Define 'call-out' in TeamSTEPPS and describe when it should be used.

• A. An explicit, real-time alert about a safety issue directed to the whole team; used during critical events.
• B. A post-event summary of errors.
• C. A ritual to decompress after shifts.
• D. A private message to the lead clinician.

Answer: (A)

Call-out is a real-time, explicit alert about a safety issue or critical development that is directed to the whole team. It’s used during dynamic, high-stakes situations to quickly share essential information so everyone is aware and can act together, keeping everyone on the same page and speeding coordinated responses. For example, if a patient’s oxygen saturation begins to drop, a team member loudly states the change so all teammates know to reassess and intervene promptly. This approach helps establish a shared situational awareness and keeps attention focused on the most urgent item.

It isn’t a post-event summary or debrief, which happens after something has occurred, nor is it a ritual to decompress or a private message to the lead clinician.