Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Identifying and correcting communication failures among health professionals working in the Emergency Department
Annamaria Bagnasco1, Barbara Tubino, Emanuela Piccotti
1Health Sciences Department, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genova, Italy. Annamaria.bagnasco@unige.it
Objective:
The aim of this study was to identify effective corrective measures to ensure patient safety in the Paediatric Emergency Department (ED).
Methods:
In order to outline a clear picture of these risks, we conducted a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and a Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), at a Emergency Department of a Children's Teaching Hospital in Northern Italy. The Error Modes were categorised according to Vincent's Taxonomy of Causal Factors and correlated with the Risk Priority Number (RPN) to determine the priority criteria for the implementation of corrective actions.
Results:
The analysis of the process and outlining the risks allowed to identify 22 possible failures of the process. We came up with a mean RPN of 182, and values >100 were considered to have a high impact and therefore entailed a corrective action.
Conclusions:
Mapping the process allowed to identify risks linked to health professionals' non-technical skills. In particular, we found that the most dangerous Failure Modes for their frequency and harmfulness were those related to communication among health professionals.
Related Concept Videos
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Errors occurring during blood pressure monitoring
Several factors...
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation
Communication
Within...
SBAR I: Understanding the Concept
Standardized methods of communication have been developed to ensure that information is...
Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:

