title: Handoffs in care--can we make them safer?
abstract: In today's complex and rapidly changing health care environments, patient harm may result if important patient information is not communicated from one health care provider to another during handoffs in care. Issues involving communication, continuity of care, and care planning are cited as a root cause in more than 80% of reported sentinel events. In light of the inherent risks associated with handoffs in care, the use of strategies that reduce the impact of human factors on effective communication and standardize the communication process is essential to ensure appropriate communication patient information and that a plan of care is continued through the process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Quality & Risk Management, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada. kim.streitenberger@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Streitenberger
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Breen-Reid
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*