Final answer:
Breakdowns in communication attributed by the Joint Commission to patient care errors often occur during handoffs and can be mitigated using tools like SBAR protocols and electronic health records to improve information sharing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Joint Commission has identified communication breakdowns as a major contributor to patient care errors in healthcare settings. Such breakdowns can occur during handoffs between healthcare providers, when crucial information about a patient's care plan, allergies, medications, or current condition is not accurately or completely conveyed. The use of standardized handoff tools like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) protocols helps streamline communication by providing a consistent structure for sharing patient information. Electronic health records (EHRs) also play a critical role in enhancing communication by maintaining readily accessible and up-to-date patient data that can be shared among healthcare providers. Ultimately, effective communication is essential in ensuring patient safety and reducing errors in patient care.