Evaluating the Influence of a Standardized Bedside Handoff Process in a Medical-Surgical Unit.

BACKGROUND Patient safety is a national and global concern. In the United States, medical errors result in more than 50,000 unnecessary patient deaths annually and contribute to billions of dollars in health care costs. The purpose of this project was to evaluate a standardized bedside handoff process and its influence in a medical-surgical unit. METHOD A quality improvement project was performed in a medical-surgical unit and consisted of development, implementation, and evaluation of a standardized bedside handoff. The project included surveying nurses, a web-based educational program, and observations using the SBAR (T) competency checklist tool. Data were analyzed for trends. RESULTS Results identified an improved perception of communication among the nurses as it relates to shift report and a reduction in length of handoff time after the education intervention. CONCLUSION Continual nurse education and audits by nurse leaders are vital to the sustainment of positive outcomes. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(4):157-163.