Evaluation of patient handoff methods on an inpatient teaching service.
Year: 2012
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The patient handoff process can be a highly variable and unstructured period at risk for communication errors. The morning sign-in process used by resident physicians at teaching hospitals typically involves less rigorous handoff protocols than the resident evening sign-out process. Little research has been conducted on best practices for handoffs during morning sign-in exchanges between resident physicians. Research must evaluate optimal protocols for the resident morning sign-in process. METHODS: Three morning handoff protocols consisting of written, electronic, and face-to-face methods were implemented over 3 study phases during an academic year. Study participants included all interns covering the internal medicine inpatient teaching service at a tertiary hospital. Study measures entailed intern survey-based interviews analyzed for failures in handoff protocols with or without missed pertinent information. Descriptive and comparative analyses examined study phase differences. RESULTS: A scheduled face-to-face handoff process had the fewest protocol deviations and demonstrated best communication of essential patient care information between cross-covering teams compared to written and electronic sign-in protocols. CONCLUSION: Intern patient handoffs were more reliable when the sign-in protocol included scheduled face-to-face meetings. This method provided the best communication of patient care information and allowed for open exchanges of information.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Institution: University of Iowa
Language: English
Subfield: Leadership and Management
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2146795187