Directly Comparing Handoff Protocols for Pediatric Hospitalists.
Handoff protocols are often developed by brainstorming and consensus, and few are directly compared. We hypothesized that a handoff protocol (Flex 11) developed using a rigorous methodology would be more favorable in terms of clinicians' attitudes, behaviors, cognitions, or time-on-task when performing handoffs compared with a prevalent protocol (Situation Background Assessment Recommendation [SBAR]).



Using a between-groups, randomized control trial design (Flex 11 versus SBAR) during a pilot study in a simulated environment, 20 clinicians (13 attending physicians and 7 residents) received 3 patient handoffs from a standardized physician, managed the patients, and handed off the patients to the same standardized physician. Participants completed surveys assessing their attitudes and cognitions, and behaviors and handoff duration were assessed through observations.



All data were analyzed using independent samples t tests. For attitudes, "ease of use" ratings were lower for SBAR participants than Flex 11 participants (P < .01), and "being helpful" ratings were lower for SBAR participants than Flex 11 participants (P = .02). For behaviors, results indicate no significant difference in the information acquired between the SBAR and Flex 11 protocols. However, SBAR participants gave significantly less information than Flex 11 participants (P < .01). For cognitions, SBAR and Flex 11 participants reported similar workload except for frustration. For handoff duration, there were no significant differences between the protocols (P = .36).



The results suggest that Flex 11 is an efficient, beneficial tool in a simulated environment with pediatric clinicians. Future studies should evaluate this protocol in the inpatient setting.
Department of Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida; elizabeth.lazzara@erau.edu.
Elizabeth H
EH
Lazzara
Division of Hospital Medicine, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri.
Robert
R
Riss
Department of Psychology, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas; and.
Brady
B
Patzer
Department of Psychology, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas; and.
Dustin C
DC
Smith
Division of Hospital Medicine, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri.
Y Raymond
YR
Chan
Department of Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Joseph R
JR
Keebler
Human Factors Collaborative, and.
Sarah D
SD
Fouquet
Department of Psychology, San Jose State University, San Jose, California.
Evan M
EM
Palmer
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making / Q000379:methods; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D020445:Hospitalists / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D062209:Patient Handoff / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration; D000069341:Transitional Care / Q000592:standards*