@article{15341,
  author = {Matthias Zimmer and Daria Magdalena Czarniecki and Stephan Sahm},
  title = {Communication of preclinical emergency teams in critical situations: a nationwide study},
  abstract = {<jats:sec id="sec001">
<jats:title>Background</jats:title>
<jats:p>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.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec002">
<jats:title>Methods</jats:title>
<jats:p>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.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec003">
<jats:title>Results</jats:title>
<jats:p>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.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec004">
<jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title>
<jats:p>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.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>},
  year = {2021},
  journal = {PLoS One},
  volume = {16},
  chapter = {e0250932},
  pages = {e0250932},
  month = {05/2021},
  publisher = {Public Library of Science (PLoS)},
  issn = {1932-6203},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0250932},
}