ahrq-gov/www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/step.html
2025-02-28 14:14:25 -05:00

1653 lines
68 KiB
HTML
Raw Blame History

This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ og: http://ogp.me/ns# rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# schema: http://schema.org/ sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema# ">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge" />
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="language" content="en-us" />
<meta name="description" content="STEP is a mnemonic tool that can help individuals monitor critical elements of a situation and the overall environment. It is suitable for use by teams supporting acutely ill patients in a hospital (e.g., an ICU patient the team hopes to wean off a ventilator as quickly as possible), for teams in long-term care settings helping residents improve physical mobility, or for teams in other care settings. STEP encourages the monitoring of all key elements required to support patients:" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/step.html" />
<meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" />
<meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" />
<meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no" />
<meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge" />
<link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/favicon-swoosh.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/step.html" />
<script>window.a2a_config=window.a2a_config||{};a2a_config.callbacks=[];a2a_config.overlays=[];a2a_config.templates={};a2a_config.templates.email = {
subject: "Check this out: ${title}",
body: "Click the link:\n${link}"
};
a2a_config.templates.twitter = {
text: "Reading: ${title} ${link}",
related: "AHRQ"
};</script>
<title>Tool: STEP | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_yZ3AELKs4Kkb-aqUv19nC64tFjBrpuvgz19tP3W573U.css?delta=0&amp;language=en&amp;theme=ahrq_bootstrap_barrio&amp;include=eJx1Tm0OwiAMvRCuRyLt6CYRKLZM3e2N20Jipn9e3mdTDKEJlhXwIMOkUprDq97hA76SFp-xuq5gsybR7Gy1xhkIjR2JNGuK1ROqRoE5CWG6WFtTLPO-P5W68Sf_dYRTpSTjzeBb7mngV4TOzm-RMoZRl0zuEflpsOGQJSyJ32zqa94" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.7.1/dist/leaflet.css" integrity="sha512-xodZBNTC5n17Xt2atTPuE1HxjVMSvLVW9ocqUKLsCC5CXdbqCmblAshOMAS6/keqq/sMZMZ19scR4PsZChSR7A==" crossorigin="anonymous" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_oWnP5En7Dr5tUoNuo0tv5pzxM_RKR8ZkqXpOY5cySAA.css?delta=2&amp;language=en&amp;theme=ahrq_bootstrap_barrio&amp;include=eJx1Tm0OwiAMvRCuRyLt6CYRKLZM3e2N20Jipn9e3mdTDKEJlhXwIMOkUprDq97hA76SFp-xuq5gsybR7Gy1xhkIjR2JNGuK1ROqRoE5CWG6WFtTLPO-P5W68Sf_dYRTpSTjzeBb7mngV4TOzm-RMoZRl0zuEflpsOGQJSyJ32zqa94" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_ZdgHOCGzCdDb2Xs5MarQDFTlMz54SeO8DHsjDf6pxJw.css?delta=3&amp;language=en&amp;theme=ahrq_bootstrap_barrio&amp;include=eJx1Tm0OwiAMvRCuRyLt6CYRKLZM3e2N20Jipn9e3mdTDKEJlhXwIMOkUprDq97hA76SFp-xuq5gsybR7Gy1xhkIjR2JNGuK1ROqRoE5CWG6WFtTLPO-P5W68Sf_dYRTpSTjzeBb7mngV4TOzm-RMoZRl0zuEflpsOGQJSyJ32zqa94" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/sites/default/files/css/css__lS5H8nnEzosBBN-2wNdDQ3qQXubJI3Ya74Xi8Gfqn4.css?delta=4&amp;language=en&amp;theme=ahrq_bootstrap_barrio&amp;include=eJx1Tm0OwiAMvRCuRyLt6CYRKLZM3e2N20Jipn9e3mdTDKEJlhXwIMOkUprDq97hA76SFp-xuq5gsybR7Gy1xhkIjR2JNGuK1ROqRoE5CWG6WFtTLPO-P5W68Sf_dYRTpSTjzeBb7mngV4TOzm-RMoZRl0zuEflpsOGQJSyJ32zqa94" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_OLIGJ4OCeQU6InxBMVIyq_ii5UXRRAhbyi0EusFam0I.css?delta=5&amp;language=en&amp;theme=ahrq_bootstrap_barrio&amp;include=eJx1Tm0OwiAMvRCuRyLt6CYRKLZM3e2N20Jipn9e3mdTDKEJlhXwIMOkUprDq97hA76SFp-xuq5gsybR7Gy1xhkIjR2JNGuK1ROqRoE5CWG6WFtTLPO-P5W68Sf_dYRTpSTjzeBb7mngV4TOzm-RMoZRl0zuEflpsOGQJSyJ32zqa94" />
<!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=GTM-W4NX5V"></script>
<script>
window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
function gtag(){window.dataLayer.push(arguments);}
gtag('js', new Date());
gtag('config', 'GTM-W4NX5V');
</script>
<!-- End Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->
<script src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=HHS&subagency=AHRQ" type="text/javascript" id="_fed_an_ua_tag"></script>
</head>
<body class="layout-one-sidebar layout-sidebar-first page-node-240420 path-node node--type-page">
<!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<noscript>
<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-W4NX5V" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe>
</noscript>
<!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
<a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable skip-link">
Skip to main content
</a>
<div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
<div id="page-mask"></div>
<div class="usa-banner usa-banner-bg">
<div class="usa-accordion usa-accordion-text-color">
<header class="usa-banner__header">
<div class="row no-gutters row-mobile-offset">
<div class="col-lg-auto offset-lg-1 img-icon">
<img class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/us_flag_small.png" alt="U.S. flag">
</div>
<div class="col-lg-auto banner-hhs img-icon">
<img class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/logo-HHSmini.png" alt="HHS">
</div>
<div class="col-lg-8 txt-gov-banner">
<p class="usa-banner__header-text"><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">An official website of the Department of Health and Human Services</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</header>
</div>
</div>
<div role="main" class="container-fluid js-quickedit-main-content">
<div class="row">
<header id="header" class="header row-side-margins mobile-row-side-margins" >
<div class="col-md-12">
<div id="utility-nav">
<ul class="clearfix">
<li class="first">
<a href="/cpi/about/careers/index.html">Careers</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/contact/index.html">Contact Us</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/es/informacion-en-espanol/index.html">Español</a>
</li>
<li class="last">
<a href="https://info.ahrq.gov/">FAQs</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="row clear-row">
<div class="col-md-12 row-bottom-margin mm-nav-bottom-border-mobile">
<div class="logo-ahrq">
<a href="/"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/logo-ahrq.png" alt="AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality "/></a>
</div>
<div class="search">
<div class="search-label search-label-pad">Search all AHRQ sites</div>
<form name="searchForm-banner_searchform" id="banner_searchform" method="get" action="https://search.ahrq.gov/search" class="usa-search usa-search--small">
<div role="search" id="header-search" class="search-label">
<label class="usa-sr-only" for="extended-search-field-small">Search small</label>
<input class="usa-input" id="extended-search-field-small" type="search" name="q" value="" size="11" onfocus="this.value = '';" autocomplete="off">
<button class="usa-button" type="submit"><span class="usa-sr-only">Search</span></button>
</div>
</form>
</div>
<div id="mm-mob">
<div class="mm-mob-icon-bgc">
<img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/bars-solid.png" alt="Main Navigation Menu"
width="25px" height="25px" class="logo-white"
