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doi:10.1378/chest.08-0914
(Chest. 2008; 134:158-162)
© 2008 American College of Chest Physicians
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Related Content
Right arrowRelated Editorial

Improving Handoff Communications in Critical Care*

Utilizing Simulation-Based Training Toward Process Improvement in Managing Patient Risk

Haim Berkenstadt, MD; Yael Haviv, MD; Atalia Tuval, MSc; Yael Shemesh, RN; Alexander Megrill, MD; Amir Perry, MSc; Orit Rubin, PhD and Amitai Ziv, MD

* From the Israel Center for Medical Simulation (Dr. Berkenstadt, Megrill, Rubin, and Ziv), Department of Internal Medicine A (Dr. Haviv and Ms. Shemesh), Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Organizational Behavior Program (Ms. Tuval), the Faculty of Management, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; the Industrial Engineering and Management Department (Mr. Perry), Ben Gurion University, Beer-Sheba, Israel; and the National Institution for Testing and Evaluation (Dr. Rubin), Jerusalem, Israel.

Correspondence to: Haim Berkenstadt, MD, The Israel Center for Medical Simulation, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; e-mail: berken{at}netvision.net.il

Abstract

Background: A patient admitted to the medical step-down unit experienced severe hypoglycemia due to an infusion of a higher-than-ordered insulin dose. The event could have been prevented if the insulin syringe pump was checked during the nursing shift handoff.

Methods: Risk management exploration included direct observations of nursing shift handoffs, which highlighted common deficiencies in the process. This led to the development and implementation of a handoff protocol and the incorporation of handoff training into a simulation-based teamwork and communication workshop. A second round of observations took place 6 to 8 weeks following training.

Results: The intervention demonstrated an increase in the incidence of nurses communicating crucial information during handoffs, including patient name, events that had occurred during the previous shift, and treatment goals for the next shift. However, there was no change in the incidence of checking the monitor alarms and the mechanical ventilator.

Conclusions: Simulation-based training can be incorporated into the risk management process and can contribute to patient safety practice.

Key Words: miscellaneous • practice • training in internal medicine


Related Editorial

The Patient Handoff: Medicine’s Formula One Moment
William Dunn and Joseph G. Murphy
Chest 2008 134: 9-12. [Full Text] [PDF]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 ChestHome page
W. Dunn and J. G. Murphy
The Patient Handoff: Medicine's Formula One Moment
Chest, July 1, 2008; 134(1): 9 - 12.
[Full Text] [PDF]


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