Strategies or tools that can facilitate information sharing and effective communication in interprofessional health care settings

Sample Answer

Two essential strategies and tools that facilitate information sharing and effective communication in interprofessional healthcare settings are Standardized Communication Tools and the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

1. Standardized Communication Tools (e.g., SBAR)

Standardized communication tools provide a fixed, consistent framework for sharing critical patient information, especially during handoffs or urgent consultations. This ensures all essential details are included, reducing the risk of errors or misunderstandings between different professionals (e.g., nurses, doctors, pharmacists, therapists).

The most common example is SBAR:

Situation: What is going on with the patient right now? (e.g., "The patient is experiencing sudden shortness of breath.")

Background: What is the clinical context? (e.g., "75-year-old male admitted two days ago for pneumonia. Has a history of CHF.")

Assessment: What do I think the problem is? (e.g., "I think he may be developing pulmonary edema.")

Recommendation: What do I suggest should be done? (e.g., "I need you to come and assess the patient immediately and consider a diuretic.")

Benefit: SBAR overcomes differences in professional communication styles, helping team members communicate concisely, clearly, and respectfully by focusing on the necessary information in a logical order.

2. Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of a patient's paper chart that can be accessed by all authorized members of the interprofessional team.

Benefit: EHRs serve as a central, single source of truth for all clinical data (notes, test results, medication lists, and care plans). This simultaneous access eliminates the time wasted waiting for paper charts or making separate calls for information.

Facilitation: They improve timeliness of information sharing, enhance coordination by allowing providers from different disciplines to track and update the same care plan, and promote patient safety by providing instant visibility into allergies, conflicting medications, and recent lab values.