Safe Patient Hand-OffsTheresa Heindlmeyer

Ferris State University EDUC 540 Hallmark Project

Objectives

Define SBARIllustrate how having a consistent process

for communicating hand-off positively impacts patient care.

SBAR defined

SituationBackgroundAssessment Recommendation

Situation

Communication failures negatively impact patient outcomes

Associated with a high mortality rateApproximately 1300 patients die each

year as a result of a communication breakdown at the point of hand-off

Background

“Communication is 80% of all problems”Three primary areas of communication

failures◦Culture◦Environment◦Structural

Assessment

Healthcare workers are not using a consistent / standard process

Hand-offs are considered a high risk, high frequency communication process that have a direct impact on patient safety

Most processes do not necessarily allow for questions to be asked and answered

Recommendation

Use the SBAR communication tool This will enhance patient safety and

positively impact patient outcomes

Video Vignette

Watch the Videos uploaded to my website and consider what was done well, what could be done better, and what would you do differently next time.

Keep the relay for safe patient care going