Patient Safety During Transitions: Identifying and Mitigating Risks.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Transitions of care (e.g., intrahospital handoffs, hospital discharge) are high-risk periods for adverse events.
• Communication lapses and care fragmentation are primary causes of medication errors and diagnostic delays during these transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence-based strategies and emerging technologies for improving patient safety during transitions of care.
• To highlight the importance of patient and family engagement and addressing social determinants of health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of evidence-based strategies for care transitions.
• Exploration of emerging technologies (AI, remote monitoring) in healthcare.
• Analysis of patient-centered approaches and social determinants of health.

Main Results:

• Multidisciplinary team collaboration, standardized handoff protocols, and EHR tools mitigate risks.
• Emerging technologies offer personalized care and real-time support.
• Patient/family engagement and addressing social determinants are crucial for safer transitions.

Conclusions:

• Implementing evidence-based strategies and leveraging technology can significantly improve patient safety during care transitions.
• Patient-centered approaches, including family engagement and social determinant consideration, are vital for reducing preventable harm.