Abstract
BackgroundOmission of patient information in perioperative communication is closely linked to adverse events. Use of checklists to standardize the handoff in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) has been shown to effectively reduce medical errors.ObjectiveOur study investigates the use of a checklist to improve quantity of data transfer during handoffs in the PACU.DesignA cross-sectional observational study.SettingPACU at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC); June 13, 2016 through July 15, 2016.Patients, other participantsWe observed the handoff reports between the nurses, PACU midlevel providers, anesthesia staff, and surgical staff.InterventionA physical checklist was provided to all anesthesia staff and recommended to adhere to the list at all observed PACU handoffs.Main outcome measureQuantity of reported handoff items during 60 pre- and 60 post-implementation of a checklist.ResultsComposite value from both surgical and anesthesia reports showed an increase in the mean report of 8.7 items from pre-implementation period to 10.9 post-implementation. Given that surgical staff reported the mean of 5.9 items pre-implementation and 5.5 items post-implementation without intervention, improvements in anesthesia staff report with intervention improved the overall handoff data transfer.ConclusionsUsing a physical 12-item checklist for PACU handoff increased overall data transfer.
Highlights
Our study investigates the use of a checklist to improve quantity of data transfer during handoffs in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU)
We observed a total of 120 PACU handoffs. 60 handoffs were each observed preimplementation and post-implementation of the checklist
Surgical staff report stayed relatively consistent at mean of 5.9 items pre and 5.5 items post-implementation periods
Summary
Use of checklists to standardize the handoff in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) has been shown to effectively reduce medical errors. Objective: Our study investigates the use of a checklist to improve quantity of data transfer during handoffs in the PACU. Other participants: We observed the handoff reports between the nurses, PACU midlevel providers, anesthesia staff, and surgical staff. Intervention: A physical checklist was provided to all anesthesia staff and recommended to adhere to the list at all observed PACU handoffs. Given that surgical staff reported the mean of 5.9 items pre-implementation and 5.5 items postimplementation without intervention, improvements in anesthesia staff report with intervention improved the overall handoff data transfer. Conclusions: Using a physical 12-item checklist for PACU handoff increased overall data transfer
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