Growing evidence supports the use of simulation training as a powerful tool in medical education. Investigators provided two groups of nursing students with different modalities of teaching on error. One group participated in simulated error experiences while the other watched movies about error; both groups reviewed a standard curriculum on medication errors. The authors found that both groups were more likely than baseline to demonstrate increased caution with regard to medication errors, but limited evidence suggested that the simulation group was more sensitive to the risk of error.

Human factors engineering aims to optimize performance by examining the relationship between individuals and the system within which they work. This field of study has long been used to improve the safety of industries like manufacturing and aviation, and it has more recently been applied to health care. This study used human factors approaches to conduct observations, surveys, interviews, and focus groups about handoffs, specifically for postsurgical patients transferred from the operating room to the intensive care unit. The investigators identified flaws in handoff practices; then they designed a standardized handoff process to address these vulnerabilities. The redesigned handoff did not take more time than prior handoffs but did demonstrate better participant satisfaction. The authors suggest that their human factors-based improvement approach could be applied to other patient safety processes. A past PSNet interview discussed the application of human factors to health care.

This review summarizes how standardizing processes, completing urgent clinical tasks prior to information transfer, allowing patient-specific discussion during verbal handovers, and providing training in team and communication skills would improve patient handovers.