Communication and Safety

McKnight’s reported on two recent studies that highlight the importance of communication in the healthcare industry. Communication breakdowns among care team members in nursing homes and home-based care undermine patient safety.

A Swedish study of 112 assistant nurses in nursing homes found that these frontline workers serve a key role in monitoring patient safety, often described as “the nurses’ eyes and ears” for patient safety.

Assistant nurses report crucial details, such as changes in medications and the patient’s side effects, to the Registered nurses. However, 81% reported rarely or never participating in ward rounds with doctors, primarily because they are not invited to these meetings of the medical team. Assistant nurses express strong interest in attending ward rounds, as they can contribute valuable attention insights and observations during these meetings.

Research from this study also uncovered knowledge gaps in their understanding of drug-related issues and inappropriate medications. Although many assistant nurses generally felt confident in their medication knowledge, additional assessment revealed areas of needed improvement, suggesting that further training could enhance patient safety. The Swedish study found that 75% of assistant nurses had suspected medication side effects in residents, and 83% had reported these concerns to nurses, demonstrating their active role in safety monitoring.

A separate review of home-based care reinforced the importance of clear communication, well-defined roles, and personnel continuity, all of which are crucial for providing adequate care. When the same nurses consistently work with families, they are able to build trust, which in turn strengthens the quality of care. The home-based care review also found that family caregivers often feel stressed by having to adjust their schedules around nursing visit times.

Researchers found that while families may initially resist professional nursing support, trust can grow within these relationships when the nurses provide proactive health education and maintain consistent staffing. This is in contrast to frequent staff changes, which leave families with heightened anxiety and uncertainty about quality care levels.