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Effective Communication—Tips and Tricks

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Patient Safety in Surgery

Abstract

Engaging, effective and transparent communication between physicians and their patients, the patients’ family members, and other medical staff is paramount patient safety and for building the foundation of the physician-patient relationship. Understanding the needs, wishes and beliefs of patients helps delineate their care plan, improve their outcomes and greatly decrease the risk of litigation. Physicians and other members of the health care team have adopted the use of standardized communication tools to ensure vital information is shared and the mutually understood. The use of mnemonic algorithms and the implementation of safety system practices adopted from other high-risk domains are helpful tools to increase patient safety in surgery.

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Correspondence to Philip F. Stahel MD, FACS .

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag London

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Stahel, P.F., Butler, N. (2014). Effective Communication—Tips and Tricks. In: Stahel, P., Mauffrey, C. (eds) Patient Safety in Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4369-7_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4369-7_9

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4368-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4369-7

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