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Bad Communication, Lack of Accountability
Lead to Medical Errors
The Commonwealth Fund
January 26, 2005
Poor communication and collaboration among health professionals as well as a lack of adequate support systems, skills, and personal accountability all contribute to medical errors, a study found Wednesday.
The national study of more than 1,700 nurses, physicians, clinical-care staff and administrators found that fewer than 10 percent address behavior by colleagues that routinely includes trouble following directions, poor clinical judgment, or taking dangerous shortcuts. The report was co-sponsored by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and VitalSmarts, a leadership training and organizational performance firm.
"Too often, improving workplace communications is seen as a 'soft' issue-the truth is we must build environments that support and demand greater candor among staff if we are to make a demonstrable impact on patients safety," said Kathy McCauley, president of the critical-care nurses group.
Other findings:
· 84 percent of physicians and 62 percent of nurses and other clinical-care providers have seen co-workers taking shortcuts that could be dangerous to patients.
· 88 percent of physicians and 48 percent of nurses and other providers work with people who show poor clinical judgment.
· Fewer than 10 percent of physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff, directly confront their colleagues about their concerns, and one in five physicians said they have seen harm come to patients as a result.
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