Page 50 - Hospitalists - Risks When You're the Doctor in the House (Part One)

SVMIC Hospitalists - Risks When You’re the Doctor in the House

• Large volumes of information arising from a multitude of

sources; and

• Lack of standardized processes within healthcare facilities.

A considerable body of literature exists on improving handoffs

using a variety of methods and tools, including forms and
checklists, as well as team training derived from evidence-based

frameworks and an SBAR (situation, background, assessment,
and recommendation) information technology (IT) tool. An

in-depth review of these methods and systems is beyond the
scope of this course, but these tools and methods should be in

place, and the hospitalist and staff should be familiar with them
and implement them consistently.

Generally speaking, hospitalists can minimize the risks
associated with poor communication through the consistent

use of techniques and processes. Management arrangements

should be spelled out in written protocols that clearly define
the roles of the hospitalist and the admitting physician.
Standardized communication between hospitalists and

admitting physicians at admission, during hospitalization, and at

discharge can significantly reduce risk.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,

www.ahrq.gov, the handoff process should include the following:

• Interactive communications (include the patient and family
in the process)

• Limited interruptions (reduce noise, avoid competing
priorities)

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