data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#megamenu-container">
<p>Menu</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<div class="col-12 collapse width" id="megamenu-container">
<div class="row mm-nav-bottom-border">
<div id="megamenu-nav" class="col-sm-12 col-md-12 col-lg-12 col-xl-12 primary-menu-bg">
<div class="row row-side-margins">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<div class="row nav-close">
<button class="btn-close" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#megamenu-container" aria-label="Close Button"></button>
</div>
<nav role="navigation" aria-label="main_nav" id="block-system-menu-block-main" class="block block-menu navigation menu--main">
<h2 class="sr-only" id="block-system-menu-block-main-menu">Main navigation</h2>
<ul id="main_nav" id="block-system-menu-block-main" block="block-system-menu-block-main" class="clearfix nav navbar-nav d-flex flex-nowrap">
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed" rel="1">
<a href="/topics/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="topics/index.html">Topics</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item" rel="2">
<a href="/programs/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="programs/index.html">Programs</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed" rel="3">
<a href="/research/index.html" title="" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/183838">Research</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed" rel="4">
<a href="/data/index.html" title="" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/226309">Data &amp; Analytics</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item" rel="5">
<a href="/tools/index.html" title="" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="tools/index.html">Tools</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed" rel="6">
<a href="/funding/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/183923">Funding &amp; Grants</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed" rel="7">
<a href="/news/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/183915">News</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed" rel="8">
<a href="/cpi/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/183934">About</a>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-sm-12 col-md-12 col-lg-12 col-xl-12">
<div class="row clearfix megamenu-pulldowns">
<div rel="1" class="row clearfix pulldown pulldown1">
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown1-col1">
<div class="hide-on-desktop block block-block-content block-block-contenta35615a7-c539-4185-9016-92b9536228e0" id="block-block-content-a35615a7-c539-4185-9016-92b9536228e0">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/topics/index.html">Browse Topics</a></h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="views-element-container hide-on-mobile block block-views block-views-blocktopics-a-z-block-1" id="block-views-block-topics-a-z-block-1">
<div class="content">
<div><div class="view view-topics-a-z view-id-topics_a_z view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-e27b560c4357e5ead3e51db9bcdf06c3c711cc2d67b2506789ec109a3eef829e">
<div class="view-header">
<h2><a href="/topics/index.html">Topics A-Z</a></h2>
</div>
<div class="view-content row">
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/A.html">A</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/B.html">B</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/C.html">C</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/D.html">D</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/E.html">E</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/F.html">F</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="view-content row">
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/G.html">G</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/H.html">H</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/I.html">I</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/J.html">J</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/K.html">K</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/L.html">L</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="view-content row">
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/M.html">M</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/N.html">N</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/O.html">O</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/P.html">P</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/Q.html">Q</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/R.html">R</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="view-content row">
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/S.html">S</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/T.html">T</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/U.html">U</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/V.html">V</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/W.html">W</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/X.html">X</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="view-content row">
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/Y.html">Y</a>
</div>
<div class="myClass">
<a href="/topics/Z.html">Z</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown1-col2">
<div id="block-block-content-fa8abcd1-c445-4ff2-ab1d-7d0d1bcc642e" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentfa8abcd1-c445-4ff2-ab1d-7d0d1bcc642e">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/priority-populations/index.html">Priority Populations</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/topics/childrenadolescents.html">Children/Adolescents</a></li>
<li><a href="/topics/elderly.html">Elderly</a></li>
<li><a href="/topics/low-income.html">Low-Income</a></li>
<li><a href="/topics/racial-ethnic-minorities.html">Racial/Ethnic Minorities</a></li>
<li><a href="/topics/ruralinner-city-residents.html">Rural/Inner-City Residents</a></li>
<li><a href="/topics/individuals-special-healthcare-needs.html">Special Healthcare Needs</a></li>
<li><a href="/topics/women.html">Women</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
</div>
</div>
<div rel="2" class="row pulldown pulldown2">
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown2-col1">
<div id="block-block-content-6dc266dc-87f6-4686-abe1-642d8263b303" class="block block-block-content block-block-content6dc266dc-87f6-4686-abe1-642d8263b303">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/programs/index.html">Programs</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/programs/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_program_topics=14171">Featured</a></li>
<li><a href="/programs/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_program_topics=14172">Clinicians &amp; Providers</a></li>
<li><a href="/programs/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_program_topics=14208">Data &amp; Measures</a></li>
<li><a href="/programs/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_program_topics=14176">Digital Healthcare Research</a></li>
<li><a href="/programs/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_program_topics=14173">Education &amp; Training</a></li>
