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The Joint Commission and hospitals aim to improve handoff communication

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, October 26, 2010

The Joint Commission and 10 hospitals across the country are currently working together to improve handoff communication, one of the named causes of medical errors and sentinel events.

Under the Joint Commission’s Center for Transforming Healthcare, the Hand-off Communications Project was launched in August 2009 with 10 hospitals, including Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore; Mayo Clinic Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, NY; and Partners Healthcare/Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Researchers state that 37% of all handoffs are “defective.” In addition, 21% of senders (those handing off information) are dissatisfied with the quality of the handoff, according to an October 21 press release.

Although The Joint Commission requires accredited organizations to use a standardized handoff process, there is no universal model that hospitals can look to as a best practice.

“A comprehensive approach that focuses on systems is the only way to ensure that the many caregivers upon whom patients rely are successfully communicating vital information during these transitions in care,” said The Joint Commission President Mark R. Chassin, MD, MPP, MPH, in the press release.

Under this initiative, the project focuses on the solution called SHARE:

• Standardize critical content, including patient’s history with an emphasis on key information
• Hardwire within your system by using standardized forms, methods, and checklists
• Allow opportunity to ask questions
• Reinforce quality and measurement by holding staff members accountable and using appropriate data
• Educate and coach by training staff about what a successful handoff is

Using SHARE, the project has reduced defective handoffs by 52%, according to the press release.

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