From the Guidelines
Effective communication in a trauma team is crucial and should prioritize structured protocols like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) or closed-loop communication to reduce morbidity and mortality. The importance of effective communication in trauma teams cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts patient outcomes by reducing errors and ensuring comprehensive care in high-stress environments 1. Key components of effective communication include:
- Clear and concise verbal communication, with team members speaking loudly enough to be heard in chaotic environments while maintaining a calm demeanor
- Non-verbal communication through hand signals when verbal communication is difficult
- Empowering all team members to speak up about safety concerns using techniques like CUS (Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety issue)
- Regular briefings and debriefings to maintain situational awareness, with the team leader summarizing findings and plans at key intervals 1
- Thorough and contemporaneous documentation, with one team member assigned to record vital signs, interventions, and medication administration times
The use of structured communication tools like SAED (Situation, Antécédents, Évaluation, Demande) or SCAR (Situation, Context, Appreciation, Recommendation) can also improve teamwork and safety climate, reducing the number of unplanned admissions to intensive care 1. Furthermore, briefings have been shown to improve team performance, favor a healthy safety climate, reduce delays, and decrease the rate of adverse events during procedures 1. By prioritizing effective communication, trauma teams can significantly improve patient outcomes, reducing morbidity and mortality, and enhancing the overall quality of care.
From the Research
Role of Effective Communication in a Trauma Team
- Effective communication is crucial in a trauma team to prevent medical errors and ensure high-quality patient care delivery 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Trauma team members' miscommunication experiences and research scientists' evaluations of live trauma activations highlight the need for team and leader communication training 4
- Communication training programs, such as TeamSTEPPS, can improve staff perception of teamwork and communication in an academic Level I Emergency and Trauma Center 3
- Structured briefing prior to patient arrival can enhance interprofessional communication and collaboration in the trauma team 5
Key Components of Effective Communication
- Verbal and non-verbal communication, including gaze direction, vocal nuances, and gestures, play a decisive role in the interaction between trauma team members 6
- Team members' positioning in the emergency room and leaders' control over the "inner circle" can impact communication and teamwork 6
- Leaders' non-verbal communication, such as hesitant voice or silence, can express ambiguity and increase the risk of errors 6
- Regular practice and simulation training can help healthcare professionals improve their communication skills and patient safety 2, 6
Benefits of Effective Communication
- Improved teamwork and communication can lead to better patient outcomes and reduced medical errors 2, 3, 4, 5
- Enhanced interprofessional collaboration and communication can increase providers' self-perception of teamwork performance 5
- Effective communication can reduce ambiguity and increase awareness of each other's roles and tasks among team members 6