<li><a href="/programs/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_program_topics=14174">Hospitals &amp; Health Systems</a></li>
<li><a href="/programs/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_program_topics=14175">Prevention &amp; Chronic Care</a></li>
<li><a href="/programs/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_program_topics=14177">Quality &amp; Patient Safety</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
</div>
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
</div>
</div>
<div rel="3" class="row pulldown pulldown3">
<div class="subnav-3-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown3-col1">
<div class="hide-on-desktop block block-block-content block-block-content2b7f892f-7a9d-4597-bb3a-d62c3cf36400" id="block-block-content-2b7f892f-7a9d-4597-bb3a-d62c3cf36400">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/research/index.html">Research</a></h2></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-d458ffc7-e058-41df-b250-7919a4b28272" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentd458ffc7-e058-41df-b250-7919a4b28272">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/research/publications/index.html">Publications &amp; Products</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/research/publications/pubcomguide/index.html">AHRQ Publishing and Communications Guidelines</a></li>
<li><a title href="/research/publications/search.html">Search Publications</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-3-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown3-col2">
<div id="block-block-content-30584e80-4a0d-4bcd-99b4-83e2b933efd0" class="block block-block-content block-block-content30584e80-4a0d-4bcd-99b4-83e2b933efd0">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/research/findings/index.html">Research Findings &amp; Reports</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/research/findings/evidence-based-reports/index.html">Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) Reports</a></li>
<li><a href="/research/findings/factsheets/index.html">Fact Sheets</a></li>
<li><a href="/research/findings/final-reports/index.html">Grantee Final Reports: Patient Safety</a></li>
<li><a href="/research/findings/making-healthcare-safer/index.html">Making Healthcare Safer Report</a></li>
<li><a href="/research/findings/nhqrdr/index.html">National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports</a></li>
<li><a href="/research/findings/ta/index.html">Technology Assessment Program</a></li>
<li><a href="/research/findings/studies/index.html">AHRQ Research Studies</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-3-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown3-col3">
<div class="mm-feature-block hide-on-mobile block block-block-content block-block-contentc99eca29-43d2-4375-9925-036196a0a845" id="block-block-content-c99eca29-43d2-4375-9925-036196a0a845">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="//www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/index.html">National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report</a></h2>
<ul>
</ul>
<p>Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care</p></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div rel="4" class="row pulldown pulldown4">
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown4-col1">
<div id="block-block-content-b1b50cdd-03eb-411f-baba-42001d8458b2" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentb1b50cdd-03eb-411f-baba-42001d8458b2">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/data/index.html">Data &amp; Analytics</a></h2><ul><li><a href="/data/infographics/index.html">Data Infographics</a></li><li><a href="/data/data-visualization/index.html">Data Visualizations</a></li><li><a href="/data/data-tools/index.html">Data Tools</a></li><li><a href="/data/innovations.html">Data Innovations</a></li><li><a href="/data/apcd/index.html">All-Payer Claims Database</a></li><li><a href="/data/cahps.html">Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Program</a></li><li><a href="/data/hcup/index.html">Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)</a></li><li><a href="/data/meps.html">Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)</a></li><li><a href="/data/nhqdr.html">National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report Data Tools</a></li><li><a href="/data/qualityindicators/index.html">AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics</a></li><li><a href="/data/ushik.html">United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)</a></li><li><a href="/data/resources/index.html">Data Sources Available from AHRQ</a></li></ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
</div>
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
</div>
</div>
<div rel="5" class="row pulldown pulldown5">
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown5-col1">
<div id="block-block-content-8828d1e5-f1c3-4906-846e-bb499c2fe759" class="block block-block-content block-block-content8828d1e5-f1c3-4906-846e-bb499c2fe759">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/tools/index.html">Tools</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/tools/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_toolkit_topics=14166&amp;sort_by=title&amp;sort_order=ASC">Featured</a></li>
<li><a href="/tools/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_toolkit_topics=14167&amp;sort_by=title&amp;sort_order=ASC">Clinicians &amp; Providers</a></li>
<li><a href="/tools/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_toolkit_topics=14168&amp;sort_by=title&amp;sort_order=ASC">Hospitals &amp; Health Systems</a></li>
<li><a href="/tools/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_toolkit_topics=14169&amp;sort_by=title&amp;sort_order=ASC">Prevention &amp; Chronic Care</a></li>
<li><a href="/tools/index.html?search_api_views_fulltext=&amp;field_toolkit_topics=14170&amp;sort_by=title&amp;sort_order=ASC">Quality &amp; Patient Safety</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
</div>
<div class="subnav-1-cols">
</div>
</div>
<div rel="6" class="row pulldown pulldown6">
<div class="subnav-3-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown6-col1">
<div class="hide-on-desktop block block-block-content block-block-content2731dbb7-4315-4948-9449-82781dbeb436" id="block-block-content-2731dbb7-4315-4948-9449-82781dbeb436">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/index.html">Funding &amp;&nbsp;Grants</a></h2></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-471dc7bd-6a9d-496e-9b89-cfd9197515d8" class="block block-block-content block-block-content471dc7bd-6a9d-496e-9b89-cfd9197515d8">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/fund-opps/index.html">Notice of Funding Opportunities</a></h2>
