Changes in medical errors after implementation of a handoff program (November 2014)

Summary

Miscommunications are a leading cause of serious medical errors. Communications are particularly vulnerable during handoffs.

This study, published by The New England Journal of Medicine, examined the power of standardisation of processes to improve the reliability of the handoff. Testing a method called I-PASS, it engaged residents in a bundled set of activities that resulted in substantial error reductions without negative impact on their workflow.