title: Evaluation of patient handoff methods on an inpatient teaching service.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The patient handoff process can be a highly variable and unstructured period at risk for communication errors. The morning sign-in process used by resident physicians at teaching hospitals typically involves less rigorous handoff protocols than the resident evening sign-out process. Little research has been conducted on best practices for handoffs during morning sign-in exchanges between resident physicians. Research must evaluate optimal protocols for the resident morning sign-in process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three morning handoff protocols consisting of written, electronic, and face-to-face methods were implemented over 3 study phases during an academic year. Study participants included all interns covering the internal medicine inpatient teaching service at a tertiary hospital. Study measures entailed intern survey-based interviews analyzed for failures in handoff protocols with or without missed pertinent information. Descriptive and comparative analyses examined study phase differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A scheduled face-to-face handoff process had the fewest protocol deviations and demonstrated best communication of essential patient care information between cross-covering teams compared to written and electronic sign-in protocols.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intern patient handoffs were more reliable when the sign-in protocol included scheduled face-to-face meetings. This method provided the best communication of patient care information and allowed for open exchanges of information.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa-Des Moines Internal Medicine Residency Program, Des Moines, IA.
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Hayden L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A Matthew
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Downen
authors.forename: W John
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Yost