<ul>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-b7e3a10c-86b3-4e14-b7f3-2465e172ab6a" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentb7e3a10c-86b3-4e14-b7f3-2465e172ab6a">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/policies/index.html">Research Policies</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/funding/policies/nofoguidance/index.html">Notice of Funding Opportunity Guidance</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/policies/polnotice/index.html">AHRQ Grants Policy Notices</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/policies/informedconsent/index.html">AHRQ Informed Consent &amp; Authorization Toolkit for Minimal Risk Research</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/policies/hhspolicy/index.html">HHS Grants Policy Statement</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/policies/polfedreg/index.html">Federal Regulations &amp; Authorities</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/policies/polfrnot/index.html">Federal Register Notices</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/policies/publicaccess/policy.html">AHRQ Public Access Policy</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/policies/human-subjects/index.html">Protection of Human Subjects</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-af0ce3fd-cb53-4a1c-b083-ad026d437df7" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentaf0ce3fd-cb53-4a1c-b083-ad026d437df7">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/priorities-contacts/index.html">Funding Priorities</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/funding/priorities-contacts/special-emphasis-notices/index.html">Special Emphasis Notices</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/priorities-contacts/contacts/index.html">Staff Contacts</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-4942872c-540e-4c44-9202-05e682819031" class="block block-block-content block-block-content4942872c-540e-4c44-9202-05e682819031">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/training-grants/index.html">Training &amp; Education Funding</a></h2>
<ul></ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-3-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown6-col2">
<div id="block-block-content-c1f2e4ef-aa92-412d-aed6-f3994d724b14" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentc1f2e4ef-aa92-412d-aed6-f3994d724b14">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/process/index.html">Grant Application, Review &amp; Award Process</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/funding/process/grant-app-basics/index.html">Grant Application Basics</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/process/app-forms/index.html">Application Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/process/dates/index.html">Application Deadlines &amp; Important Dates</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/process/grant-app-basics/apptips.html">AHRQ Tips for Grant Applicants</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/process/mechanisms/index.html">Grant Mechanisms &amp; Descriptions</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/process/review/index.html">Application Receipt &amp; Review</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/process/study-section/index.html">Study Sections for Scientific Peer Review</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/process/award-process/index.html">Award Process</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-4297c00e-2716-404f-90d3-bb5c92cf3ecb" class="block block-block-content block-block-content4297c00e-2716-404f-90d3-bb5c92cf3ecb">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/grant-mgmt/index.html">Post-Award Grant Management</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/funding/grantee-profiles/index.html">AHRQ Grantee Profiles</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/grant-mgmt/recognition_ahrq-funded_study.html">Getting Recognition for Your AHRQ-Funded Study</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/grant-mgmt/grants-by-state.html">Grants by State</a></li>
<li><a href="/funding/grant-mgmt/nces.html">No-Cost Extensions (NCEs)</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-714d976a-68d9-477f-89ff-4e1aaf726e9b" class="block block-block-content block-block-content714d976a-68d9-477f-89ff-4e1aaf726e9b">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/contracts/index.html">Contracts</a></h2>
<ul></ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-3-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown6-col3">
<div class="mm-feature-block hide-on-mobile block block-block-content block-block-content2c2c02c4-73b7-406f-87ad-d4955489b2fd" id="block-block-content-2c2c02c4-73b7-406f-87ad-d4955489b2fd">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/funding/grant-mgmt/grants-by-state.html">AHRQ Grants by State</a></h2>
<ul>
</ul>
<p>Searchable database of AHRQ Grants</p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="mm-feature-block hide-on-mobile block block-block-content block-block-contentc6610af5-d53e-4c4c-8541-cbf02cc0fa2a" id="block-block-content-c6610af5-d53e-4c4c-8541-cbf02cc0fa2a">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/pcor/index.html">PCOR</a></h2>
<ul>
</ul>
<p>AHRQ Projects funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund.</p></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div rel="7" class="row pulldown pulldown7">
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown7-col1">
<div class="hide-on-desktop block block-block-content block-block-contentdf85c7fb-faa9-4161-a755-fc6b625659a3" id="block-block-content-df85c7fb-faa9-4161-a755-fc6b625659a3">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/news/index.html">News</a></h2></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-cd0e99d7-d91f-4082-9d40-d26841f8eced" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentcd0e99d7-d91f-4082-9d40-d26841f8eced">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/news/newsroom/index.html">Newsroom</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/news/newsroom/press-releases/index.html">Press Releases</a></li>
<li><a href="/news/newsroom/social-media/index.html">AHRQ Social Media</a></li>
<li><a href="/news/newsroom/ahrq-stats.html">AHRQ Stats</a></li>
<li><a href="/news/newsroom/case-studies/index.html">Impact Case Studies</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-29ebae8e-fab3-4f1f-9914-0bf71b470362" class="block block-block-content block-block-content29ebae8e-fab3-4f1f-9914-0bf71b470362">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/news/blog/index.html">Blog</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/news/blog/ahrqviews/index.html">AHRQ Views</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown7-col2">
<div id="block-block-content-e9e60174-3d60-49da-92d4-3211a6a9ad70" class="block block-block-content block-block-contente9e60174-3d60-49da-92d4-3211a6a9ad70">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/news/newsletters/index.html">Newsletter</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/news/newsletters/e-newsletter/index.html">AHRQ News Now</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-2c346bcd-720f-42fd-bac4-6a8d99c465e9" class="block block-block-content block-block-content2c346bcd-720f-42fd-bac4-6a8d99c465e9">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/news/events/index.html">Events</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/news/events/ahrq-research-summit-diagnostic-safety.html">AHRQ Research Summit on Diagnostic Safety</a></li>
<li><a href="/news/events/ahrq-research-summit-learning-health-system.html">AHRQ Research Summit on Learning Health Systems</a></li>
