title: An integrative review of patient safety in studies on the care and safety of patients with communication disabilities in hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the research literature on the experiences of patients with communication disabilities in hospital according to the Generic Model of patient safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2014 and 2015, we searched four scientific databases for studies with an aim or result relevant to safety of hospital patients with communication disabilities. The review included 27 studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A range of adverse event types were outlined in qualitative research. Little detail was provided about contributing or protective factors for safety incidents in hospital for these patients or the impact of the incidents on the patient or organisations involved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research addressing the safety of patients with communication disabilities is needed. Sufficient detail is required to identify the nature, timing, and detection of incidents; factors that contribute to or prevent adverse events; and detail the impact of the adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to provide safe and effective care to people with communication disabilities in hospital, a priority for health and disability services must be the design and evaluation of ecologically appropriate and evidence-based interventions to improve patient care, communication, and reduce the risk of costly and harmful patient safety incidents.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Art, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: Bronwyn.Hemsley@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hemsley
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute for Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, La Trobe University, Australia.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Art, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rollo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education and Art, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balandin
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D061214:Patient Safety; D017751:Safety Management