With specific regard to a culture of safety, a critical component of the CNL role centers on improving effective interdisciplinary communication and coordination at the point of care. One of the biggest challenges in our complex, healthcare settings is that of effective and timely communication among multiple healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, therapists, and consultants. Without this communication care can become fragmented for the patient and family, increasing their risk of harm. An important part of the CNL role is to fill this gap by insuring that patient and family needs are not only assessed, but also consistently communicated with all members of the healthcare team so that care can be more effectively coordinated. This communication and coordination is also vitally important as patients move from setting to another within the system because gaps in care are prone to occur during these moves. This coordination of care between settings, often referred to as ‘lateral integration,’ enables the CNL to serve not only as the patient advocate/care navigator, but more importantly, as the stop-gap professional to reduce fragmentation in care that may lead to lapses in the safety of the care provided. As care-delivery-systems experts, CNLs help patients and families navigate the complex healthcare system; they advocate for both patients and families, as well healthcare providers, working within the system. The CNL is accountable for improving care delivery within the current healthcare delivery settings. More importantly, the core focus for CNL practice centers on maximizing safe, quality, evidence-based care within the complex systems that exist today.