Nurses play a vital role in communication in hospitals by reducing errors, keeping patients and families informed and improving satisfaction. Effective communication requires considering the needs of individual patients and families, such as age and health knowledge, and listening skills. Good communication between nurses, patients, doctors and family members can help patients heal and reassure loved ones through clear explanations, addressing questions and listening to concerns.

1. Communication and
Nursing:
A Vital Combination!

2. *Helps reduce medical errors
*Ensured that patients know exactly what is going
on with them
*Prevents medication errors
*Prevents malpractice lawsuits due to medical
errors
*Helps family members feel confident that they
know what is going on with their loved one
*Overall higher satisfaction from patients!

3. WHO COMMUNICATES IN
HOSPITALS?
Nurses and:
- Patients
- Doctors
- Family members
- Other medical staff

4. HOW COMMUNICATION DIFFERS WITH INDIVIDUALS:
NURSES AND PATIENTS
 When talking with a patient, a nurse must consider the age of
the person, as well as their knowledge level about their health
(Finke)
For Example:
*Young children must have things explained to them in a
way that doesn’t scare them, but they still understand.
 Nurses must consider the location in which they’re practicing
For Example:
* If a patient is living in an area where drug abuse is
popular among patients, nurses must educate their patients
on the effects of drug abuse and offer rehabilitation options if
needed.

5. HOW COMMUNICATION DIFFERS WITH
INDIVIDUALS: NURSES AND DOCTORS
Nurses usually spend more time with patients than
doctors, therefore it is important to:
*Give quick, efficient communication
*Listen to the doctors and ensure everyone
knows what is going on to avoid mistakes
*Double Check orders (White)

6. HOW COMMUNICATION DIFFERS WITH
INDIVIDUALS: NURSES AND FAMILY MEMBERS
 The hospital can be a scary place, it is important to make
sure family members are at ease with the care their loved one
is receiving.
- Explain everything that is being done to ensure the
healing of the patient
- Answer any questions family may have
- Ensure the family member that everything is being done
to help their loved one
- Listen to what the family members have to
say, good, bad or otherwise!

7. What is the common theme with
good communication?
Listening!

8. WAYS TO IMPROVE LISTENING SKILLS
 When listening to a patient, make sure you evaluate of their
concerns
 Most of communication is done non verbally - look for signals
from the patient
 When listening to a doctor or other medical professional, try
to block out distractions of possible and don’t interrupt until
they are done speaking

9. When communicating, remember
listening is key!

10. WORKS CITED
 White Mary. Email Interview October 26 2011
 Finke, Erinn H, Janice Light, and Lisa Kitko. "A systematic
review of the ef fectiveness of nurse communication with
patients with complex communication needs with a focus on
the use of augmentative and alternative communication."
Journal of Clinical Nursing 17.16 (2008): 2102 - 2115.
Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 4 Oct. 2011 .