Improving handoff communications in critical care: utilizing simulation-based training toward process improvement in managing patient risk (July 2008)

Summary

This study, published in US journal Chest, looks at the case of a patient who experienced severe hypoglycemia due to an infusion of a higher-than-ordered insulin dose. The event could have been prevented if the insulin syringe pump was checked during the nursing shift handoff.

Risk management exploration included direct observations of nursing shift handoffs, which highlighted common deficiencies in the process. This led to the development and implementation of a handoff protocol and the incorporation of handoff training into a simulation-based teamwork and communication workshop.