ED I-PASS: A Streamlined Version of the I-PASS Patient Handoff Tool for the Emergency Department
Correspondence should be addressed to Sarah R. Williams, MD at srwilliams@stanford.edu
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21980/J80G8F
ABSTRACT:
Audience:
The target audience for this presentation includes attendings, residents, advanced practice providers, and medical students who work in the emergency department (ED).
Introduction:
The Joint Commission estimates that 80% of serious medical errors are related to miscommunication between providers during transitions of care (also known as patient “handoffs” or “sign-outs”)1. An organized approach to patient handoffs has the potential to significantly improve patient safety in the ED. The multicenter I-PASS study2 showed that implementing the I-PASS handoff process3 significantly decreased medical errors and adverse events. However, these studies were conducted on inpatient wards, subject to different workflows than the ED. The attached curriculum presents a streamlined version of I-PASS that can be performed efficiently in the ED.
Objectives:
The purpose of this presentation is to provide ED providers with a tool that may improve the safety of their patient handoffs. By the end of this presentation, the learner will be able to 1) describe the importance of safe and efficient handoffs, 2) recall each element of the I-PASS mnemonic, and 3) demonstrate an understanding of how it can be feasibly performed in a busy ED setting.
Method:
This educational module features 1) a PowerPoint presentation with an embedded audio track and hyperlinks to videos, and 2) a multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam. Two appendices are also provided as additional resources: 1) an “ED-IPASS Fast Facts” quick reference guide, and 2) a transcript of the videos with optional debriefing exercises.
Topics:
This presentation includes a comprehensive, self-contained ED handoff training module utilizing I-PASS streamlined for the ED. It outlines the importance of effective communication in patient handoffs, reviews the I-PASS mnemonic, and illustrates examples of how it may be adapted to the ED setting. Transitions of care, patient handoffs, sign-outs, I-PASS, ED I-PASS, patient safety, emergency department communication, emergency medicine, medical education.
