[Importance of handoffs for patient safety]

Handoffs are defined as the transfer of mission specific information and care authority from one healthcare professional to another. Handoffs may create gaps that are especially vulnerable to errors and may have an impact on patient safety. Conceptualising handoffs that are safe gains in importance in medicine with the growing clinical complexity, the reduction of working hours, and a great amount of care fragmentation. Different strategies on the handoff procedure have been identified to improve patient safety. An institutional approach with adaptations to the specific characteristics of each medical discipline is necessary.