Handoffs and Transitions Learning Network - Maryland Patient Safety Center

MPSC Handoffs and Transitions Learning Network

Hospitals in our region have built a strong improvement infrastructure in Intensive Care Units, Emergency Departments, Operating Rooms and now Labor and Delivery Units as participants in Maryland Patient Safety Center and Delmarva Foundation Collaboratives.

Responding to your requests, we will now leverage the power of our community to tackle the sticky problem of hand-offs and transitions, with an emphasis on medication reconciliation. This Network’s focus is fully aligned with the IHI 5 Million Lives Campaign and JCAHO National Patient Safety Goals.

Participation is easy and dynamic, our goal is to tap into the pockets of success, wisdom and experience that already exist in our community and couple these with access to some of the most forward thinking experts in these topic areas. The direction the Network takes will be determined by its participants!

What is in the pipeline for the Handoffs and Transitions Learning Network:

On June 27 – June 28^th, 2007, we hosted our second series of sharing calls. The focus of each call was a different type of handoff process including handoffs from the ED to the floor, unit to unit handoffs, shift to shift handoffs, handoffs to ancillary services and handoffs to outside providers.
On September 21^st, 2007, we held a conference call on medication reconciliation and the handoff of medication information. Frank Federico, of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), was the guest speaker. During the call Mr. Federico provided an overview of trends in medication reconciliation and shared lessons learned from facilities around the country.
From October 1^st – October 19^th, 2007, we conducted a survey of the hospitals in the Learning Network. The survey results provided participating facilities with an analysis of the approaches and strategies implemented across the state to improve handoffs and transitions in care. We will be disseminating the results of the survey at the Final Workshop. The survey will be available here for download very soon.
On October 22^nd and 26^th, 2007, we hosted our 3^rd Series of Sharing Calls. The focus was on the various types of handoff process including handoffs from the ED to the floor, unit to unit handoffs, shift to shift handoffs, handoffs to ancillary services and handoffs to outside providers.

The 3^rd Workshop was held on Wednesday, February 6^th, 2008 at Turf Valley Resort. This meeting included a thought-provoking presentation from Bruce Lambert, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago on power gradients and communication. There were also presentations from local and national hospitals on projects that have resulted in improved transfers and handoffs throughout the hospital.
New! On April 24, 25, and 28 we will hold the Fourth Series of Sharing Calls. We will again be focusing each call on different types of handoff process including handoffs from the ED to the floor, unit to unit handoffs, shift to shift handoffs, handoffs to ancillary services and handoffs to outside providers. Registration for the calls will be open until April 25.

Quick Links

If you have any additional questions, contact Inga Adams Pizarro at 410-872-9636 (adamsi@dfmc.org) or ZeAmma Walker at 410-872-9690 (walkerz@dfmc.org).

Support for the Handoffs and Transitions Learning Network is being provided by Maryland Patient Safety Center and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

Note: Click here to get the FREE Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader.