These are some of the primary changes made to improve the safety of patient handoffs at Akron (OH) Children’s Hospital:
Whenever possible, unit nurses speak directly to the oncoming shift nurses rather than leaving voicemail messages or written notes. The personal communication improves safety by allowing the oncoming nurses to ask questions or pick up on nonverbal cues, says pediatric critical care doctor Michael Bigham, MD. The discussion takes place in the patient’s room to reduce distractions and improve focus on that particular patient.
The hospital developed a "ticket to ride," a standardized form for staff to use when handing off patients to radiology or other departments for testing or diagnostic procedures. The form provides basic information about the patient and his or her condition, along with contact information for the unit where the patient is admitted. The "ticket to ride" helps diagnostic staff know what to do if something goes wrong during the tests and how to manage problems.
Emergency department staff members now accompany patients up to the intensive care unit when they are transferred and perform the handoffs face to face with staff members there. Previously many of those handoffs were made over the phone.
These are some of the primary changes made to improve the safety of patient handoffs at Akron (OH) Children’s Hospital:
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