Interdepartmental Communication: A Crucial Factor in Infection Prevention

Interdepartmental communication using hand-held 2-way radios

(Adobe Firefly)

The premise is simple. If a patient has a contagious infection and moves from one location to the next within a medical center, the infection travels with them, spreading from room to room and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit to HVAC unit. The risks are multilevel if the person transporting does not correctly share the infectious status.

The only way to mitigate such risks is to ensure proper communication about them. With good communication, there is no loss of prevention throughout the transfer. Everyone remains safe. Effective interdepartmental communication can mitigate risks, resolve problems faster, and provide better overall solutions for infection prevention.

Why Clear Communication in Infection Prevention Is Essential

According to the CDC, a clear step-by-step process for managing infection prevention and control must be followed to preserve health and minimize risk to others. It notes that effective internal communication and collaboration between departments can enhance the safety of all patients.

Clear communication is crucial in health care settings, and using 2-way radios for hospitals and health care facilities can support a center in providing the best level of care possible. These devices help mitigate the risk of infectious spread without adding additional tasks for already burdened teams.

Key Departments Involved in Infection Prevention Communication

When it comes to effective infection prevention and control (IPC), every department within the medical center plays a role in either success or failure. No one wants to spread disease. Yet, without communication across all platforms and departments, some support staff may very well transmit infection from one person to the next.

Every hospital or medical center component must play a role in containing and limiting the spread of disease. This includes:

• All clinical service departments
• All IPC services
• Environmental services
• Human resource teams
• Lab services
• Pharmacies
• Safety committees
• Volunteer organizations
• HCO leaders and managers
• HCP representatives
• Information tech professionals
• Legal departments

Collaboration between occupational health services (OHS) and healthcare organizations (HCO) maximizes infection control. If any component of this process fails, though, the risks amplify.

How Communication Gaps Can Lead to Increased Infection Risk

Miscommunication is a very big concern across all industries today. In the healthcare industry, though, it is a matter of life and death. Studies reported by the National Institute of Health show that when patients are routinely transported from one area or department of a hospital to another location, ineffective communication of infectious status results in non-compliance. In short, infection control precautions do not take place.

Author: Rick Farrell, President, PlantTours

This exposure risks the organization's staff and other patients, some of whom may be at high risk of health complications.

Recent data found that medical errors in the US are the third leading cause of death. More so, a study from Michigan State University and Kaweah Health found that one of the most common reasons for medical errors is a lack of communication between departments and teams when providing patient care.

Common Challenges in Interdepartmental Communication: What Goes Wrong?

Each department within a medical center provides a different level or type of service. Yet, each of those separate services must work together to provide the best possible care for the patient. Interdepartmental communication is the core of this, and dozens of tools are available to facilitate it. Why doesn’t it happen as it should?

Lack of understanding of policies and requirements: One core reason for interdepartmental communication failures is a lack of understanding of steps, rules, procedures, or expectations. If employees do not know processes well enough, they cannot follow the necessary rules closely to avoid infectious spread.

Limitations on time and effectiveness: Recently, teams have begun using digital communication methods and transferring care from one department to the next. Yet, this is not enough. Poor interdepartmental communication stems from insufficient tools to manage this process efficiently. If the communication process requires too many steps, it will not happen in time constraints.

Inefficient communication channels: Too many digital tools, too many logins, or frustrating access limitations to communication channels create roadblocks to efficiency. Teams communicate at a much higher level by streamlining communication strategies and creating a cohesive, simple-to-use solution.

The first step is to have infection control policies in place. Creating a streamlined, simple way for one department to communicate with the other in real time is also essential. Proper training must also be implemented to overcome any of these challenges. Organizations with a streamlined and efficient process for communicating risk typically see far better adherence to medical best practices.

The Best Practices for Enhancing Communication Across Departments

• Implementing these best practices can help reduce infection risks within hospital settings:
• Create an efficient workflow. Please limit the steps to transfer a person from one area to the next. It’s critical to ensure valuable information about infectious diseases is communicated, but not to overburden with dozens of steps.
• Nurture 2-way communication tools: One of the most powerful methods for improving overall communication is creating a simple-to-use method that allows people to communicate efficiently. A two-way communication device like a radio can simplify the entire process.
• Develop a workplace communication strategy. This ensures a constant flow of information across all formats. It is streamlined and tailored to the location, but all departments use the same methods.

Utilize these steps to help improve organizational communication, no matter how many locations a patient must travel within a hospital setting. Interdepartmental communication could enhance health outcomes for patients and providers.