Discuss the importance of horizontal communication

Horizontal communication, or lateral communication, is mainly used when departments or groups of people on the same level of the organizational chart need to talk with each other. These may be two departments that are in charge of two different areas where activities overlap. For example, lateral communication often occurs between a nursing floor and the radiological department to schedule procedures. This is important because patients have several other procedures that need to be done, and therefore the nursing department needs to know when to deliver the patient, how long the test will take, and whether there are any special precautions or diets that need to be observed before the test. Horizontal communication is important in facilitating coordination. ?