I-PASS Mentored Implementation Handoff Curriculum: Implementation Guide and Resources.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Patient safety research
• Medical education and training

Background:

• Communication failures during patient handoffs are a significant cause of adverse events in healthcare.
• The I-PASS Handoff Program has demonstrated efficacy in reducing medical errors and adverse events.
• A need exists for structured guidance to facilitate the widespread adoption of the I-PASS Handoff Program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the I-PASS Mentored Implementation Guide as a resource for healthcare institutions.
• To provide a comprehensive framework for implementing the I-PASS Handoff Program at scale.
• To support the dissemination and adaptation of a proven patient handoff protocol.

Main Methods:

• The guide was developed from materials of the original I-PASS Study and Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) mentored programs.
• It offers a detailed framework covering institutional support, training, campaign development, impact measurement, and program sustainability.
• Mentorship was provided through phone calls, with the guide serving as a primary reference.

Main Results:

• Thirty-two North American sites utilized the guide within the SHM program.
• The guide was referenced for 477 hours of mentoring calls.
• Post-program surveys indicated 85% of respondents rated the guide's quality as very good/excellent, with frequent reference to curriculum and observation sections.

Conclusions:

• The I-PASS Mentored Implementation Guide is an essential tool for institutions seeking to implement the I-PASS Handoff Program.
• The guide's structure and content facilitate successful large-scale adoption of standardized patient handoffs.
• Positive user feedback highlights the guide's practical value and effectiveness in supporting implementation efforts.