… electronic communication during acute care transfers . … Usher M, Sahni N, Herrigel D, et al. Diagnostic Discordance, Health Information …

Patients are at risk for adverse events when they are transferred from one acute care hospital to another. This retrospective study of transfers from outside hospitals to intensive care units found that documentation was often incomplete and lack of documentation was associated with higher in-hospital mortality. These findings underscore the importance of accurate and effective handoffs.

Interhospital transfers have similar risks as other care transitions, but less is known about them. This descriptive study found variation in the training and experience of transfer care coordinators and communication practices in handoffs. Standardization in these practices should enhance patient safety.