Handoff Communication: Using Failure Modes and Effects Analysis to Improve the Transition in Care Process.

The article discusses a study which utilized failure modes and effects analysis to evaluate handoff through a risk priority scoring process. The electronic medical record was used to standardize the handoff tool in situation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR) format for nurses and patient care technicians. The study found notable gains in patient satisfaction and nurse-sensitive outcomes before and after implementation of the process change.