Crossed wires - getting communication right

By Corin Kelly
Friday, 04 March, 2016


This is a great example of how clear communication is so important. Sometimes what we say and what our patients hear are two different things.
Retired nurse Ann-Marie writes about her experiences in Nurses Uncut.
That morning in the 70s, the surgical list was a very important one, for an internationally renowned surgeon was visiting and would be in attendance. Everyone was on edge to make sure nothing went wrong. The Nightingale-style ward made it easy to see patients, but this visibility actually worked against us that morning. When the nurse gave the first patient his Phisohex in a medication glass and said “Take this and go and have a shower”, that’s exactly what he did, swallowed it and started to go to the shower. The four other patients in adjacent beds followed his example. Outcome, all had to be treated for ingestion of Phisohex and vomiting.
Read the full article in Nurses Uncut  - by the NSW Nurses & Midwives Association.

Related Articles

Incontinence management innovations for healthcare facilities

Incontinence management is rapidly improving courtesy of new technologies and compassionate...

Remote laundries target preventable disease in NT communities

A new community laundry has launched in Borroloola, part of a program seeking to curb preventable...

Eye care partnership looks to support First Nations optometrists

A new scholarship initiative will support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander optometrists...


  • All content Copyright © 2026 Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd