standardizing nurse handoff report patient safety

by Prof. Zula Romaguera 9 min read

Handoffs: Implications for Nurses - Patient Safety and …

14 hours ago A qualitative study focused on describing the perceptions of patients who were present during a bedside report found some patients are in favor of bedside handoff, while others are not. 52 Patients also expressed concern regarding the jargon used by nurses. 52 One patient noted that including the patient in the handoff added another level of safety as erroneous data could be … >> Go To The Portal


Standardization of handoff reporting has been proven to increase the quality of information being transferred and improve patient safety. Poor quality handoff between providers increases morbidity and mortality, hospital length of stay, healthcare costs, as well as

In 2009, the Joint Commission identified a standardized approach to handoff communication as a patient safety goal to reduce communication errors. Evidence suggests that a structured handoff report, combined with active patient participation, reduces communication errors and promotes patient safety.

Full Answer

What is handoff report form in clinical nursing education?

Standardized handoff report form in clinical nursing education: An educational tool for patient safety and quality of care Effective change-of-shift handoff communication is a core competency in the generalist education of nurses.

How can we improve handoffs for patient safety?

Of over 3548 events, most of the ROOT CAUSES can be addressed by improved teamwork: Improved communication, leadership, adherence to protocols and policies, sharing information, and moving toward a culture of quality and safety. Author Linda Groah Created Date 10/05/2006 14:17:47 Title Standardizing Handoffs for Patient Safety

How effective is the handoff communication tool in nursing?

First, the team reviewed the overall effectiveness of the tool, including use, nursing overtime data, number of adverse events related to handoff communication, and quality data. The results indicated that the tool effectively improved each factor. The second outcome measure was engagement.

How does bedside handoff increase nurses'accountability?

Research shows that bedside handoff increases nurses' accountability by visualizing the patient and exchanging information at the point of care.

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What should a nursing handoff report include?

Nurses complete their handoff report with evaluations of the patient's response to nursing and medical interventions, the effectiveness of the patient-care plan, and the goals and outcomes for the patient. This category also includes evaluation of the patient's response to care, such as progress toward goals.

What is a standardized handoff?

Ideally, handoff would be a streamlined process between the outgoing and oncoming nurses at the patient's bedside with limited interruptions, individualized care plan communication, and patient and family inclusion. Active communication between nurses is essential to ensure a comprehensive handoff.

What is the purpose of using a standardized tool for a hand off report?

Effective change-of-shift handoff communication is a core competency in the generalist education of nurses. The use of a standardized handoff tool that fosters higher order thinking and clinical reasoning is fundamental in clinical education and nursing practice (AACN, 2008).

What are the 5 factors to be crucial to patient safety?

5 Factors that can help improve patient safety in hospitalsUse monitoring technology. ... Make sure patients understand their treatment. ... Verify all medical procedures. ... Follow proper handwashing procedures. ... Promote a team atmosphere.

How do I improve my handoff report?

How to Improve Hand Off Communication In Nursing for Better Patient HandoffsIdentify the Various Types of Handoffs Your Organization Makes, and the Requirements for Each One. ... Establish Best Practices Around Patient Handoffs. ... Create and Communicate Handoff Protocols that Meet Patient, Provider, and Employee Needs.More items...•

What should be included in patient handoff?

ABSTRACT: Handoff communication, which includes up-to-date information regarding patient care, treatment and service, condition, and any recent or anticipated changes, should be interactive to allow for discussion between those who give and receive patient information.

What does the Joint Commission require in its standardized approach to hand off communication?

The Joint Commission requires all health care providers to "implement a standardized approach to handoff communications including an opportunity to ask and respond to questions" (2006 National Patient Safety Goal 2E).

How does SBAR improve patient safety?

[7] The main purpose of SBAR technique is to improve the effectiveness of communication through standardization of communication process. Published evidence shows that SBAR provides effective and efficient communication, thereby promoting better patient outcomes.

What does the SBAR approach to patient safety encourage?

The SBAR approach to patient safety encourages: Consistency in assessment and practices. As a manager in a new nursing home, where might you consult for guidance and evidence to support the development of safe patient practices?

How do nurses ensure patient safety?

Educating patients on their post-discharge care is a simple, yet effective, example of how nurses can improve patient safety. By working with patients to ensure they have a thorough understanding of their medical condition and self-care routine before they are discharged, nurses help facilitate a smooth recovery.

How is patient safety impacted by standardizing methods?

From a healthcare manager's perspective, standardization helps foster an environment of quality patient care. Standardization, especially in healthcare, minimizes the risk of errors, increases patient safety, and can actually improve the patient experience.

What are standard safety measures?

Standard PrecautionsHand hygiene.Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear).Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette.Sharps safety (engineering and work practice controls).Safe injection practices (i.e., aseptic technique for parenteral medications).Sterile instruments and devices.More items...

What is Nebraska Medicine handoff process?

Nebraska Medicine created a project team to produce a standardized handoff tool and process . The team consisted of leadership from nursing professional practice and development, enterprise applications (electronic health record [EHR] analysts), clinical effectiveness, and clinical decision support. The team started by working to understand the negative issues related to the current handoff process. The inpatient oncology and hematology specialty care unit expressed an interest in working to improve its handoff process, so the project team engaged unit leadership and staff to help during the initial phase of the project, identifying gaps in information and processes.

