In the context of hospital organizations, effective communication is crucial at both the strategic and operational levels for all those involved in hospital care. This article examines the current landscape of research on the application and impact of communication in hospitals, covering interactions between healthcare professionals and/or patients and their families. Bibliometric methods are employed to present the current structure of academic research from 2012 to 2022, based on WoS. The study yielded 295 articles, highlighting a relatively nascent field. Collaborative networks show limited synergy between institutions and countries, which may pose a risk of research bias. The overall objective is to provide researchers with an overview of research directions as a valuable source of knowledge to shape new avenues of research for business and policy strategies to improve patient safety.