Presentation
Evaluating the Safety and Quality of Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoffs
DescriptionHandoffs, i.e., care transitions, convey information, responsibility, and authority from one or a group of care providers to another. Intraoperative handoffs, which occur during surgery either due to shift changes or breaks, are high-risk, error-prone and linked with inadequate verbal communication and documentation. We explored perspectives about safety and quality of intraoperative handoffs between anesthesia providers at an academic medical center. Through an anonymous online survey, we asked participants to share their opinions on current handoff practices including teamwork, staffing/work pace, and handoffs communication. The results showed positive perceptions about teamwork, while only half of the participants were positive about staffing and work pace. We also found that opinions of participants about staffing/work pace vary based on their role. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering diverse perspectives and employing a systems-based approach to address challenges and implement effective interventions for safe, high-quality handoffs in perioperative care.
Event Type
Lecture
TimeThursday, September 12th8:50am - 9:10am MST
LocationGrand Ballroom
Health Care