Implementing standardized patient handoff procedures for interdepartmental transports between inpatient and OR

Abstract

One of the most vulnerable areas patient care is during patient handoffs and transfers, and The Joint Commission reported that communication failures are the leading contributing factor in medical errors that result in severe harm. Standardizing handoff communication formats can reduce errors and patient harm. The use of one mnemonic handoff system, IPASS, has demonstrated a 30% reduction in preventable patient harm and emerged as a best practice. This quality improvement project adapted the IPASS for patient transfers between the operational room (OR) and inpatient care units. Project leaders have collaborated with OR staff to successfully revise the method in respect to the details of inpatient to OR handoffs. Sustainment of IPASS use will be enforced by OR project collaborators conducting direct observations of their peers delivering handoffs and provide immediate feedback of handoff performance. Using a validated data collection tool, staff will document observed handoff performances and these data will inform continuous improvement efforts. Development of IPASS for OR to inpatient unit handoffs is nearing completion, and data from other interdepartmental handoffs that have been using IPASS will be analyzed to visualize how IPASS data will be similar for this new setting.