<li><a href="/news/events/nac/index.html">National Advisory Council Meetings</a></li>
<li><a href="/news/events/conference/index.html">AHRQ Research Conferences</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
</div>
</div>
<div rel="8" class="row pulldown pulldown8">
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown8-col1">
<div class="hide-on-desktop block block-block-content block-block-contentd829a035-55e4-4ec0-b50d-6007e7da6e21" id="block-block-content-d829a035-55e4-4ec0-b50d-6007e7da6e21">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/cpi/index.html">About</a></h2></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-block-content-7b86e149-d9ec-4cc0-a9bc-aeef3b7ccfad" class="block block-block-content block-block-content7b86e149-d9ec-4cc0-a9bc-aeef3b7ccfad">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/cpi/about/index.html">About AHRQ</a></h2><ul><li><a href="/cpi/about/do-you-know-ahrq-quiz.html">How Well Do You Know AHRQ? Quizzes</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/about/profile/index.html">Profile</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/about/mission/index.html">Mission and Budget</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/corecompetencies/index.html">AHRQ's Core Competencies</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/about/nac.html">National Advisory Council</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/about/careers/index.html">Careers at AHRQ</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/about/directions/index.html">Maps and Directions</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/about/otherwebsites/Index.html">Other AHRQ Web Sites</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/about/hhs-agencies/index.html">Other HHS Agencies</a></li><li><a href="/cpi/about/20timeline/testimonials.html">Testimonials</a></li></ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
<div class="col-md-12" role="navigation">
<section class="row region region-megamenu-pulldown8-col2">
<div id="block-block-content-a018d8d6-07b1-45b3-8f96-1a25784e6dea" class="block block-block-content block-block-contenta018d8d6-07b1-45b3-8f96-1a25784e6dea">
<div class="content">
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2><a href="/cpi/about/organization/index.html">Organization &amp; Contacts</a></h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/cpi/centers/index.html">Centers and Offices</a></li>
<li><a href="/cpi/about/organization/orgchart/organizational-chart.html">Organization Chart</a></li>
<li><a href="/cpi/about/organization/contacts/key-contacts.html">Key Contacts</a></li>
</ul></div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-2-cols">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-12 col-sm-12 utility-mobile">
<ul class="clearfix">
<li class="first">
<a href="/cpi/about/careers/index.html">Careers</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/contact/index.html">Contact Us</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/informacion-en-espanol/index.html">Español</a>
</li>
<li class="last">
<a href="https://info.ahrq.gov/">FAQs</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="breadcrumbs">
<div class="row row-side-margins">
<div class="col-12 .chrome">
<div id="block-system-breadcrumb-block" class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block">
<div class="content">
<nav role="navigation" aria-label="breadcrumb">
<ol class="breadcrumb">
<li class="breadcrumb-item">
<a href="/">Home</a>
</li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/index.html">TeamSTEPPS Program</a>
</li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/index.html">Curriculum Materials</a>
</li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/index.html">Module 3: Situation Monitoring</a>
</li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/index.html">Section 2: Explanation of Key Concepts and Tools</a>
</li>
<li class="breadcrumb-item active">
Tool: STEP
</li>
</ol>
</nav>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="topics-az" class="col-12">
<div class="row row-side-margins">
<div class="col-12">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="main-content-wrapper">
<section class="main-content col row-side-margins" id="content" role="main">
<div id="content_top" class="row">
<div class="col-12">
<div class="language-switcher-language-url block block-language block-language-blocklanguage-interface" role="navigation">
<div class="text-right">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container-fluid site-wrap">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12 text-right addthis_toolbox">
<div class="addtoany-toolbox">
<h2 class="addtoany-header">SHARE:</h2>
<div class="block block-addtoany block-addtoany-block">
<div class="content">
<span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_16 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/step.html" data-a2a-title="Tool: STEP"><a class="a2a_button_facebook"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/share_icons/facebook-tiny.png" border="0" alt="Facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/share_icons/x-tiny.png" border="0" alt="X"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/share_icons/envelope-tiny.png" border="0" alt="Email AHRQ"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/share_icons/print-tiny.png" border="0" alt="Print"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ahrq.gov%2Fteamstepps-program%2Fcurriculum%2Fsituation%2Ftools%2Fstep.html&amp;title=Tool%3A%20STEP"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/share_icons/plus-tiny.png" alt="Share"></a></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="page-top"></div>
<section class="row region region-page-top">
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
</section>
</div>
<div class="row side">
<button class="btn sbf-btn hidden visible-xs" type="button" data-toggle="collapse"
data-target=".navbar-collapse" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseExample">
More topics in this section
</button>
<div class="col-sm-3 sbf-col collapse dont-collapse-sm navbar-collapse">
<div class="block-sidebar-first block block-menu-block-forked block-menu-block-forkedteamstepps-program" id="block-menu-block-forked-teamstepps-program">
<span class="sbf-main"><a href="/teamstepps-program/index.html">TeamSTEPPS Program</a></span>
<ul class="clearfix nav navbar-nav collapse dont-collapse-sm navbar-collapse">
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-one">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/updated/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240128">TeamSTEPPS Updates</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-one">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/welcome-guides/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240129">Welcome Guides</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--expanded active dropdown sbf-level-one">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/index.html" class="nav-link active" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240152">Curriculum Materials</a>
<ul class="dropdown-menu menu-level-two">
