Communication between employees affects the provision of medical services and the quality of the hospital as a whole, but this is often neglected. Communication shortcomings when transferring a patient from one medical professional to another can be different, including the transmission of incomplete information necessary for quality treatment, incorrect information, incorrect perception of information (Sloane, et al., 2018). Confirmation of the importance of improving the communication of medical staff is confirmed by the fact that their mistakes can affect the treatment of patients (Bjarnadottir, et al., 2018). As a result of Funk et al.’s research, it was found that improving communication between employees contributes to improving the quality of services in medical institutions. Moreover, special tools have been created, such as SBAR.
Reduction of Mortality and Morbidity
As a result of research, it was found out that misunderstanding between medical staff can adversely affect patients, lead to medical errors and deaths. Consequently, numerous surveys and questionnaires of employees were conducted (Haegdorens, et al., 2019). Due to the importance of this problem, the US Department of Defense has decided to introduce certain tools to improve communication and avoid medical errors (Coster, Watkins, Norman et al., 2018). As a result, hospital staff have changed their attitude to this problem and improved the transfer of information and communication.
Improvement of efficacy
After introducing the SBAR tool to improve communication between employees, a study was conducted to calculate the results of improvements in quantitative ratio (Li, et al., 2019). Moreover, it has been found that an enhanced communication strategy can save resources and time (Blake, 2019). In addition to the introduction of special programs and tools, during the work it was found out that interns in medical institutions also help to facilitate the work of hospital staff.
Improvement of patient outcome
Maintaining clear and understandable verbal communication is essential to improve patient outcomes. In the course of the study, it was found that the SBAR is vital to facilitate the transfer of authority in the health sector (Liu, et al., 2018). The results show that the integration of SBAR in medical institutions facilitates the assessment of knowledge on job satisfaction, communication and functional relationships (Müller, et al., 2018). In the course of a study it was found that the inclusion of SBAR modeling with patient data transmission improves student collaboration, communication and information exchange, thereby contributing to positive outcomes for patients.
Communication Outcomes
The introduction of practical transfer tools in nursing departments has helped to reduce the number of medical errors. The results of the study show that the use of the TeamSTEPPS strategy to implement a bedside shift facilitated collaboration between patients and nurses (Streeter, Harrington, 2017). Integration also facilitated effective communication between night and day shift nurses, thereby limiting errors related to the provision of medical care. Thus, effective communication, teamwork and accountability increase the effectiveness of patient transfer.
Handoff
Based on various findings, the study concluded how transmissions occurring in high-impact settings could be replicated in the healthcare sector to improve patient safety. During the study, it became clear that before the introduction of a standardized transfer worksheet, researchers observed the transfer process. Thus, the transfer worksheet had to be redesigned taking into account the needs of the staff. Based on the literature review, concludes that educational and training measures aimed at cooperation are necessary to promote positive results in transmission (Uhm, Ko, Kim, 2019). That is why communication errors are the cause of adverse health consequences in labor and delivery departments, which leads to about 80% of serious medical errors.
References
Bjarnadottir, R. I., Herzig, C. T., Travers, J. L., Castle, N. G., & Stone, P. W. (2017). Implementation of electronic health records in US nursing homes. Computers, informatics, nursing: CIN, 35(8), 417. Web.
Blake, T., & Blake, T. (2019). Improving therapeutic communication in nursing through simulation exercise. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 14(4), 260-264.
Coster, S., Watkins, M., & Norman, I. J. (2018). What is the impact of professional nursing on patients’ outcomes globally? An overview of research evidence. International journal of nursing studies, 78, 76-83. Web.
Haegdorens, F., Van Bogaert, P., De Meester, K., & Monsieurs, K. G. (2019). The impact of nurse staffing levels and nurse’s education on patient mortality in medical and surgical wards: an observational multicentre study. BMC health services research, 19(1), 1-9.
Sloane, D. M., Smith, H. L., McHugh, M. D., & Aiken, L. H. (2018). Effect of changes in hospital nursing resources on improvements in patient safety and quality of care: a panel study. Medical care, 56(12), 1001.
Li, J., Li, X., Gu, L., Zhang, R., Zhao, R., Cai, Q.,… & Wei, H. (2019). Effects of Simulation-Based Deliberate Practice on Nursing Students’ Communication, Empathy, and Self-Efficacy. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(12), 681-689.
Liu, X., Zheng, J., Liu, K., Baggs, J. G., Liu, J., Wu, Y., & You, L. (2018). Hospital nursing organizational factors, nursing care left undone, and nurse burnout as predictors of patient safety: A structural equation modeling analysis. International journal of nursing studies, 86, 82-89.
Müller, M., Jürgens, J., Redaèlli, M., Klingberg, K., Hautz, W. E., & Stock, S. (2018). Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: a systematic review. BMJ open, 8(8).
Streeter, A. R., & Harrington, N. G. (2017). Nurse handoff communication. Seminars in oncology nursing 33 (5). 536-543.
Uhm, J. Y., Ko, Y., Kim, S. (2019). Implementation of an SBAR communication program based on experiential learning theory in a pediatric nursing practicum: A quasi-experimental study. Nurse education today, 80, 78-84.