Hand-off communication does affect patient safety.
When there is a cacophony of activity happening all at once, it is difficult to find the time for proper hand-offs and the communication that accompanies the hand-off. The patient is very often hustled from one department to another and from one healthcare professional to another-this in spite of everyone's best efforts to keep the patient's "transitions smooth" without any interruptions, catastrophes, or other unbidden woe. This article will focus on the need for hand-off communications that are methodical yet flexible and that promote patient safety.
Catalano
Kathleen
K
Perot Systems' Clinical Solutions Center 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75075, USA. kathireliv@yahoo.com
D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*