Inadequate communication is often cited as a factor in poor patient outcomes and adverse events. In a Blink: Awareness, Assessment, and Adapting to Patient Communication Needs, a new book from Joint Commission Resources (JCR) and authored by surgeon and leadership expert Michael S. Woods, MD, discusses the importance of effective communication among healthcare providers and between healthcare providers and patients for patient safety. Dr. Woods, who is known for his work related to the power of apology and disclosure of healthcare errors, examines the "DUN" factor-life is Dynamic, Unpredictable, and Nonlinear-and discusses how that affects human communication. In a Blink: Awareness, Assessment, and Adapting to Patient Communication Needs, explores various factors in effective communication, such as gender, culture/ethnicity, literacy, socioeconomics, time/urgency, and personality/behavior, and provides strategies to improve healthcare provider and patient communication.

This patient safety reference guide highlights critical variables that affect the ability to effectively communicate with and understand others. It also emphasizes that communication is not amenable to a formulaic approach. In a Blink: Awareness, Assessment, and Adapting to Patient Communication Needs, is available from JCR, a not-for-profit affiliate of The Joint Commission. For more information or to order the book, visit http://www.jcrinc.com.