• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Hand-off tips

Accreditation Connection, February 24, 2006

The following are specific strategies on how to communicate at the time of a handoff: 

1. Face-to-face verbal handoffs. In this current technology age, there has been an interest in the use of various modes of communication (such as cassette tapes, email, and faxes) to facilitate faster handoffs. Although technology can be used as an excellent adjunct to handoffs, (e.g. by improving the standardization of the handoff via templates), relying on methods that result in a passive one-way handoff makes you prone to error.

2. Two-way questioning. The period of the handoff should be interactive, with both the outgoing person and the incoming person initiating discussion. In particular, both parties should have the opportunity to ask questions, cross-check and verify plans.

3. Limit interruptions. This includes avoiding initiation of any tasks during the handoff. The handoff should be treated as a briefing or a time-out: If the individual giving the report is midway through an important task, delay the handoff until that task is complete.

4. Emphasize the use of read-backs for critical information during handoffs. Read-backs help ensure that active listening has occurred and that the receiver has received the information accurately. Certainly, handoffs are a critical way to ensure that information is delivered accurately.        

Source: The JCAHO 2006 National Patient Safety Goals: Successful Strategies for Compliance (published by HCPro, Inc.)       

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive