focus groups, online educational modules, face-to-face activities, and the development of patient orientation materials. Three clinical sites participated in the study. The findings indicate that supporting healthcare teams to identify strengths, challenges, and future directions of communicating, clarifying roles, functioning, and collaborating, coupled with educational interventions that raise awareness of patient safety, may enhance patient safety. The study was limited by the absence of data regarding the incidence of adverse events during the research period. Conclusion: The data showed improvement in team members' perceptions of interprofessional collaborative practice within the participating Collaborative Learning Units (CLUs). If the CLU model of care is adopted within the healthcare system, the safety of patients/clients may improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative practice is receiving increased attention as a model of healthcare delivery that positively influences the effectiveness and efficiency of patient care while improving the work environment of healthcare providers. The collaborative practice assessment tool (CPAT) was developed from the literature to enable interprofessional teams to assess their collaborative practice. The CPAT survey included 56 items across nine domains including: mission and goals; relationships; leadership; role responsibilities and autonomy; communication; decision-making and conflict management; community linkages and coordination; perceived effectiveness and patient involvement; in addition to three open-ended questions. The tool was developed for use in a variety of settings involving a diversity of healthcare providers with the aim of helping teams to identify professional development needs and corresponding educational interventions. The results of two pilot tests indicated that the CPAT is a valid and reliable tool for assessing levels of collaborative practice within teams. This article describes the development of the tool, the pilot testing and validation process, as well as limitations of the tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]