Implementing a warm handoff between hospital and skilled nursing facility clinicians.

Campbell Britton M, Hodshon B, Chaudhry SI. J Patient Saf. 2019;15:198-204.

This implementation study describes a new workflow of a telephone call between discharging clinician at an acute care hospital and treating physician at a skilled nursing facility to improve handoffs. Researchers report increasing implementation of this "warm handoff," tempered by concerns about clinician workload and efficiency. The authors conclude that while warm handoffs show promise, the organizational and workflow context could better support this safety strategy.

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