Crisis Prevention Intervention Team
May 2026
Crisis Prevention Intervention Team
Chester County Hospital Penn Medicine
West Chester
,
PA
United States
Samantha Dawson
Patrick Johnson
Jennifer Brenneman
Jerry Peters
Melissa Quici
Sonya Hash
Patrick Johnson
Jennifer Brenneman
Jerry Peters
Melissa Quici
Sonya Hash
. They are strong role models of collaboration and teamwork, and their work positively impacts employees, patients, and families by promoting safer, more respectful care environments.
I would like to recognize CCH’s De-escalation Training Team (known as the CPI Team) for the collaboration, dedication, and care they have brought to this important work.
What this team has built is not just a training program; it is a meaningful, nurse-led initiative that is strengthening safety and support for staff, patients, and families across our organization.
The CPI Team is a nurse-led, multidisciplinary group that came together in the fall of 2023 to address a critical need, ensuring staff feel prepared to safely manage escalating situations. Since that time, they have designed and implemented a comprehensive crisis intervention training program reaching clinical staff across disciplines.
This work reflects strong alignment with ICARE values. The team demonstrates innovation through rapid adoption of an evidence-based training platform adapted to meet the needs of a diverse workforce, collaboration across disciplines, accountability in advancing workplace violence prevention, respect for patients and staff in crisis situations, and excellence in the quality and consistency of their training.
Over the past year, the CPI Team has trained 380 clinical-facing employees in verbal and physical de-escalation strategies, significantly improving staff confidence and preparedness. The team has expanded from 5 to 11 instructors, increasing access and sustainability.
In December, they adopted a new evidence-based CPI training platform and quickly launched the updated curriculum by February. They are now positioned to train up to 100 employees per month.
Key Outcomes Include:
• 360 clinical-facing staff trained in de-escalation strategies
• Instructor team expanded from 5 to 11
• Implementation of a new evidence-based CPI curriculum
• Capacity to train 100 employees per month
• High participant satisfaction, with an average score of 4.7
What stands out most is the feedback from staff. Participants consistently report increased confidence and preparedness:
• “Great course for building confidence in these situations.”
• “The hands-on training made a big difference.”
• “I feel like I would know what to do if a situation escalates.”
One example reflects the real impact of this work. A staff member shared that after completing the training, they were able to remain calm and safely de-escalate a patient situation that could have resulted in harm, protecting themselves, supporting colleagues, and maintaining the patient’s dignity.
The CPI Team brings years of experience in workplace violence prevention and has translated that into a practical, well-organized program that is making a difference across the organization. They are strong role models of collaboration and teamwork, and their work positively impacts employees, patients, and families by promoting safer, more respectful care environments.
This project, completed within the past year, represents a meaningful advancement in how we prepare and support staff in managing crisis situations.
This team has not only built a program, but they have also changed how our staff feel and respond in some of the most challenging moments of care. Their work is making a real and lasting difference, and they are truly deserving of this DAISY Team Award.
What this team has built is not just a training program; it is a meaningful, nurse-led initiative that is strengthening safety and support for staff, patients, and families across our organization.
The CPI Team is a nurse-led, multidisciplinary group that came together in the fall of 2023 to address a critical need, ensuring staff feel prepared to safely manage escalating situations. Since that time, they have designed and implemented a comprehensive crisis intervention training program reaching clinical staff across disciplines.
This work reflects strong alignment with ICARE values. The team demonstrates innovation through rapid adoption of an evidence-based training platform adapted to meet the needs of a diverse workforce, collaboration across disciplines, accountability in advancing workplace violence prevention, respect for patients and staff in crisis situations, and excellence in the quality and consistency of their training.
Over the past year, the CPI Team has trained 380 clinical-facing employees in verbal and physical de-escalation strategies, significantly improving staff confidence and preparedness. The team has expanded from 5 to 11 instructors, increasing access and sustainability.
In December, they adopted a new evidence-based CPI training platform and quickly launched the updated curriculum by February. They are now positioned to train up to 100 employees per month.
Key Outcomes Include:
• 360 clinical-facing staff trained in de-escalation strategies
• Instructor team expanded from 5 to 11
• Implementation of a new evidence-based CPI curriculum
• Capacity to train 100 employees per month
• High participant satisfaction, with an average score of 4.7
What stands out most is the feedback from staff. Participants consistently report increased confidence and preparedness:
• “Great course for building confidence in these situations.”
• “The hands-on training made a big difference.”
• “I feel like I would know what to do if a situation escalates.”
One example reflects the real impact of this work. A staff member shared that after completing the training, they were able to remain calm and safely de-escalate a patient situation that could have resulted in harm, protecting themselves, supporting colleagues, and maintaining the patient’s dignity.
The CPI Team brings years of experience in workplace violence prevention and has translated that into a practical, well-organized program that is making a difference across the organization. They are strong role models of collaboration and teamwork, and their work positively impacts employees, patients, and families by promoting safer, more respectful care environments.
This project, completed within the past year, represents a meaningful advancement in how we prepare and support staff in managing crisis situations.
This team has not only built a program, but they have also changed how our staff feel and respond in some of the most challenging moments of care. Their work is making a real and lasting difference, and they are truly deserving of this DAISY Team Award.