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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01134419

Implementing a Comprehensive Handoff Program to Improve Pediatric Patient Safety

The investigators propose to test the hypothesis that implementation of a comprehensive handoff program (CHP) - i.e., implementation of a computerized handoff tool along with teamwork training for pediatric residents on inpatient units at Children's Hospital Boston - will lead to reductions in resident miscommunications / medical errors and improvements in workflow and experience on the wards.

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Key information

Conditions

Patient Safety Resident Experience Resident Workflow

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Children's Hospital Boston

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

About this study

Following collection of baseline data on two inpatient pediatric wards, teamwork training is to be provided to all pediatric residents. On our primary intervention unit, this will be accompanied by the introduction of a new computerized handoff tool that facilitates accurate transmission of data. The effects of this combined intervention on safety and workflow will be assessed on the primary intervention ward as compared with the historical control unit and the concurrent unit that received teamwork training without the computerized tool.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • all residents working on study units during study period, except as below

Exclusion criteria

  • residents on the teamwork only unit who have previously been on the primary intervention unit

Treatment and study plan

Computerized handoff tool

Other

Informatics tool to aid in transfer of patient care information

Team training

Other

Teamwork training and revisions of handoff structure to optimize teamwork skills and verbal communications

Primary outcomes

  1. Rates of resident-related communication and total medical errors

    Time frame: July 2010

    Resident-related medical errors (including medication-related, diagnostic, and procedural) detected using a multi-pronged prospective surveillance methodology that involves 5d/week chart review, review of hospital incident reports, and collection of staff reports. Resident-related defined as involving a resident research subject. Communication errors are those medical errors attributable to communication failures.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Rates of total medical errors

    Time frame: July 2010

    As above, but includes both those errors involving residents and those involving all other clinical personnel.

  2. Minutes residents spend updating the signout; minutes spent in direct patient care; minutes spent working at computer

    Time frame: July 2010

  3. Resident reported experience of care

    Time frame: July 2010

    Self-reported, Likert scales on survey instruments.

  4. Rates of verbal miscommunications

    Time frame: July 2010

    Detected by direct observation, audio recording, then rating using study instrument developed for this purpose.

  5. Rates of written miscommunications

    Time frame: July 2010

    Detected by detailed review of written signouts, rated using study instrument developed for this purpose.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Boston Children's Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • Harvard Risk Management Foundation

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
Jun 2, 2010
Registry last updated
May 16, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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