Anesthesiology Handoff Simulation Case: A Handoff From Intensive Care Unit to Operating Room for Anesthesiology Learners

Abstract

Introduction:Handoffs have been shown to be a potential cause of communication failures, leading to possible inefficiencies and patient harm. We noticed that our CA-1 residents were struggling with patient handoffs and designed this simulation to improve their handoff skills. Methods: This anesthesiology-specific simulation introduced learners to the perioperative handoff process. We designed it for anesthesiology learners, including junior residents, medical students, and student nurse anesthetists. The simulation centered upon an anesthesiology resident taking care of an ICU patient and handing that patient off to another anesthesiology provider, who took the patient to the OR. We charged learners with reviewing the patient's history and hospital course and giving a complete handoff. We evaluated learners on the completeness and quality of the handoff, as well as on their performance during the session. Results: Twenty-seven learners participated in this handoff simulation. The participants reported that the simulation improved their understanding of the anesthetic implications of medical conditions and gave them a better understanding of the essential elements of a handoff. Learners also indicated that the debriefing portion of the simulation was effective in filling some of their medical knowledge gaps and improving their handoff skills. Discussion: This simulation was found to be an effective educational experience for our CA-1 and CA-3 residents, medical students, and student nurse anesthetists. Feedback was positive from all learners. As a result, this simulation will be implemented in the early learning curriculum for all of our CA-1 residents.

Development and Effectiveness of a Standardized Hand‐Off Program Using the SWITCH Tool for OR Nurses: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The group that implemented the SWITCH program experienced greater improvement in their perceptions of nursing job performance, attitude, and nursing process adoption skills compared with the control group. These results are similar to those of previous studies showing improvements in understanding of clinical situations, knowledge of key hand‐off information, and hand‐off skills after a simulated hand off 41 . However, because these are subjective perceptions rather than objective measurements, we could not confirm whether the subjective perception of improvements translates to actual improvements in job performance.…”

“…These results are similar to those of previous studies showing improve ments in understanding of clinical situations, knowledge of key hand-off information, and hand-off skills after a simulated hand off. 41 However, because these are sub jective perceptions rather than objective measurements, we could not confirm whether the subjective perception of improvements translates to actual improvements in job performance. A recent study showed that even after using a standardized bedside hand-off tool, there was no reduction in the incidence of adverse events or improved outcomes for patients.…”