Jones, LaKisha D.

BACKGROUNDFailures in communication at the time of patient handoff have been implicated as contributing factors to preventable adverse events.OBJECTIVEExamine the relationship between face‐to‐face handoffs and the rate of patient outcomes, including adverse events.DESIGNRetrospective cohort.SETTINGA 1157‐bed academic tertiary referral hospital.PATIENTSThere were 805 adult patients admitted to general internal medicine services.INTERVENTIONRetrospective comparison of clinical outcomes, including the rate of adverse events, of patients whose care was transitioned with and without face‐to‐face handoffs.MEASUREMENTSRapid response team calls, code team calls, transfers to a higher level of care, death in hospital, 30‐day readmission rate, length of stay, and adverse events (as identified using the Global Trigger Tool).RESULTSThere was no significant difference with respect to the frequency of rapid response team calls, code team calls, transfers to a higher level of care, deaths in hospital, length of stay, 30‐day readmission rate, or adverse events between patients whose care was transitioned with or without a face‐to‐face handoff.CONCLUSIONSFace‐to‐face handoff of patients admitted to general medical services at a large academic tertiary referral hospital was not associated with a significant difference in measured patient outcomes, including the rate of adverse events, compared to a non–face‐to‐face handoff. Additional study is needed to determine the qualities of patient handoff that optimize efficiency and safety. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:137–141. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine