Acute Care and Communication Research Proposal

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Ineffective Communication Between Shifts in Acute Care Settings

Significant

A recent statistics of the adverse effects arisen from ineffective communication between shifts in acute care setting range from 2.6% to 7.6%, however, Okoniewska, et al. (2015) believes that the adverse effects on in-patients can be between 19% and 23%. (Classen, Resar, Griffin. et al. 2011).

The Study aims to discuss the adverse effective arisen from ineffective communication between shifts within acute care settings.

Consequences of not solving the problem

Without implementing the strategies that can enhance effective communication between shifts in an acute healthcare setting, the issue can lead to mortality, readmission, and post-hospital adverse effects. Moreover, poor communication between shifts can lead to medication problems resulting to therapeutic errors. (Okoniewska, et al. 2015). Moreover, lack of intervention to address the problem can lead to medical errors, which can lead to patients' harms. Communication failure has also been identified as the root cause of more than 70% of sentinel events, resource use, and the length of patient's stay leading to caregiver dissatisfactions and rapid caregiver turnover. Lack of intervention to address ineffective communication can also jeopardize patients' safety by "increasing tension, increasing cognitive load, and interrupting routine in the healthcare system." (Lingard, 2004 p 330, Dingley, Daugherty, Derieg, et al. 2008).

However, King et al. (2013) argue that poor communication between shifts has been identified as the strongest predictor of 30-day re-hospitalization. Thus, failure to identify and recognize the issues can lead to a cultural clash, blame, and unrealistic expectations. Moreover, inadequate communication discharge can have a negative impact on patients' family and staff in a care setting. Consequently, inaccurate information can produce care delays because of the time-consuming process of recording and gathering information necessary to implement a safe and effective healthcare plan. In the orthopedic devices, ineffective communication can lead to an increased risk for re-hospitalization and mobility issues. (King et al. 2013).

C. Costs of not solving the problem

The gravity of the adverse effect from ineffective communication has led to an increase in the estimated total costs of between $17 billion and $19 billion annually. Similarly, the economic burden of ineffective communication in an acute care setting in Canada is $1.1 billion. (Dingley et al. 2008). Moreover, the costs of poor communication were estimated reaching $1.7 billion in malpractice costs leading to the loss of 2,000 lives in 2009. Ritu, Daniel, Diaz et al. (2010) use the economic model to demonstrate the costs of ineffective communication between shift. The costs include waste in nurse time, physician time and patient length of stay. For example, the costs associated with waste in physician time is estimated reaching $800 million annually. Moreover, communication inefficiencies lead to wastage of more than $4.9 billion annually because of waste in nurse time. Since the demand for nurses professional is more than demand, an unproductive use of nurse' time can further aggravate the resources constraint.

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Increase the length of stay because of ineffective communication also leads to economic wastage of approximately $6.6 billion annually.

II. Background

A. Definitions

1. Conceptual definitions

a: Communication: In a healthcare setting, communication is defined as an exchange of information between healthcare professionals to enhance effective diagnosis of patients and delivery of acute care.

b: Effective communication: This is a reciprocal and interactive process among healthcare professionals. It involves sender and recipients, which is critical to ensure that message is received and understood. Ability to communicate effectively leads to an accurate diagnosis of patients, which enhance effective acute care delivery.

c: Ineffective Communication: Unfortunately, ineffective communication is the breakdown of communication among healthcare professionals or between healthcare professionals and patients. Poor communication is associated with complaints and mishaps.

d: Shift: In a healthcare setting, shift refers to the rotation of works among healthcare professionals. In the United States, the traditional 8-hour work is becoming things of the past for nurses. Most healthcare organizations are mandating nurses to work 12-hour shifts. However, when shifts are combined with overtime, nurses face the risk of burnout and fatigue that may compromise patient care. (Stimpfel, et al. 2012).

e: Acute Care: An acute care is referred as the branch of healthcare where patients receive short-term and active treatments for different types of severe injuries. Acute care also provides healthcare services for patients in need of urgent medical conditions.

Operational Definitions:

a. Almost et al. (2015) argue that effective teamwork communication is an effective tool that reduces stress and burnout, improving patients' satisfaction as well as increasing job satisfaction. However, communication failure within healthcare leads to patient harm and ineffective teamwork.

b. PICOT has referred P ( patient problem or population), I (Intervention), C (comparison), and O (outcomes).

c. Carlson, (2012) argues that insufficient or ineffective communication is a significant factor that contributes to adverse health effects. Communication failures in acute settings can increase patients' harms and intense caregiver dissatisfaction.

d. Spooner et al. (2013) point out that effective clinical shift enhances leads to the provision of high quality, safe and continuing care. However, inaccurate and incomplete communication can lead to poor health outcomes in the intensive care unit. Thus, miscommunication during clinical handover can reduce the quality of healthcare delivery.

B. Guidelines of Applicable existing Clinical Practice

1."Pharmaceutical research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)" (PhrMa, 2015 p 1) shows that availability of information during the clinical trial assists in enhancing integrity and accuracy of care. By communicating information in a timely manner, it enhances quality healthcare delivery.

2. The "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)" does not provide the recommendations to improve communication between shifts in acute care settings

(CDC, 2016 p ).

III. Review of the literature justifying the need for this systematic review

A. Conflicting findings with.....

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