Study discusses how to improve hand offs

A Joint Commission study identified characteristics associated with greater staff adherence to a standardized protocol during patient handoffs from the operating room to the intensive care unit. Published in the August issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, the study found staff were more likely to follow the standardized protocol when a patient was newly admitted to the ICU; an ICU provider was present; the handoff team was observed paying attention; and the handoff took place in a quiet environment. (Joint Commission news release, 7/25/23)