What is one of the essential elements of TeamSTEPPS?

Leadership and followership skills are fundamental to the TeamSTEPPS framework as they establish the dynamics necessary for effective teamwork in healthcare settings. Leadership involves guiding and influencing the team's direction, fostering an environment of collaboration, and promoting an atmosphere of open communication. Effective leaders are able to steer team members toward shared goals and ensure that everyone is aligned with the mission of delivering safe and high-quality patient care.

On the other hand, followership skills are equally important because they encompass the ability of team members to support their leaders, communicate effectively, and contribute positively to the team's objectives. A well-functioning team relies on the interplay between strong leadership and active followership, creating a cohesive unit capable of adapting to challenges, addressing issues promptly, and improving overall patient outcomes.

The other options, while relevant in specific contexts, do not capture the core principles of TeamSTEPPS as well as leadership and followership skills. Uniform protocols for emergency procedures may be beneficial but do not address the relational dynamics within a team. Isolation of team members during procedures contradicts the collaborative spirit needed for effective teamwork. Lastly, focusing on individual performance metrics can detract from the collective team effort that is central to the TeamSTEPPS philosophy, which emphasizes collaboration over individualism.