What distinguishes a good health care team from a great one? A dedicated, experienced, and diverse group of health care professionals were brought together to ponder this important question. During deliberations, the group carefully formulated twenty essential, yet simple, concepts that exemplify a superior team. These concepts are The Essential 20. This book is written specifically for frontline health care support staff who either are in training or are reviewing their team"s effectiveness. It is hoped The Essential 20 can be both a template and a measure of a team s continuous pursuit of excellence.