Implementation of the I-PASS handoff to improve provider-to-provider handoff communication

Provider handoff communication is essential to the continuity of care and safety of patients. The illness severity, patient information, action list, situational awareness and contingency plans, and synthesis (I-PASS) tool is an evidence-based resource that has been effective in handoffs between providers in a variety of settings. The tool was selected to improve provide communication in efforts to reduce surgical interventions and procedures in a gastroenterology inpatient setting.

In an inpatient gastroenterology unit, there was no standardized handoff in place between gastroenterologist and nurse practitioners (NPs). Therefore, there were gaps in patient information, which would further delay procedures.

Using a plan-do-study-act framework, a quality improvement project was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of I-PASS handoff implementation among NPs serving in a busy inpatient gastrointestinal setting.

The standardized I-PASS handoff was implemented between gastroenterologist and NPs in an inpatient gastroenterology setting in an effort to reduce same-day cancellations of gastroenterology procedures.

More than half (60%) fully adopted the standardized I-PASS handoff tool. Some seasoned providers resisted adopting a new standardized handoff. Monthly gastroenterology procedural cancellation rates steadily declined after the implementation of the standardized handoff tool.

Standardized provider handoff tools are effective in reducing communication errors and improving health care efficiency. The I-PASS tool is a useful handoff tool for inpatient gastroenterology teams and should be considered for implementation among other health delivery teams that care for complex patients and those that use resources such as a surgical suite or procedural laboratory.