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O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
Keys to Smooth Patient Handoffs
Relay the patient's condition clearly and concisely.
P
atient handoffs are those critical times when you communi-
cate essential patient information and transfer responsibility
of care. They're also opportunity for errors when nurses are
distracted, hurried or interrupted. Listen in during handoffs at your
facility to ensure they're concise, accurate and valuable. If they're not,
reinforce the importance of incorporating these elements in every
patient handoff.
• Interaction. It's not the communication of the handoff-giver to the
handoff-receiver that matters most; it's the communication between
them — their interaction. There must be two-way communication.
Both caregivers must be actively involved in the exchange and con-
firm that the needed information has been received and understood,
and that potential issues will be addressed during the next stage of
care.
S A F E T Y
Pegi Wasserman, RN, BSN
z YOUR TURN During handoffs, staff must focus on clearly
communicating key details about the patient's condition.