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COPYRIGHT 2005 A Thomson Healthcare Company
Stop 'handoff' errors when patients leave the ED
(Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series on improving "handoff" communication in EDs. The new 2006 National Patient Safety Goal #2E requires implementation of a standardized approach to handoff communications, including an opportunity to ask and respond to questions. In this month's story, we cover patients being transported from the ED to other areas of the hospital, including diagnostic testing and inpatient units. Last month, we gave strategies to improve communication at change of shift.)
Patients are transported out of the ED dozens of times a day, whether for diagnostic tests or to inpatient units. This is a high-risk time for errors due to lapses in communication during patient handoffs, says Trisha Flanagan, RN, MSN, CEN, ED nurse manager at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
"Ensuring safe handoffs is a top priority in our emergency department and...
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