Implementing a Comprehensive Handoff Program to Improve Patient Safety

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Medical Errors
• Interventions: Other: Computerized handoff tool; Behavioral: Team training

• Registration Number: NCT01130987
• Lead Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital

Brief Summary

The investigators propose to test the hypothesis that implementation of a comprehensive handoff program (CHP) - i.e., implementation of a computerized handoff tool along with teamwork training for internal medicine residents on inpatient units at Walter Reed and Madigan Army Medical Centers - will lead to reductions in resident miscommunications / medical errors and improvements in workflow and experience on the wards.

Detailed Description

Following collection of baseline data on inpatient wards at both hospitals, teamwork training will be provided, accompanied by the introduction of a new computerized handoff tool that facilitates accurate transmission of data. The effects of this combined intervention on safety and workflow will be assessed on the intervention wards at both hospitals as compared with the historical control period.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-07
• Study First Submitted: 2010-01-12
• Primary Completion: 2010-03
• Study Completion: 2010-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-05-25
• Study First Posted: 2010-05-26
• Status Verified: 2014-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-06-17
• Last Update Posted: 2014-06-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 92

Inclusion Criteria

• all internal medicine residents completing rotations through intervention units during data collection periods

Exclusion Criteria

• none

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Comprehensive Handoff Program	Computerized handoff tool	Introduction of Computerized tool plus team training
Comprehensive Handoff Program	Team training	Introduction of Computerized tool plus team training

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Rates of resident communication and total medical errors	July 2010

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Rates of all medical errors	July 2010
Resident care experience	July 2010
Rates of verbal miscommunications	July 2010
Rates of written miscommunications	July 2010
Resident workflow, especially time spent updating the signout; time spent at bedside; time spent at computer	July 2010

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Brigham and Women's Hospital; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Madigan Army Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Tacoma, Washington, United States

Walter Reed Army Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Bethesda, Maryland, United States