Answer:
(a) Horizontal communication is when information flows from one person to another in the same level of organization, without anyone superior or inferior to the other.
(b) InterMountain Healthcare used horizontal communication to make the information transparent among its employees and thus, allowing them to unitedly bring more positive results and work together.
Explanation:
(a) Horizontal communication is the form of communication that takes place within the same level of importance or position in an organization. It is contrary to the vertical form of communication wherein the information or communication takes place from top-bottom or bottom-top. While vertical communication passes information to different layers of the organization, and within different positions, horizontal communication occurs only within the same level of position, with no one superior or inferior.
(b) InterMountain Healthcare is a non-profit organization that deals in providing healthcare and medical support to the states of Idaho and Utah in the United States. And in a system like this, the form of communication used is of utmost importance, considering how significant it is to provide information in an organization like the health sector.
InterMountain Healthcare used the horizontal form of communication wherein all staffs are privy to any information they require about the patient. This makes the organization more transparent, allowing access to any information. Moreover, employees are also updated and kept in the loop about any new information regarding the patients. This manner of communication among the healthcare professionals and the other staffs allows transparency among them and thus, unitedly working to achieve their goals.
