Information handoff and outcomes of critically ill patients transferred between hospitals.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Patients transferred between hospitals are at high risk of adverse events and mortality. This study aims to identify which components of the transfer handoff process are important predictors of adverse events and mortality.

Materials and methods

We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 335 consecutive patient transfers to 3 intensive care units at an academic tertiary referral center. We assessed the relationship between handoff documentation completeness and patient outcomes. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included adverse events, duplication of labor, disposition error, and length of stay.

Results

Transfer documentation was frequently absent with overall completeness of 58.3%. Adverse events occurred in 42% of p

SUBMITTER: Usher MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5096986 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature