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. 2021 May 3;16(5):e0250932.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250932. eCollection 2021.

Communication of preclinical emergency teams in critical situations: A nationwide study

Matthias Zimmer  1 , Daria Magdalena Czarniecki  2 , Stephan Sahm  1   3
Affiliations

Communication of preclinical emergency teams in critical situations: A nationwide study

Matthias Zimmer et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: The emergency medical service as a high-risk workplace is a danger to patient safety. A main factor for patient safety, but also at the same time a main factor for patient harm, is team communication. Team communication is multidimensional and occurs before, during, and after the patient's treatment.

Methods: In an online based, anonymous and single-blinded study, medical and non-medical employees in the emergency medical services were asked about team communication, and communication errors.

Results: Seven hundred and fourteen medical and non-medical rescue workers from all over Germany took part. Among them, 72.0% had harmed at least one patient during their work. With imprecise communication, 81.7% rarely asked for clarification. Also, 66.3% saw leadership behavior as the cause of poor communication; 46.0% could not talk to their superiors about errors. Of note, 96.3% would like joint training of medical and non-medical employees in communication.

Conclusion: Deficits in team communication occur frequently in the rescue service. There is a clear need for uniform training in team and communication skills in all professions.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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