Background: “Handoff reports are critical communication points in which essential patient information—such as history, diagnosis, received care, and plan of care—is exchanged between nurses (Blazin et al., 2020). In high-acuity settings like the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU), complex care needs—such as unstable hemodynamics, monitors, devices, and titratable drips—require precise and efficient handoffs to prevent errors and ensure continuity of care. Failures in effective communication are a leading cause of sentinel events in healthcare, with nearly half occurring during patient handoffs (Blazin et al., 2020). I-PASS, a standardized handoff tool, address these gaps in communication by promoting clear and structured information using the five-part mnemonic: Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situational awareness and Contingency plan, and Synthesis by receiver (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2023). Illness severity is intended to be a phone-call heads-up, while the rest of the report is intended to be given at the bedside. Evidence shows that I-PASS implementation significantly reduces medical errors and preventable adverse events (Chladek et al., 2021).”

Purpose: “To evaluate the impact of implementing the standardized I-PASS handoff protocol on interdepartmental communication and staff satisfaction among the Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive care Unit (ICU) registered nurses (RNs) at EJCH.Goal: To achieve a 25% improvement in nursing satisfaction of handoff report among the RNs in the ED and 3S”

Bermudez, Kaylee BSN, RN; Lee, Angela, BSN, RN – Emergency Department; (ED) Bell, Tajiyanal, BSN, RN; RN; Hadi, Chelsea, MN, RN; Ortiz, Angie, MN, RN – Intensive Care Unit (ICU) [Emory Healthcare Nurse Residency] Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Atlanta GA