​Use of an electronic checklist during intraoperative handoffs of care can improve clinician communication and the relay and retention of critical patient information, according to the results of a study published in the January 2015 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia. The study, which observed and assessed 69 intraoperative handoffs between outgoing and incoming anesthesiologists, found that patient information was relayed more frequently during handoffs that involved the checklist when compared with handoffs that did not, including information related to the administration of vasopressors (85% versus 44%) and antiemetics (46% versus 15%); estimated blood loss (85% versus 57%) and urine output (85% versus 52%); communication about potential areas of concern (92% versus 57%); postoperative planning (92% versus 43%); and introduction of the relieving anesthesiologist to the operating team (51% versus 3%). With respect to retention, the data indicated that relieving anesthesiologists whose handoffs involved the checklist more frequently knew the antibiotic, muscle relaxant, and amount of fluid administered than those whose handoffs did not. The researchers note that the checklist was being used voluntarily in 60% of the handoffs by the end of the study period and mention that clinicians who reported using the checklist in at least two-thirds of their handoffs also reported higher levels of satisfaction with the overall quality of handoff communication.

HRC Recommends: The value of checklists during handoff communication continues to be demonstrated. Senior surgical staff should review current processes to determine if they can be strengthened by use of such a checklist. Another checklist recently reviewed for use during surgery is that from the World Health Organization, which is intended to help surgical staff reduce the risk of patient harm.