Hospitalist handoffs: a systematic review and task force recommendations

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Communication

Background:

• Hospitalist handoffs are critical but vulnerable periods for patient safety.
• Effective communication during patient transitions is essential for quality care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop evidence-based recommendations for hospitalist handoffs.
• To improve patient safety and care continuity during shift and service changes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of controlled studies on in-hospital handoffs (n=10).
• Inclusion of data from PubMed, AHRQ Patient Safety Network, and expert opinion.
• Abstraction of studies for design, setting, outcomes, and relevance to hospitalists.

Main Results:

• No studies specifically on hospitalist handoffs, but related literature supports structured verbal and written handoffs.
• Technology solutions linked to fewer adverse events and better provider identification.
• Effective verbal handoffs focus on critically ill patients, required actions, and minimize interruptions.

Conclusions:

• The systematic review provides a foundation for improving hospitalist handoffs.
• Recommendations are endorsed by the Society of Hospital Medicine and expert consultants.