Clarifying questions probe for understanding and can be asked by the Sender or by the Receiver.
Ask one to two clarifying questions:
- In all high-risk situations
- When information is incomplete
- When information is not clear
Asking clarifying questions can reduce the risk of making an error by 2 ½ times!
Example:
Use the safety phrase: “Let me ask a clarifying question…”
Here is an example of Clarifying Questions
Facilities Services receives a call from a nurse about an elevator that is broken. The nurse does not share where the broken elevator is located.
- Facilities Services: “Let me ask a clarifying question. In which wing of the hospital is the broken elevator?”