Implementation of a routine post-shift debriefing program in ICU aiming at quality-of-care improvement: A primary analysis of feasibility and impacts

Objectives: This report describes the implementation of a clinical debriefing (CD) program in intensive care units (ICU) and analyses its feasibility and its impact on staff well-being.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: From April to September 2023, post-shift CDs were run once a week in 2 out of 7 units in our department, using an adapted version of the DISCOVER-PHASE tool. CD sessions were performed face-to-face with volunteer members of the multidisciplinary ICU team.

Main outcome measures: After 6 months, a survey assessing the satisfaction of the debriefed teams was conducted. The impact of CD on staff well-being was assessed using three validated questionnaires (Maslach Burnout Inventory, Ways of Coping Checklist, Professional Quality of Life Scale) administered in the 7 units before and after the CD period.

Results: A total of 44 CDs were performed, lasting 15 (4-35) min. There were 6 (1-9) attendees per CD, mainly nurses (64.6%). Discussions focused mainly on basic problems related to dysfunctional material, communication and organization inside the team. The two debriefed teams were satisfied of the program and gave 9, 8 and 8 out of 10 on a visual analogical scale for the climate of confidence of the DC, their organisation, and their ability to improve working conditions and quality of care, respectively. Subscores at the three questionnaires assessing staff well-being before and after the CD period were similar, whether teams experienced CD or not.

Conclusions: Implementing of post-shift debriefings in our ICU was feasible and well accepted. More prolonged programs are probably needed to demonstrate benefits on staff well-being.

Implications for clinical practice: This report offers elements that other teams can use to successfully conduct post-shift debriefings and to plan future research on longer-term programs.