Association of face-to-face handoffs and outcomes of hospitalized internal medicine patients.
BACKGROUND
Failures in communication at the time of patient handoff have been implicated as contributing factors to preventable adverse events.


OBJECTIVE
Examine the relationship between face-to-face handoffs and the rate of patient outcomes, including adverse events.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort.


METHODS
A 1157-bed academic tertiary referral hospital.


METHODS
There were 805 adult patients admitted to general internal medicine services.


METHODS
Retrospective comparison of clinical outcomes, including the rate of adverse events, of patients whose care was transitioned with and without face-to-face handoffs.


METHODS
Rapid response team calls, code team calls, transfers to a higher level of care, death in hospital, 30-day readmission rate, length of stay, and adverse events (as identified using the Global Trigger Tool).


RESULTS
There was no significant difference with respect to the frequency of rapid response team calls, code team calls, transfers to a higher level of care, deaths in hospital, length of stay, 30-day readmission rate, or adverse events between patients whose care was transitioned with or without a face-to-face handoff.


CONCLUSIONS
Face-to-face handoff of patients admitted to general medical services at a large academic tertiary referral hospital was not associated with a significant difference in measured patient outcomes, including the rate of adverse events, compared to a non-face-to-face handoff. Additional study is needed to determine the qualities of patient handoff that optimize efficiency and safety.
Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Will M
WM
Schouten
M Caroline
MC
Burton
LaKisha D
LD
Jones
James
J
Newman
Deanne T
DT
Kashiwagi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062209:Patient Handoff / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome