title: Culture, communication and safety: lessons from the airline industry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Communication is a critical component of effective teamwork and both are essential elements in providing high quality of care to patients. Yet, communication is not an innate skill but a process influenced by internal (personal/cultural values) as well as external (professional roles and hierarchies) factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide illustrative cases, themes and tools for improving communication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review and consensus opinion based on extensive experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Professional autonomy should be de-emphasized. Tools such as SBAR and simulation are important in communication and teamwork.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tools designed to improve communication and safety in the aviation industry may have applicability to the pediatric intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Ethics Services, British Columbia Children's Hospital, 4500 Oak Street, Room B245, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada.
authors.forename: Lori G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: d'Agincourt-Canning
authors.forename: Niranjan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kissoon
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singal
authors.forename: Alexander F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Pitfield
mesh_terms: D001359:Aviation; D003142:Communication; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007802:Language; D010348:Patient Care Team; D061214:Patient Safety; D016544:Patient Simulation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012449:Safety