Culture, communication and safety: lessons from the airline industry
Lori G d'Agincourt-Canning1, Niranjan Kissoon, Mona Singal
1Department of Pediatrics and Ethics Services, British Columbia Children's Hospital, 4500 Oak Street, Room B245, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada.
Background:
Communication is a critical component of effective teamwork and both are essential elements in providing high quality of care to patients. Yet, communication is not an innate skill but a process influenced by internal (personal/cultural values) as well as external (professional roles and hierarchies) factors.
Objective:
To provide illustrative cases, themes and tools for improving communication.
Methods:
Literature review and consensus opinion based on extensive experience.
Results:
Professional autonomy should be de-emphasized. Tools such as SBAR and simulation are important in communication and teamwork.
Conclusion:
Tools designed to improve communication and safety in the aviation industry may have applicability to the pediatric intensive care unit.
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