<li class="dropdown-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-two">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/intro/index.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240123">Introduction to Curriculum</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-two">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/communication/index.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240147">Module 1: Communication</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-two">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/team/index.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240148">Module 2: Team Leadership</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item menu-item--expanded active dropdown sbf-level-two">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/index.html" class="active" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240149">Module 3: Situation Monitoring</a>
<ul class="dropdown-menu menu-level-three">
<li class="dropdown-item sbf-level-three">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/overview/index.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240322">Section 1: Overview of Key Concepts and Tools</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item menu-item--expanded active dropdown sbf-level-three">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/index.html" class="active" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240323">Section 2: Explanation of Key Concepts and Tools</a>
<ul class="dropdown-menu menu-level-four">
<li class="dropdown-item active sbf-level-four">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/step.html" class="active is-active" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240420" aria-current="page">Tool: STEP</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item sbf-level-four">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/safe.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240421">Tool: I&#039;M SAFE Checklist</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item sbf-level-four">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/monitoring.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240422">Tool: Cross-Monitoring</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item sbf-level-four">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/star.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240423">Tool: STAR</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item sbf-level-four">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/whats.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240424">Tool: The Five &quot;Whats&quot;</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-three">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/teach/index.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240324">Section 3: Teaching the Key Concepts and Tools</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-two">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/mutual/index.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240150">Module 4: Mutual Support</a>
</li>
<li class="dropdown-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-two">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/implement/index.html" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240153">Implementation of TeamSTEPPS 3.0</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="nav-item sbf-level-one">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/diagnosis-improvement/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240125">Diagnosis Improvement Course</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-one">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/resources/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240127">Tools and Resources</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item menu-item--collapsed sbf-level-one">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/training/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/242063">TeamSTEPPS Training</a>
</li>
<li class="nav-item sbf-level-one">
<a href="/teamstepps-program/evidence-base/index.html" class="nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/240126">Research/Evidence Base</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subnav-2-cols col-sm-8 col-md-9">
<div id="main-content"></div>
<article about="/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/step.html" typeof="schema:WebPage" class="node node--type-page node--view-mode-full clearfix">
<div class="node__content clearfix">
<div class="main-content-no-sb2">
<h1 class="node__title">
<span property="schema:name" class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Tool: STEP</span>
</h1>
<div class="pager-wrap">
</div>
<div property="schema:text" class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>STEP is a mnemonic tool that can help individuals monitor critical elements of a situation and the overall environment. It is suitable for use by teams supporting acutely ill patients in a hospital (e.g., an ICU patient the team hopes to wean off a ventilator as quickly as possible), for teams in long-term care settings helping residents improve physical mobility, or for teams in other care settings.</p>
<p>STEP encourages the monitoring of all key elements required to support patients:</p>
<p><img alt="Status of Patient, Team Members, Environment, and Progress Toward Goal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b5c52750-76dc-4853-b1b3-beff093f1757" height="223" src="/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/teamstepps-program/curriculum/ts-step-tool.png" width="282" loading="lazy"></p>
<p>Recognizing which situational elements can provide clues about impending complications or contingencies is critical for patient safety. STEP provides a framework for tracking critical elements of a situation or environment.</p>
<p>In an acute healthcare setting, the patients status requires constant monitoring. Any changes in the patients vital signs may require changes in the teams actions and an urgent response. When assessing acute care<strong> patient status</strong>, consider the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Patient history</li>
<li>Vital signs</li>
<li>Medications</li>
<li>Physical exam</li>
<li>Care plan</li>
<li>Psychosocial condition (e.g., patient's stress level, confusion, loneliness)</li>
<li>Whether the patient has limited English proficiency</li>
</ul>
<p>In nonacute settings, patient status should be monitored regularly as well. Changes in functional status, eating and weight, cognitive status, and mood all are important for the team supporting the patient (or resident) to promptly notice and address.</p>
<p>STEP encourages awareness of the status of other <strong>team members</strong> on dimensions including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Fatigue level.</li>
<li>Workload.</li>
<li>Task performance.</li>
<li>Skill level.</li>
<li>Stress level.</li>
</ul>
<p>Healthcare providers are just as prone to human error as the general population. Teams that recognize and maintain awareness of their individual team members functioning are more likely to provide constructive feedback, have a shared understanding of the situation, and lend support or assistance when needed.</p>
