Proper communication between healthcare providers is crucial for effective patient hand-offs.
Here are 8 tips to ensure high-quality handoffs, according to an infographic from The Joint Commission.
1. Determine critical information that must be communicated face-to-face and in writing.
- Standardize the tools and methods used to communicate with receivers, including forms, checklists, protocols and patient summaries.
- Don't rely on electronic or paper communications for hand-offs. If face-to-face communication is not possible, clinicians should discuss the hand-off by phone or video conference.
- If patient information is coming from various sources, combine the materials and communicate the information to the receiver all at once.
- Provide the following information to the receiver:
- Sender contact information
- An assessment of illness assessment, including severity
- A summary of events including occurrences leading up to the patient's illness or admission, hospital course through discharge, an ongoing assessment and a plan of care
- To-do action list
- Contingency plans
- Allergy list
- Code status
- Medication list
- Dated laboratory tests
- Dated vital signs
- Conduct the hand-off or sign-out through a face-to-face interaction in a designated location free from interruptions.
- Involve all team members during the hand-off, including the patient and family, if appropriate.
- Use EHR records, patient portals, medical apps and telehealth services to enhance the hand-off process.
For more information on improving hand-offs from The Joint Commission, click here.
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