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Neonatal intensive care unit handoffs: a pilot study on core elements and epidemiology of errors.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Derienzo, C; Lenfestey, R; Horvath, M; Goldberg, R; Ferranti, J
Published in: J Perinatol
February 2014

OBJECTIVE: To define the core data elements of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) handoff compare NICU residents' written and verbal handoff data with real-time, auto-populated data and identify the epidemiology of handoff errors. STUDY DESIGN: We defined nine core data elements for a NICU patient handoff. We then compared residents' written and verbal handoffs against real-time, auto-populated data for each core element. RESULT: A total of 101 NICU patient handoffs (31 unique patients) were analyzed. Per patient, residents made more written errors for infants in critical-care beds than for infants in step-down beds (2.33 vs 1.67, P=0.04). Replacing residents' written handoffs with the gold-standard, auto-populated data would have prevented 92% of written errors. CONCLUSION: NICU infants are subjected to many handoff errors. Sicker infants are at higher risk for error. Auto-population can reduce written handoff errors and allow residents more time for training and educational opportunities.

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Published In

J Perinatol

DOI

EISSN

1476-5543

Publication Date

February 2014

Volume

34

Issue

2

Start / End Page

149 / 152

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Factors
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pediatrics
  • Patient Handoff
  • Medical Errors
  • Internship and Residency
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Humans
  • Communication
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
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Derienzo, C., Lenfestey, R., Horvath, M., Goldberg, R., & Ferranti, J. (2014). Neonatal intensive care unit handoffs: a pilot study on core elements and epidemiology of errors. J Perinatol, 34(2), 149–152. https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.146
Derienzo, C., R. Lenfestey, M. Horvath, R. Goldberg, and J. Ferranti. “Neonatal intensive care unit handoffs: a pilot study on core elements and epidemiology of errors.J Perinatol 34, no. 2 (February 2014): 149–52. https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.146.
Derienzo C, Lenfestey R, Horvath M, Goldberg R, Ferranti J. Neonatal intensive care unit handoffs: a pilot study on core elements and epidemiology of errors. J Perinatol. 2014 Feb;34(2):149–52.
Derienzo, C., et al. “Neonatal intensive care unit handoffs: a pilot study on core elements and epidemiology of errors.J Perinatol, vol. 34, no. 2, Feb. 2014, pp. 149–52. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/jp.2013.146.
Derienzo C, Lenfestey R, Horvath M, Goldberg R, Ferranti J. Neonatal intensive care unit handoffs: a pilot study on core elements and epidemiology of errors. J Perinatol. 2014 Feb;34(2):149–152.

Published In

J Perinatol

DOI

EISSN

1476-5543

Publication Date

February 2014

Volume

34

Issue

2

Start / End Page

149 / 152

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Risk Factors
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pediatrics
  • Patient Handoff
  • Medical Errors
  • Internship and Residency
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Humans
  • Communication