Title: Identify the means of and purpose for effective communication among operating room team members and between the surgical team and other hospital departments/other hospitals.
Course: Surgical Technologist I (14056-I) > Section: Exploring the World of Surgical Technology

Identification should include

- the means of written communication, such as communication boards, reports, computerized record systems, patient charts, and pneumatic tubes
- the types of electronic communication, such as email, pager, smartphone, digital bracelet, electronic medical record (EMR), electronic health record, and patient portal (e.g., Healow)
- the types of verbal communication, such as meetings, phone calls, and one-on-one verbal exchange
- the importance of following the chain of command in communication, as appropriate to the situation.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What types of information are communicated in the healthcare environment via communication boards? In e-mail? In patient charts?
- What types of information are communicated in the healthcare environment via meetings? Via phone calls or pagers? Via one-on-one verbal exchange?
- Why is it essential to follow the chain of command when communicating within the healthcare environment?