Teamwork And Communication In Health Care Essay

The health care system is a highly complex environment that consists of staffing shortages, medically complex patients with multiple co-morbidities, and chronic diseases that require care from an interdisciplinary team. Medical error vulnerability is increased when healthcare team members are under stress, are in high-task situations, and when they are not communicating clearly or effectively (Institute for Healthcare Communication, 2011). When health care professionals are not communicating effectively, patient safety is at risk due to lack of critical patient information, misinterpretation of information, unclear verbal and telephone orders, and overlooked changes in patient status. However, when healthcare professionals communicate effectively, it can lead to positive outcomes such as improved information flow, more effective interventions, improved safety, enhanced employee morale, increased patient and family satisfaction, and decreased lengths of stay (O’Daniel & Rosenstein, 2008). Effective clinical practice involves many instances where critical information must be accurately communicated; therefore, when effective teamwork and communication in health care delivery is employed, the presence of a fluid team will have an immediate and positive impact on patient safety.
References
Institute for Healthcare Communication. (2011). Impact of Communication in Healthcare. Retrieved February 3, 2016 from http://healthcarecomm.org/about-us/impact-of-communication-in-healthcare.

O’Daniel, M., & Rosenstein, A. (2008). Professional Communication and Team Collaboration. Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality (US). Retrieved from