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What Does Huddle in TeamSTEPPS Stand For?

Team STEPPS is a system for communication and teamwork designed by United States Department of Health and Human Services. Huddles are a part of the Team STEPPS plan to maximize group effectiveness among health care providers.

  1. Identification

    • A huddle in Team STEPPS is a quick meeting of a health care team to touch base while working on a common project, shift or patient. A huddle is held to expand on any points made at briefings at the start of a work day.

    Function

    • Team members use huddles to share information. It can cover progress to that point or any new issues that may have come up. It is also when the group plans for contingencies, expresses concerns, addresses conflicts or reassigns resources.

    Significance

    • The huddle allows all members a chance to reassess how things are going. It allows the group to be flexible and adapt to events. Huddles must be quick to avoid using time that could be applied to other concerns. Huddles should last less than 30 minutes.

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