Safe Patient Handoff

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A significant number of medical errors rises in a process of patient handoff and results in less than optimal care, patient harm, and even death. Pesanka et al. (2009) described an initiative which focuses on standardization of the physical and informational handoff called “Ticket to Ride” during hospital transport ticket to ride included pretransport assessment of patient and transportation checklist by sending unit, transporter, receiving unit, patient participation and message of safe patient transport explained to the patient (Pensanka et al., 2009). It was tested at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian hospital. Outcome included increased compliance with transport documentation, Patient safety and comfort needs were …show more content…
Welsh, Flanagan, and Ebright (2010) examined two methods to nursing end-of-shift reports taped and written to discover pertinent factors limiting and facilitating such handoffs. Twenty nurses were interviewed and asked the existing reporting process, the components that helped the limitations, and perceptions for improvement. Welsh, Flanagan, and Ebright (2010) revealed through analysis that insufficient patient related information, inconsistent quality, less opportunity to inquire regarding any questions, inadequate time to develop reports, malfunctioned equipment, and interruptions were found as factors responsible for poor patient handoff. Nurses mentioned that pertinent contents of patient information in end-of-shift reports need to be unit specific. They also said effective end-of-shift report helped to plan their shift to identify patient’s critical attention, reduced time to review patient’s charts to find information, to prioritize tasks, and it allows them to spend more time and interact with patients. Welsh, Flanagan, and Ebright (2010) concluded end-of-shifts must be organized, unit specific, relevant to enhance quality, and promote continuity of care and safety. Process of giving report is a skill that needs practice, training, evaluation, and …show more content…
It also allows patients and their families to be involved and give feedback as well as missing information to plan of care for continuity of care. Maxon, Derby, Wrobleski, and Foss (2012) did a study to determine bedside nurse-to-nurse handoff enhances staff satisfaction with accountability and communication as well as patient satisfaction with involvement in plan of care and increases perception of staff teamwork. A sample of 60 patients, 30 before and 30 after, the practice change was enrolled. All staff had given the opportunity to participate self-designed surveys were given to staff and patients before and after practice change. Out of total 60 nurses, only 15 nurses completed pre and post survey. Most of the staff was satisfied after change of current practice of handoff use of bedside pt. handoff increased staff accountability, patient satisfaction and safety, and IV medication reconciliation by two persons (Mason, Derby, Wrobleski, & Foss, 2012). Bedside shift handoff increases communication among patient/family, nurses, physicians, and other health care personnel to enhance and encourage culture of patient safety and

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