TY - JOUR
T1 - Holistic strategy for promoting effective handoffs
AU - Keebler, Joseph Roland
AU - Lazzara, Elizabeth
AU - Griggs, Andrew
AU - Tannenbaum, Scott
AU - Fernandez, Rosemarie
AU - Greilich, Philip
AU - Salas, Eduardo
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was partially supported by the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA), which is funded by the National Institutes of Health (Clinical and Translational Award UL1 TR003167) from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Rice University is a partner on this grant. This work was also partially funded by the University of Texas Southwestern Office of Medical TeamFIRST Quality Enhancement Plan (no award grant number).
Publisher Copyright:
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
PY - 2023/6/1
Y1 - 2023/6/1
N2 - Background Handoffs are ubiquitous in modern healthcare practice, and they can be a point of resilience and care continuity. However, they are prone to a variety of issues. Handoffs are linked to 80% of serious medical errors and are implicated in one of three malpractice suits. Furthermore, poorly performed handoffs can lead to information loss, duplication of efforts, diagnosis changes and increased mortality. Methods This article proposes a holistic approach for healthcare organisations to achieve effective handoffs within their units and departments. Results We examine the organisational considerations (ie, the facets controlled by higher-level leadership) and local drivers (ie, the aspects controlled by the individuals working in the units and providing patient care). Conclusion We propose advice for leaders to best enact the processes and cultural change necessary to see positive outcomes associated with handoffs and care transitions within their units and hospitals.
AB - Background Handoffs are ubiquitous in modern healthcare practice, and they can be a point of resilience and care continuity. However, they are prone to a variety of issues. Handoffs are linked to 80% of serious medical errors and are implicated in one of three malpractice suits. Furthermore, poorly performed handoffs can lead to information loss, duplication of efforts, diagnosis changes and increased mortality. Methods This article proposes a holistic approach for healthcare organisations to achieve effective handoffs within their units and departments. Results We examine the organisational considerations (ie, the facets controlled by higher-level leadership) and local drivers (ie, the aspects controlled by the individuals working in the units and providing patient care). Conclusion We propose advice for leaders to best enact the processes and cultural change necessary to see positive outcomes associated with handoffs and care transitions within their units and hospitals.
KW - communication
KW - improvement
KW - organisational effectiveness
KW - standardisation
KW - strategy
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U2 - 10.1136/leader-2022-000639
DO - 10.1136/leader-2022-000639
M3 - Article
C2 - 37200171
AN - SCOPUS:85164064059
SN - 2398-631X
VL - 7
SP - 91
EP - 95
JO - BMJ Leader
JF - BMJ Leader
IS - 2
ER -