title: Shift report: improving a complex process to enhance patient safety.
abstract: This article focuses on the shift change process, which is a time for communication of critical patient information. It identifies the multitude of variables that can interfere with that communication process and introduce the potential for error to occur. Human factors include the variability of staff, variability of processes, fatigue, environmental factors and the complexity of systems. The article also discusses methods to improve current processes with the intent to prevent error and improve patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: John C. Lincoln Health Network, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Maripat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burrell
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017751:Safety Management