How Hospital Staff Miscommunication Can Cause Harm
Many people have a basic understanding of the kind of negligence that can support medical malpractice claims. The danger associated with miscommunication between hospital staff, however, often goes unrecognized.
To provide the level of care patients are entitled to, medical professionals in the hospital setting must work as a team, which requires clear communication. If you’ve been harmed by miscommunication between your healthcare providers in the hospital, our medical malpractice attorneys at Ginsberg & O’Connor can help.
The Impact of Inadequate Communication
It’s difficult to overstate exactly how important clear communication between attending healthcare providers in the hospital setting is. And there are several primary areas of concern.
Communication between doctors and nurses goes both ways, and regardless of where the communication breakdown occurs, the negative impact can be serious. Nurses generally conduct initial patient assessments, and the important information they collect is then shared with the attending physician. When a problem arises in this direct form of communication, it can lead to very serious problems like the following:
- Failure to emphasize the appropriate healthcare priorities can lead to delayed care or misdiagnosis.
- A breakdown in timely communication can delay much-needed care
- Inadequate documentation, which can lead to incorrect care plans
- Failure to communicate changes in the patient’s condition can prove life-threatening
Doctors also provide nurses with critical information for patient care, and any discrepancies can lead to dire consequences. A prime example is vague care instructions, which greatly increase the risk of dangerous errors.
When Nurses Miscommunicate with One Another
At shift changes, miscommunication between the nurse going off duty and the nurse coming on is a primary concern. Further, hospital patients often require the collaborative care of multiple nurses, which requires precise communication among them. Any failure to effectively communicate at this level can lead to inferior health outcomes.
Ultimately, failure to communicate is often at the heart of hospital never events. These include performing the wrong operation, operating on the wrong patient, and leaving surgical tools in the patient, and they highlight just how dangerous miscommunication can be.
The Hospital’s Responsibility
While medical staff have an immense responsibility for clear communication among themselves, the hospital itself also bears an important duty of care. This includes having effective communication protocols in place and carefully enforcing them. A breakdown in this category of communication can lead to systemic problems and to an increase in negligence-based injuries.
Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help
Our savvy Cherry Hill medical malpractice attorneys at Ginsberg & O’Connor have a wealth of experience helping clients achieve favorable outcomes, and we’re on your side. Learn more by contacting us online or by calling our firm at 856-727-1991 today.