Meta-analyses of the effects of standardized handoff protocols on patient, provider, and organizational outcomes.

Keebler JR, Lazzara EH, Patzer BS, et al. Hum Factors. 2016;58:1187-1205.

This meta-analysis of handoff protocols found that standardizing handoffs has led to improvements in amount of information passed on, patient outcomes, and provider satisfaction. Although the authors caution that structured handoffs can take longer than usual handoff practices and that errors of omission can persist, they conclude that handoff protocols enhance patient safety across multiple care settings.

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