Improving Leadership Communication Utilizing Huddle Boards

Abstract

Effective communication is critical within the healthcare industry. The identified problem for this evidnece-based project was a lack of effective leadership communication within a targeted nursing unit. A literature review identified that huddles and visual management were two effective forms of communication that leaders could provide daily. A quality improvement project to implement huddles and a visual management board was completed utilizing a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) format. The PDSA was completed in three, three-week cycles. An internal survey was conducted after each three-week cycle with the purpose of determining what information the staff felt was relevant and useful. The results indicated that by seeking the input of the staff, the relevancy, content and process of the huddle improved the staffs’ perception of the communication and engagement from the leadership team.