title: Transfer-of-Care Communication: Nursing Best Practices.
abstract: The successful and safe transfer of the patient from one phase of care to another is contingent on optimal communication by all team members. Nurses are often in a natural leadership position to improve safe practices during hand overs. A holistic understanding of the patient allows the perioperative nurse the opportunity to identify issues and choose a nursing diagnosis based on key elements of a patient's needs and goals--information that should be relayed during patient transfers. This article reviews best practices in transfer-of-care communication to enable perioperative RNs to take an active, leading role in hand-over processes.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chard
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Makary
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004496:Education, Continuing; D009729:Nursing; D062209:Patient Handoff; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
keywords: checklists; hand over; nursing communication; time out; transfer of care