Conformity Through Communication: A Quality Improvement Project Implementing a Standardized Handoff Checklist from Anesthesia to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Christine Grissett (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Background: The transfer of care from anesthesia providers to PACU nurses has been recognized as a high-risk handoff vulnerable to information degradation. Objectives: Introduction of a Targeted Solutions Tool (TST) a checklist used by anesthesia providers when patients transition from the operating room to the PACU to decrease callbacks for clarification by the PACU nurse. Methods: The Robins & Dai (2015) TST handoff checklist was implemented at a rural Southeastern North Carolina hospital for three months. Frequency of callbacks before and after implementation of the checklist was compared. Results: Study outcomes resulted in a 19.3% pre-intervention callback rate compared to 5.6% post-intervention (p < .0005). The ability to recall all key elements of report during handoff was (99%) when using the checklist , and (73%) without the checklist (p < .0005). The results demonstrated improved handoff satisfaction by the PACU nurse an adequacy rating of 97.3% (p < .0005). Overall , there was an increase in the report handoff time (p < .0005). Conclusions: The utilization of a TST report handoff checklist in the high-risk environment such as anesthesia to PACU has shown to reduce callbacks to anesthesia , supporting TJC's (2012) recommendations for utilizing a TST for improved handoff communication.

Additional Information

Publication

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Grissett , C. E. (2017). Conformity Through Communication: A Quality Improvement Project Implementing a Standardized Handoff Checklist from Anesthesia to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (Unpublished Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project). East Carolina University , Greenville North Carolina.

Language: English

Date: 2017

Keywords

callback, checklist, handoff, information degradation

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