Improving Effective Communication within the Neonatal Interdisciplinary Team: A Project Design

Purpose:

The purpose of this work is to describe the process for developing a comprehensive approach to improve effective communication within the neonatal interdisciplinary team using evidence-based strategies. 

Methods:

PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase and manual searching were used to search for strategies for improving effective communication between members of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) interdisciplinary team. Key terms utilized:

• Interdisciplinary communication
• Interprofessional relation
• Communication
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit OR “NICU”
• Intensive care Unit OR “ICU”

The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model and Guidelines (JHEBP) were used in the evaluation of articles. Two reviewers independently evaluated all full-text articles using the JHEBP Guidelines. A third reviewer evaluated any discrepancies between the two reviewers on the article evaluation.

Strategies from this systematic review were then used to create a comprehensive plan to improve interprofessional communication within the neonatal team. Processes for implementing each of these strategies were discussed amongst the NICU leadership team and implemented in the clinical setting.

Results:

Key themes emerging from the evidence:

• Poor communication increases risks
• Need to improve communication is imperative
• Perception impacts the understanding of team member’s role & value

Strategies emerging from the evidence:

• Establish leadership collaborative advisory board
• Standardized patient care rounds
• Team needs skills building

These three emerging strategies were incorporated into a plan to improve interprofesssional communication in the NICU clinical setting. 

Conclusion:

Implementing evidence-based strategies to improve communication within the NICU interdisciplinary team can comprehensively address the problem of ineffective communication.