<p>The environment directly affects the quality of care delivered. The environment can change quickly and dramatically.</p>
<p>When it does, teams must be able to rapidly adapt. When assessing the <strong>environment</strong>, consider relevant factors such as:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Facility information, including occupancy levels.</li>
<li>Administrative information and available staff.</li>
<li>Human resources.</li>
<li>Triage acuity.</li>
<li>Community or facility disease outbreaks.</li>
<li>Equipment status.</li>
</ul>
<p>By monitoring progress toward the teams established goals, team members can alert the team when the care plan needs to be revised or when additional resources are needed. When assessing <strong>progress</strong>, team members need to consider the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Status of the teams patients</li>
<li>Goal of the team for the patient</li>
<li>Tasks/actions completed or that need to be completed&nbsp;</li>
<li>Continued appropriateness of the patients care plan</li>
</ul>
<p>Goals are established and agreed on at a team briefing. If something has changed, a huddle or followup briefing should be held to discuss how the plan needs to be modified.</p>
<p>Family caregivers can play a key role in this process. As they interact with the patient daily, they are often the first to observe environmental or behavioral changes. Making sure that family caregivers know what changes are of particular importance and whom to contact if a change occurs is key to ensuring that risks are quickly identified so they can be better managed.</p>
<p>The TeamSTEPPS curriculum now includes a video-based simulation training to illustrate the role STEP can play in fostering a shared mental model for a team that includes the patient. This training is available at:&nbsp;<a href="/teamstepps-program/resources/videos/module-3.html">Module 3 Training Simulation Video (Full)</a>.</p>
<h2>Applications of STEP</h2>
<p>Here is an example of STEP drawn from an acute care hospital setting.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Status: </strong>The respiratory therapist notes that a ventilated patient is showing a marked increase in respiratory rate, which might indicate an increased level of pain that cannot be communicated.</li>
<li><strong>Team members: </strong>The patients nurse is busy helping another patient.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Environment:</strong> It is a shift change, and everyone is busy, so the respiratory therapist checks the medication record and notes that the patient is overdue for his morphine.</li>
<li><strong>Progress: </strong>The respiratory therapist notifies the oncoming nurse of their concern.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>Here is an example of STEP in a primary care clinic:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Status: </strong>A primary care physician observes that an 83-year-old patient has lost weight and appears weaker than at their prior appointment.</li>
<li><strong>Team members:</strong> Their spouse, who typically is with the patient and provides updates on the patient's status, is not present.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Environment:</strong> It is January, there is a local influenza outbreak, and outdoor conditions are treacherous.</li>
<li><strong>Progress: </strong>The physician asks the patient about their spouse's health to understand whether changes in the spouse's condition are contributing to the observed weight loss and frailty in the patient.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<div class="youtube-responsive-container"><iframe allowfullscreen alt="YouTube embedded video: TeamSTEPPS: STEP for Inpatient Medical Teams" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KbJs9b9Pii8" title="YouTube embedded video: TeamSTEPPS: STEP for Inpatient Medical Teams" width="560">YouTube embedded video: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KbJs9b9Pii8</iframe></div>
<p><strong>TeamSTEPPS: STEP for Inpatient Medical Teams (38 seconds)</strong></p>
<p>This video scenario also illustrates the use of STEP. After watching the video, think about how you would answer each of the questions below.</p>
<ul>
<li>How did the scenario illustrate the components of STEP?</li>
<li>Even though the patients vital signs were normal, were there reasons for concern?</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="pager-wrap">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12 col-sm-12 text-right">
<section class="row region region-citation">
<div id="block-citation" class="block block-ahrq block-citation">
<div class="content">
<div id="created-reviewed-citation" class="pad-bottom-sections">
<div id="page-reviewed" class="body-copy-italic">Page last reviewed June 2023 </div>
<div id="page-created" class="body-copy-italic">Page originally created June 2023</div>
</div>
<div id="citation">
<div class="twocolordiv">
<div class="twocolordiv-content">
<p>
<span class="citation-hdr">Internet Citation:</span> Tool: STEP. Content last reviewed June 2023. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.<br>
<span class="citation-url">https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/situation/tools/step.html</span>
</p></div>
<div class="twocolordiv-image">
<img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/copy-regular.png" title="Click to Copy Citation" alt="Click to copy citation" class="logo-white text-right" width="25" height="25">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="pad-bottom-sections">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</div>
<div class="row row-side-margins">
<div class="col-sm-12">
<div id="top-button-container">
<a href="#" id="top-button">Back to Top
<img alt="Go back to top"
height="25"
src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/chevron-circle-up-solid.png"
width="25">
</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<footer>
<div id="footer1">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12 side-row-margins">
<div class="f1-div-width div-float init-pad">
<h3>Connect With Us</h3>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ahrq.gov" target="_blank"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/facebook-f-brands.png" height="35" alt="Facebook"></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/ahrqnews" target="_blank"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/x-logo-white.png" class="img-spacing" width="" height="35" alt="X"></a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/AHRQHealthTV" target="_blank"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/youtube-brands.png" class="img-spacing" width="" height="35" alt="You Tube"></a>
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/agency-for-healthcare-research-and-quality" target="_blank"><img src="/themes/custom/ahrq_bootstrap_barrio/pattern-lab/source/images/theme_core/linkedin-in-brands.png" class="img-spacing" width="" height="35" alt="LinkedIn"></a>
</div>
<div class="f1-div-width div-float">
<h3 class="header-mobile-top-spacing">Sign up for Email Updates</h3>
<p class="primary-small">
To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber<br/>preferences, please enter your email address below.
