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Understanding the Importance of Interdepartmental Communication in Health Care
Suggested Reading 1 Gillespie, B. M., Gwinner, K., Chaboyer, W., & Fairweather, N. (2013). Team communications in surgery – creating a culture of safety. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 27(5), 387-393. DOI: 10.3109/13561820.2013. 784243. 2 Hubbard, Z. S., Henderson, F., Armonda, R. A., Spiotta, A. M., Rosenbaum, R., & Henderson, F. (2018). The shipboard Beirut Terrorist Bombing experience: A historical account and recommendations for preparedness in events of mass neurological injuries. Neurosurgical Focus, 45(6). https://doi. org/10.3171/2018.9.focus 18390 3 Shamir, M. Y., Weiss, Y. G., Willner, D., Mintz, Y., Bloom, A. I., Weiss, Y., Sprung, C. L., & Weissman, C. (2004). Multiple casualty terror events: The anesthesiologist’s perspective. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 1746–1752. https://doi.org/10.1213/01. ane.0000121307.33776.84 4 Weinger, M. B., & Gaba, D. M. (2014). Human factors engineering in patient safety. Anesthesiology, 120(4), 801–806. https:// doi.org/10.1097/ aln.0000000000000144 5 Weller, J., et al. (2014). Teams, tribes and patient safety: overcoming barriers to effective teamwork in healthcare. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 90(1061), 149–154. DOI: 10.1136/ postgradmedj-2012-131168.
Cory DeSole Faragon Joseph Louca
Learning Objectives 1. Enhance communication skills for interdepartmental collaboration. 2. Develop cross-departmental understanding and knowledge. 3. Foster a collaborative and respectful interdepartmental culture.
Introduction Effective interdepartmental communication is crucial in healthcare organizations to ensure effective collaboration, enhance patient care, and optimize operational efficiency. Departmentalization, although necessary, creates distinct goals and opposing priorities, and may foster different communication styles among individuals in different departments. Overcoming the challenges posed by departmentalization requires deliberate effort, mastery of communication skills, and the cultivation of helpful qualities such as patience, flexibility, curiosity, equanimity, preparedness, and pragmatism. In this chapter, we explore the essential traits and strategies required for successful interdepartmental communication in healthcare. Regular meetings, effective communication methods, mutual rewards, a clear chain of command, auditing, and recreational activities to build strong relationships among providers from different departments are all helpful in promoting strong and efficient interdepartmental communication. Additionally, we will present two scenarios illustrating the practical application of these strategies. By understanding the significance of interdepartmental communication and implementing effective strategies, healthcare organizations can break down barriers, bridge
the gap between departments, and create a more collaborative environment to improve our communication and by virtue, patient care. Examples of interdepartmental communication in healthcare include: 1. Collaborative decision making: An anesthesiologist in a preoperative clinic communicates with the attending cardiothoracic surgeon via email, This collaborative exchange ensures comprehensive patient care involving multiple specialties. 2. Emergency response: Emergency department personnel page the trauma surgeons to request immediate care for a critically injured patient. This prompt communication facilitates the timely mobilization of resources and expertise from different departments to save lives. 3. Clinical coordination: The physician in charge of an intensive care unit holds an in-person meeting with the ICU pharmacist and a member of the infectious disease department to review antibiotic guidelines. This multidisciplinary discussion promotes optimal patient treatment and helps ensure adherence to best practices. recommending further cardiac workup for a patient scheduled for a procedure.
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