title: The interdepartmental ticket (IT) factor: enhancing communication to improve quality.
abstract: This article presents the implementation and 1-year evaluation of a staff nurse-driven initiative addressing a Joint Commission patient safety imperative to improve the consistency of handoff communication. An interdepartmental ticket was developed and implemented through a planned process. The interdepartmental ticket serves as a requisite passport for providing key communication of critical information to facilitate a safe transition between medical-surgical and progressive care nursing units and specific ancillary departments.
authors.affiliation: Plaza Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Putnam
authors.forename: Glenn H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Raup
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003142:Communication; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D061214:Patient Safety; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses'; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*