Risk Tip: Improving Handoff Communication

Provided by The Doctors Company

As health care providers strive to make care safer for patients, there is often a failure to communicate. In fact, lack of communication is the single most common root cause factor that leads to liability claims. Appropriate communication among physicians, nurses and all other members of the health care team is essential in preserving continuity of care for the patient.

Handoffs are interactive communications allowing the opportunity for questioning between the various team members providing care to the patient. Handoffs may occur during the time when a patient is moved from one hospital unit to another, sent for a diagnostic test or transferred to a new physician for care.

All providers can use the following tips to improve communication during handoffs:

• Allow interactive communication for questions/discussion and require repeat-back of the exchanged information.
• At a minimum, include the following during handoffs: diagnoses, current condition, recent changes in condition or treatment, anticipated changes and warning signs of changes in the patient’s condition.
• Limit interruptions during handoffs.
• Use the following questions for guidance in organizing communication during the handoff:
  •  What is important to communicate?
  • Who needs to know what information?
  •  When should communication occur?
  •  How should the information be transmitted?
  • How can I validate the communication was successful?

Effective communication is critical for the health care team, the patient and the patient’s family in order to limit risks and enhance patient safety.

For more risk management tips, articles, and information, please visit www.thedoctors.com/knowledgecenter.