The surgical handoff: Implications and future directions for otolaryngology

Effective communication is essential to patient safety and quality of care. In fact, communication problems have been cited as contributing factors in 26 to 31% of medical malpractice claims.1The “handoff,” or transfer of patient care from one healthcare provider to another, is intended to ensure continuity of care. This is not only the passive transfer of information but also the transfer of responsibility.