Communications in Patient Safety

The Importance of Communication in Patient Safety

Enhanced communication is at the top of every list when considering how to reduce medical error and improve patient safety. As long as there are failures in communication, whether between individuals or teams, patient safety issues will continue. Patients and their complicated needs, the ongoing shifts in healthcare systems, and explosion of knowledge and technology all contribute to a vital need for strong communication.   Communication effects every aspect of healthcare. Teams, leadership and workplace cultures are impacted by the failures of good communication. These failures are linked to patient safety issues like sentinel events, poor patient experiences, harm to the health care workforce, and resource mismanagement.

Four proven strategies that streamlines communication and engages every healthcare provider at each point of patient care include huddles, rounding, bedside reporting, and hand-off communication strategies.

·       Rounding is a tool used by both leadership and staff to communicate consistently with both patients and staff.

·       Huddles are a best practice that allow communication in the moment to discuss, evaluate and share information either at the beginning of a shift, or when an issue arises.

^·               Nurse to nurse bedside reporting is a strong end of shift report mechanism that the literature reflects has a positive impact on patient safety.

·       And finally, strong handoff communication strategies, in particular SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation), is proven to enhance communication between every caregiver, including physicians, nurses, technicians and leaders.

The ability to have safe, effective conversations to promote a culture of safety cannot be overestimated. This means not only between caregivers, but patients, families and leadership. We must have these conversations respectfully, always looking for ways to encourage honesty in our discussions and feedback, and giving providers the tools to communicate effectively and completion.

Resources

Why Communication is a Patient Safety Issue. The Institute for Healthcare Excellence Website. http://healthcareexcellence.org/2018/03/14/communication-patient-safety-issue/. 2018

About TeamSTEPPS. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Website. https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps/about-teamstepps/index.html

Develop A Culture of Safety. Institute for Healthcare Improvement Website. http://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Changes/DevelopaCultureofSafety.aspx

Malpractice Risks in Communication Failures. CRICI Strategies Website. https://www.rmf.harvard.edu/Malpractice-Data/Annual-Benchmark-Reports/Risks-in-Communication-Failures

Gooch, K. The chronic problem of communication: Why it’s a patient safety issue, and how hospitals can address it. Retrieved from: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/the-chronic-problem-of-communication-why-it-s-a-patient-safety-issue-and-how-hospitals-can-address-it.html