NCT01130987

Implementing a Comprehensive Handoff Program to Improve Patient Safety

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 92 (actual)
• Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The investigators propose to test the hypothesis that implementation of a comprehensive handoff program (CHP) - i.e., implementation of a computerized handoff tool along with teamwork training for internal medicine residents on inpatient units at Walter Reed and Madigan Army Medical Centers - will lead to reductions in resident miscommunications / medical errors and improvements in workflow and experience on the wards.

Detailed description

Following collection of baseline data on inpatient wards at both hospitals, teamwork training will be provided, accompanied by the introduction of a new computerized handoff tool that facilitates accurate transmission of data. The effects of this combined intervention on safety and workflow will be assessed on the intervention wards at both hospitals as compared with the historical control period.

Conditions

• Medical Errors

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Computerized handoff tool	Computer program that facilitates accurate transmission of patient information between residents
BEHAVIORAL	Team training	Training in teamwork and reorganization of handoff processes to optimize transmission of information and team care

Timeline

• Start date: 2009-07-01
• Primary completion: 2010-03-01
• Completion: 2010-03-01
• First posted: 2010-05-26
• Last updated: 2014-06-18

Locations

3 sites across 1 country: United States