What are some barriers to communication in the hospital environment? How can they be overcome?

Ideally, a patient's chart exists to prevent mistakes and complications that stem from miscommunication in a hospital setting. Unfortunately, the methodical and detailed documentation of symptoms, medications, and procedures often fails to make up for human error.

Most people employed at hospitals work long, exhausting shifts. They juggle responsibilities in a high-stress setting where their decisions literally mean life and death. Whether it is a nurse, doctor, specialist, surgical tech, or janitor, each person plays a critical role in solving problems and saving lives. The combination of stress and exhaustion can often mean mistakes not only in documentation, but also in communication between professionals. This challenge can also extend to communication between patients, their loved ones, and professionals in the health field. Quite often the responsibility lies on the shoulders of patients and patients' family members. If a professional records the wrong dosage, medication allergies, or medical history, it is often the person in the hospital bed or their loved ones who catches the error.

Vigilance and patience are key to overcoming communication challenges in a hospital whether you are a patient, loved one, or professional.