Improving Patient Safety Through Enhanced Provider Communication

Kay Daugherty, Ph.D., R.N., Denver Health and Hospital Authority, CO
AHRQ Grant No. HS015846-01

Overview

This project focuses on improving the safety and effectiveness of communication between providers and among teams. A standardized situational briefing model is used as a guide to facilitate timely communication about changes in patient status on need. The model is also used to implement daily patient-centered rounds by multi-disciplinary teams and to conduct team huddles each shift to discuss patient care plans. In addition, the project uses other communication tools designed to help clinicians and health care professionals implement effective teamwork and communication strategies in their practice settings to improve patient safety.

The toolkit includes:

• A framework for specific communication strategies.
• Educational materials.
• Evaluation and analysis tools.

Target Audience

Physicians, nurses, quality and safety professionals.

Health Care Setting

Hospital care units.

Toolkit Web Site

http://www.safecoms.org

Press Releases

AHRQ Awards More Than $8 Million To Further Implementation of Evidence-Based Patient Safety Findings
June 8, 2005

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