</p>
<form id="GD-snippet-form"
action="https://subscriptions.ahrq.gov/accounts/USAHRQ/subscribers/qualify"
accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post"> <input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;"/>
<input type="hidden" name="authenticity_token"
value="y9/sIPG+wf/QL20R4sTfazeOp4MyAOwD9ZszmZKWH0PZjGUt2JIEhyyE6dPCNgLP+WZWUcH1NjJVivzbrc8wmg=="/>
<div role="search">
<label class="usa-sr-only" for="email">Search</label>
<input class="usa-input email-input" id="email" type="text" name="email" />
<input class="usa-button email-update-button" type="submit" name="commit" value="Sign Up" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
<div class="f1-div-width div-float">
<address>
<h3 class="header-mobile-top-spacing">Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality</h3>
<p class="primary-regular">5600 Fishers Lane<br/>
Rockville, MD 20857<br/>
Telephone: (301) 427-1364<p>
</address>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="footer2">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12 row-side-margins">
<div class="left-div div-width-partial left-margin">
<ul class="clearfix">
<li class="first">
<a href="/cpi/about/careers/index.html">Careers</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/contact/index.html">Contact Us</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/informacion-en-espanol/index.html">Español</a>
</li>
<li class="last">
<a href="https://info.ahrq.gov/">FAQs</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="left-div div-width-partial">
<ul class="clearfix">
<li class="first">
<a href="/policy/electronic/accessibility/index.html" >Accessibility</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/policy/electronic/disclaimers/index.html" >Disclaimers</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/policy/eeo/index.html" >EEO</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/policy/electronic/about/policyix.html" >Electronic Policies</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="left-div div-width-partial">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/policy/foia/index.html" >FOIA</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/web/governance/digital-strategy/index.html" >HHS Digital Strategy</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/nondiscrimination/index.html" >HHS Nondiscrimination Notice</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://oig.hhs.gov" >Inspector General</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="left-div div-width-partial">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/policy/electronic/plain-writing/index.html" >Plain Writing Act</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/policy/electronic/privacy/index.html" >Privacy Policy</a>
</li>
<li class="last">
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/plugins.html" >Viewers &amp; Players</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="left-div div-width-full footer-border">
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/">U.S. Department of Health & Human Services</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/">The White House</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/240420","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"4c46c76d01a682ffd0446414a952d1d6b37013018e1034f113c842e08f757852"}}</script>
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_CK8g7adNejp2YsH3Nak-7bEtq5JYMhKOvxpgWZcXIAI.js?scope=footer&amp;delta=0&amp;language=en&amp;theme=ahrq_bootstrap_barrio&amp;include=eJx1TNsOQDAM_SH0k5bWhkWt0_WBvxeXSAQvJ-eO3ptgWgEv0nQqySocdIYdXCZNbsJckYgVU8yOUDUK9CyEXBdbOab-mLhX6TZ-8q-TwJlY2rHAU56pD0uEm20Ra0zN"></script>
<script src="https://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" defer></script>
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_EeLpZz_plspoLoa43KdR0QusMFSZBBrQbYwVkODsFq8.js?scope=footer&amp;delta=2&amp;language=en&amp;theme=ahrq_bootstrap_barrio&amp;include=eJx1TNsOQDAM_SH0k5bWhkWt0_WBvxeXSAQvJ-eO3ptgWgEv0nQqySocdIYdXCZNbsJckYgVU8yOUDUK9CyEXBdbOab-mLhX6TZ-8q-TwJlY2rHAU56pD0uEm20Ra0zN"></script>
<script src="https://d3js.org/d3.v6.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.7.1/dist/leaflet.js" integrity="sha512-XQoYMqMTK8LvdxXYG3nZ448hOEQiglfqkJs1NOQV44cWnUrBc8PkAOcXy20w0vlaXaVUearIOBhiXZ5V3ynxwA==" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_sr0otUAMLLzlkqBCscxNnxBF3kJK6_i7ZlSZyY-4IQo.js?scope=footer&amp;delta=5&amp;language=en&amp;theme=ahrq_bootstrap_barrio&amp;include=eJx1TNsOQDAM_SH0k5bWhkWt0_WBvxeXSAQvJ-eO3ptgWgEv0nQqySocdIYdXCZNbsJckYgVU8yOUDUK9CyEXBdbOab-mLhX6TZ-8q-TwJlY2rHAU56pD0uEm20Ra0zN"></script>
</body>
</html>