Communication Failures Put Patients at Risk

Checklists and other safety strategies alert health care workers to potential problems that may endanger patients. Unfortunately, such policies aren’t enough to ensure patient safety.
In a new study, more than half of the nurses surveyed were concerned about shortcuts that led to patient harm or near misses. However, only 17 percent of them shared their concern with colleagues.
The nurses attributed their hesitancy to speak up to disrespect from other health care professionals. The study authors blame a culture of silence in American hospitals and conclude much more work is needed to create a culture of safety that protects patients.
[http://www.silenttreatmentstudy.com]