Improving Patient Safety and Satisfaction With Standardized Bedside Handoff and Walking Rounds

In 2009, the Joint Commission identified a standardized approach to handoff communication as a patient safety goal to reduce communication errors. Evidence suggests that a structured handoff report, combined with active patient participation, reduces communication errors and promotes patient safety. Research shows that bedside handoff increases nurses’ accountability by visualizing the patient and exchanging information at the point of care. Based on recommendations from the Joint Commission, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and broader research literature, a standardized approach to bedside handoff and walking rounds was implemented on an inpatient surgical oncology unit.

At a Glance

• A standardized handoff communication tool is recognized as a Joint Commission patient safety goal to reduce communication errors and improve patient safety.
• The benefits of patient safety and satisfaction outweigh the barriers to implementing a bedside handoff report.
• A standardized, nurse-driven, electronic report should guide transfer of information during bedside handoff.