Developing interdisciplinary protocols to enhance communication between pharmacists, nurses, and laboratory technicians
Keywords:
Healthcare workers, interprofessional communication, patients, health communication, collaborative process, documentation in the Electronic Health Records (HER), adverse eventsAbstract
Background: Multifaceted communication occurs throughout the healthcare system, thereby incorporating the interaction between pharmacists, nurses and laboratory technicians and the patients they serve. Unfortunately, analyzing communication between these disciplines indicates that such gaps create errors and potential threats to patients’ safety. Communication protocols between these disciplines have been suggested in countering such issue. Aim: This research will seek to look at the standards of communication protocols between different healthcare disciplines and the best ways that the standards can be adopted. Methods: This paper discusses literature, case, and field studies of effective communication that have been applied and adapted in healthcare facilities, with emphasis on technological innovation, training, and protocol formulation and implementation. Results: The results include that the planned communication, in form of structured communication meetings and use of Electronic health records facts the team and enhances patient safety. It also reveals that the training delivered in technical and soft skills help in the improvement of the communication flow. Conclusion: The framework of cross-disciplinary working is crucial for improving communication and consequently for reducing medical risk.
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