CanadiEM - By Richard Tang - May 12, 2020
...Handovers are well-known to be a potential source of miscommunication that can ultimately lead to medical errors and adverse patient outcomes. Learning to effectively hand over patients is an important skill for both junior residents and medical students who are expected to attend and, on occasion, hand over patients directly to the incoming ED physician.
Here are some tips for effectively handing over patients in the ED:
- Be familiar with the local hospital/physician group policy on handovers
- Hand over in a safe and quiet area with minimal interruptions/distractions
- Utilize a consistent approach to delivering handovers
- Provide a clear diagnostic and dispositional algorithm for patients still undergoing workup
- Tie up any loose ends for the incoming physician"