Table 3

Causes of information transfer and communication failures

CausesNo. of subjects who said thisNo. of times

  • Task and technology factors

    • Primitive forms of information transfer (ie, paper medical records, paper investigation forms etc)

    • Inadequate mode of communication

    • Lack of protocol

13 (S=6, A=3, N=4)16

  • Team factors

    • Hierarchical obstruction to flow of information

    • Poor leadership

6 (S=3, A=2, N=1)6

  • Individual factors

    • Memory lapses

    • Inexperienced staff

    • Nurses not empowered to play an active role

    • Different competencies between junior doctors

13 (S=5, A=3, N=5)17

  • Work environment factors

    • High workload/inadequate staff

    • Lack of administrative support

    • Rapid turnover of healthcare professionals

14 (S=6, A=4, N=4)17

  • Organisational factors

    • Lack of specialist nurses

    • Too many layers in the system

11 (S=4, A=4, N=3)17

  • A, anaesthetists; N, nurses; S, surgeons.