Better communication among caregive...

Better communication among caregivers could make less the risk of infant deaths during delivery in hospitals, according to a July 22 2004 stranges release from the Joint Commission upon Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). A investigation of infant deaths and major injuries reported end JCAHO's health care errors database set up that almost 75% of hospitals cited communication breakdowns as a major factor in infant deaths. Specific communication issues included a lack of teamwork, not following the chain of communication, and an atmosphere that discourages team members from speaking up Other lower part causes of infant deaths included lack of staff and training, inadequate fetal monitoring, and unavailability of monitoring equipment and medications.

Based in succession these findings, JCAHO issued an alert to more than 4500 accredited hospitals to create fresh awareness of the problem and present practical solutions for reducing the risk of infant deaths and major injuries. The alert commends that hospitals take the following actions.

* direction formal team training sessions for obstetrical and perinatal team members.

* Use care guidelines established by dint of the American Academy of Pediatrics; the American community of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

* perform the operations indicated in clear procedures for fetal monitoring of potential high-risk patients.

* Make stable that key personnel are available for turn of events interventions.

* make secure that neonatal resuscitation areas are appropriately equipped and functioning.

Joint Commission Issues Alert: Caregiver Communication guide to Preventing Infant Deaths (new release, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill: Joint Commission forward Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, July 22 2004) http://www.jcaho.org/news+room/news+release+archives/nr_sea30.htm (accessed 3 Aug 2004)

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