How many medical errors are the result of ineffective handoff communication?

According to Wheeler, approximately 70% of serious medical errors are the result of ineffective handoff communication. Handoffs completed at the patient’s bedside—which allow for direct patient visualization and communication between caregivers—improve the process.

What is handoff communication?

Handoff is a real-time process that involves the transfer of essential patient data from one caregiver to another.

What are the effects of ineffective handoff communication?

In addition to adverse events, ineffective handoff communication also has contributed to prolonged lengths of stay, avoidable readmissions, delayed or inappropriate treatment, increased costs, inefficiencies related to rework, and care omissions. Consequently, both agencies have emphasized improving and standardizing handoff communication.

What is ISHAPED EHR?

As appropriate, the ISHAPED tool pulls patient information into the designated ISHAPED section or hyperlinks to the area in the EHR. Displaying only pertinent items reduces the time needed for staff to process and communicate information. ISHAPED is designed to serve as an information repository rather than a documentation tool. As a result, the corresponding handoff process requires that all other nursing documentation in the EHR must be completed before the handoff report.

Is handoff communication a high risk activity?

Handoff communication remains a high-risk activity . Translating processes from other safety methods, such as medication administration, to the handoff communication process will lead to more effective and safer handoff practices. Handoff should be completed separately from other nursing actions and

What is the purpose of a standardized handoff?

In 2009, the Joint Commission identified a standardized approach to handoff communication as a patient safety goal to reduce communication errors. Evidence suggests that a structured handoff report, combined with active patient participation, reduces communication errors and promotes patient safety. Research shows that bedside handoff increases ...

What is standardized approach to bedside handoff and walking rounds?

Based on recommendations from the Joint Commission, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and broader research literature, a standardized approach to bedside handoff and walking rounds was implemented on an inpatient surgical oncology unit.

What is the Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goal?

The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal also contains specific guidelines for the handoff process, many drawn from other high-risk industries : The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education also requires that residency programs maintain formal educational programs in handoffs and care transitions.

Is being cared for by a covering resident a risk factor for preventable adverse events?

One study found that being cared for by a covering resident was a risk factor for preventable adverse events; more recently, communication failures between providers have been found to be a leading cause of preventable error in studies of closed malpractice claims affecting emergency physicians and trainees.

How many nurses responded to the Qualtrics survey?

Survey data from Qualtricswas analyzed following the pre and post surveys. 215 nurses responded to the pre-survey while 120 nurses responded to the post-survey from three levels of care: PACU, ICU and Inpatient units.

What is transition in care?

Transitions in care, or clinical hand-offs, are high risk activities that require effective communication processes among all staff to maintain continuity in patient care (Manser& Foster, 2011). The transfer of essential information and the responsibility for care of the patient from one area of care to another is an integral component of healthcare communication (Friesen, White & Byers, 2008). Communication failures during hand-off can lead to adverse eventsthat are entirely preventable (Beach et al., 2012).The Joint Commission has established a requirement for standardization of this error-prone process, due to its high risk (JCAHO, 2006). Strategies to improve hand-off include standardization (including the use of a tool to ensure that essential information is always included), tailoring tools to be used for a particular hand-off (such as an inter-unit transfer), placing the information in the same order every time, and the use of technology (Reisenberg, Leistch& Cunningham, 2010).

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An Electronic Tool Helps Ensure Care Continuity and Reduces Miscommunication.

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Takeaways: 1. Using a standardized electronic handoff tool improves nurse-to-nurse communication. 2. It ensures care continuity and reduces adverse events. Although adverse events can occur anytime during hospitalization, handoff communication is often the cause of avoidable adverse events. Miscommunicati…
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Team-Based Assessment

  • Nebraska Medicine created a project team to produce a standardized handoff tool and process. The team consisted of leadership from nursing professional practice and development, enterprise applications (electronic health record [EHR] analysts), clinical effectiveness, and clinical decision support. The team started by working to understand the negative issues related to the current h…
See more on myamericannurse.com

Usability and Design

  • The ISHAPED electronic handoff tool was designed to guide nurses through pertinent patient information gathered from other parts of the EHR, such as patient demographics, medical history, nursing documentation, patient-specific risk assessments, and orders. Nurses would still be expected to use standard tools for managing labs, orders, or imaging results as designated by t…
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Implementation

  • The shared governance practice council and subcommittee served as ISHAPED champions throughout the organization. Training and education were developed using an e-learning module to introduce staff to the ISHAPED tool and set expectations for its use. An interactive feedback form embedded within the tool encouraged staff to provide real-time recommendations for impr…
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Measuring Success

  • Success was measured using three outcomes. First, the team reviewed the overall effectiveness of the tool, including use, nursing overtime data, number of adverse events related to handoff communication, and quality data. The results indicated that the tool effectively improved each factor. The second outcome measure was engagement. The team reviewed patient and family s…
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Recommendations For Practice

  • Handoff communication remains a high-risk activity. Translating processes from other safety methods, such as medication administration, to the handoff communication process will lead to more effective and safer handoff practices. Handoff should be completed separately from other nursing actions and include the patient and family to decrease medical errors and enhance com…
See more on myamericannurse.com