Communication is considered a domain within several frameworks for nursing education, practice, and research. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), communication is an essential component of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice, especially as it relates to an interdisciplinary approach to care.3 For the perioperative RN, communication is a required competency that facilitates patient care within the perioperative environment and during the transfer of care. In addition, communication and transfer of care are major topics of the CNOR® certification examination.4
Understanding effective versus problematic communication can aid perioperative nurses in performing successful transfers of care. The following discussion promotes awareness of the issues and desired outcomes involved with health care communication.