REDUCING PREVENTABLE HARM IN HEALTHCARE: THE ROLE OF INTERPROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION AND TEAMWORK—AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Background: Preventable harm remains a concern in hospital care, where safe treatment depends on communication and coordination across healthcare professions. This review aims to examine how interprofessional communication and teamwork relate to patient safety. Methods: A preliminary synthesis was developed from five selected primary studies examining structured rounds, standardised nurse–physician communication, family centred communication, and team training. Clinical outcomes and staff perceptions were examined separately. The planned database searches, independent screening, and formal appraisal remain incomplete. Results: Findings varied across studies. Structured interdisciplinary rounds and family centred communication were associated with fewer adverse events in some nonrandomised evaluations. Standardised escalation communication was associated with fewer unexpected deaths alongside increased unplanned intensive care admissions. However, a multicentre controlled trial found improved nurse-rated teamwork without a statistically significant reduction in adverse events. Communication training reduced perceived safety risk, while several other staff-reported measures remained unchanged. Differences in designs, outcomes, and denominators limited direct comparisons; no pooled estimate was calculated. Conclusion: Interprofessional communication interventions may support safer hospital care, but clinical benefits remain uncertain. Implementation should address local communication needs and include evaluation of patient harm, adherence, and feasibility. Completion of the planned review is required before firm conclusions about overall effectiveness can be drawn.