title: An assessment of patient sign-outs conducted by University at Buffalo internal medicine residents.
abstract: Internal medicine residents were surveyed regarding patient sign-outs at shift change. Data were used to design and implement interventions aimed at improving sign-out quality. This quasi-experimental project incorporated the Plan, Do, Study, Act methodology. Residents completed an anonymous electronic survey regarding experiences during sign-outs. Survey questions assessed structure, process, and outcome of sign-outs. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data was performed; interventions were implemented based on survey findings. A total of 120 surveys (89% response) and 115 surveys (83% response) were completed by residents of 4 postgraduate years in response to the first (2008) and second (2009) survey requests, respectively. Approximately 79% of the respondents to the second survey indicated that postintervention sign-out systems were superior to preintervention systems. Results indicated improvement in specific areas of structure, process, and outcome. Survey-based modifications to existing sign-out systems effected measurable quality improvement in structure, process, and outcome.
authors.affiliation: University at Buffalo, NY, USA. dawheat@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wheat
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Co
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manochakian
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009518:New York; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*