www.auntminnie.com/index.asp… Burns and colleagues outlined three actions radiology departments can take to ensure safe care transitions:

Focus on individual behaviors. Train staff on potential sources of error (i.e., order requests, report transcriptions, ineffective listening). Use tools like notetaking, repeating information back, checklists, screen-sharing, and virtual consults. Focus on team behaviors. Designate particular handoff times rather than conducting them “on the fly.” “Wet reads and curbside consults are especially vulnerable to communication and accountability errors,” the group noted. Reduce noise in team environments and limit interruptions. Make use of safety checklists for procedures. Develop organizational strength. Automate parts of the handoff protocol, such as reminders, exam orders, and reporting using the electronic health record. Establish a safety culture: “An organizational culture that prioritizes patient safety more closely aligns with provider goals, builds a stronger shared mental model of the role of handoffs in care transitions, and transforms handoffs from isolated communication events into true transfers of professional responsibility,” the group wrote. Improving patient care transitions is crucial on so many levels, and requires cooperation between individuals, teams, and organizations, according to the authors.