Pilot experience of implementing the Daily Huddle methodology in an intensive care unit
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20453/renh.v18i2.7204Keywords:
critical care, shift handoverAbstract
Communication failures during shift handovers in intensive care units (ICUs) are one of the main causes of adverse events. This experience report describes the pilot implementation of the Daily Huddle methodology as a structured strategy to improve information transfer and nursing team coordination. The intervention was carried out in a 20-bed multi-purpose ICU in a tertiary public hospital in Spain. The process included an initial mapping phase, the appointment of leaders, a preparatory phase, and a four-week operational pilot, with an evaluation based on 30 structured observations. The Daily Huddle was carried out in 90% of the sessions, with full participation in 77.8% and an average duration of 16.9 minutes. Interruptions, mainly caused by clinical alarms or care overload, reflected the dynamics of the critical environment without compromising the viability of the model. The experience confirmed that the methodology is feasible, low-cost, and replicable, demonstrating its potential to strengthen structured communication and the culture of safety in critical care. Further evaluation of professionals' perceptions and the long-term impact on clinical outcomes is recommended.
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