“Effective communication during handoffs from Labor and Delivery (L&D) to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is critical, especially in managing high-risk cases immediately following birth. However, current handoff practices often lack standardization and omit essential information, which can impede accurate assessments and timely interventions by both L&D and NICU teams. These inconsistencies compromise neonatal team preparedness and contribute to communication failures, a factor in over 70% of sentinel events (Helen et al., 2018). Brewer et al. (2023) highlight the importance of enhancing handoff workflows to improve preparedness. Evidence shows that streamlined handoff processes foster better communication, collaboration, and critical thinking among L&D and NICU staff, ultimately enhancing patient safety and care outcomes.”

Lauren Deese, BSN, RN (NICU) and Cassidy Valbrun, MN, RN (L&D) Women’s Services From Push to Pod: NICU Handoffs That Deliver [Emory Healthcare Nurse Residency] Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta GA