Please Cuss!!!



Our patients are at the center of every decision we make. All members of the healthcare team must be willing and able to advocate for their patients’ safety. Advocacy and assertion are crucial tools in the fight to protect patients from harm. All team members are empowered to “STOP THE LINE!” when something is amiss in the care of their patient.

Every team member, [Nurses, physicians, technicians, therapists, medical students, nursing students, aides, pharmacists and other professionals] must be ready to advocate for their patients’ best interests when their viewpoints do not coincide with that of the decision maker. You must make your concerns known at once in a constructive manner. Your concerns should be voiced at least twice to make sure you are heard. Alert your supervisor if your voice is not heard by the team leader or decision maker.

A helpful communication empowerment tool is known as CUSS. In using CUSS one should state clearly:

                        I am CONCERNED

                        I am UNCOMFORTABLE

                        This is a SAFETY Issue
           
                        STOP THE LINE


The concerned team member must also be ready to assert a corrective action in a firm and respectful manner. Using DESC the team member can:

            Describe the situation

            Express how the safety situation makes you feel with regard to the patient

            Suggest alternatives and seek agreement

Consequences should be stated in a patient centered way. How will the patient be affected?

It is everyone’s responsibility to protect patients from harm.

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