“Nursing Teamwork and Patient Falls Among Jordanian Nurses: A Correlational Study”

Background The relationship between nursing teamwork and patient falls is a crucial area of study in healthcare, as effective teamwork has been consistently linked to improved patient outcomes and safety. Objective To examine the relationship between nursing teamwork and patient falls in Jordanian hospitals. Methods A descriptive correlational research design was conducted, involving 375 registered nurses from four hospitals representing three health sectors in Jordan. The participants completed the “Nursing Teamwork Survey,” which contains 33 questions divided into five subscales, measured on a five‐point Likert scale. Additionally, there is one question regarding the nurses’ experiences with patient falls in their units, which is measured on a seven‐point Likert scale. The data collection process took place from September to October 2024. Results The total mean nursing teamwork score was 116.36 (SD = 35.2), while the frequency of patient falls mean reported by nurses was 0.54 (SD = 0.67). The shared mental model subscale received the highest score (M = 3.58, SD = 1.0) among all nursing teamwork subscales, while the team orientation subscale received the lowest (M = 3.45, SD = 1.0). A weak negative significant relationship was found between nursing teamwork and patient falls ( r s  = −0.248, p < 0.001). Although the correlation is weak, it suggests that improving nursing teamwork may positively impact patient safety by potentially reducing the incidence of patient falls. Also, weak negative significant correlation was showed between patient falls and the following teamwork subscales: Shared mental model ( r s  = −0.260, p < 0.001), Backup ( r s  = −0.242, p < 0.001), Team leadership ( r s  = −0.267, p < 0.001), Mutual trust ( r s  = −0.223, p < 0.001), and Team orientation ( r s  = −0.223, p < 0.001). Conclusion Enhancing nursing teamwork is vital for improving patient outcomes and ensuring safety within healthcare settings. The moderate level of teamwork identified highlights the need for targeted interventions, such as training programs focused on communication and collaboration, to foster a more cohesive nursing staff. The observed correlation between teamwork and patient falls suggests that a stronger emphasis on teamwork can directly impact patient safety, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment that encourages collaboration. Additionally, the development and implementation of policies that address specific areas of teamwork, along with ongoing assessments of teamwork dynamics, are essential for sustained improvement. By prioritizing these efforts, healthcare organizations can create a culture of safety and teamwork that ultimately benefits both patients and healthcare providers.