Communication Practices and Patient Safety in a Resource-Constrained Hospital Setting: A Descriptive Study from the Philippines

Effective communication is a cornerstone of patient safety, yet communication failures remain a leading cause of preventable harm in hospital settings, particularly in resource-constrained environments. While standardized communication protocols are widely promoted, evidence on their routine use and associated barriers across hospital units in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. This study examined communication practices and patient safety in a public hospital setting by assessing healthcare workers’ adherence to established communication protocols, identifying perceived communication-related barriers, and analyzing communication practices across clinical and non-clinical hospital units. A descriptive quantitative design was employed in a government district hospital in the Philippines. Using total enumeration, healthcare workers from clinical and non-clinical units completed a structured self-administered questionnaire assessing adherence to communication protocols and perceived communication barriers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and weighted means. The findings showed high adherence to communication protocols related to medication safety, emergency escalation, and task-specific coordination. Pharmacy and other support units demonstrated the strongest communication performance. In contrast, interdepartmental coordination and the effective use of electronic communication tools were rated lower. All identified communication barriers, including limited training, cultural and health literacy differences, stress and burnout, and system-level constraints, were perceived at a moderate level. Overall, communication practices that are structured and embedded in routine workflows support patient safety, whereas gaps in hospital-wide coordination and digital communication remain challenges. Strengthening interdepartmental communication, optimizing electronic communication systems, and implementing continuous, patient-centered communication training are recommended to enhance patient safety in resource-constrained hospital settings.