Joint Commission journal on quality and patient safety / Joint Commission Resources
-
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf · May 2013
Measuring handoff quality in labor and delivery: development, validation, and application of the Coordination of Handoff Effectiveness Questionnaire (CHEQ).
A prospective, nonblinded intervention study was conducted (1) to evaluate the psychometric properties of a new questionnaire, the CHEQ (Coordination of Handoff Effectiveness Questionnaire) for measuring the quality of handoff interactions in labor and delivery (L&D) and (2) to demonstrate the utility of the CHEQ in evaluating the effectiveness of a previously described intervention, the tangible handoff, for standardizing handoffs in L&D. ⋯ The CHEQ is psychometrically sound for evaluating handoffquality, is practical to administer, achieves high response rates, and is amenable to straightforward statistical analysis. The CHEQ is useful for evaluating handoff quality and gauging the responsiveness to a unit-level intervention in the scope of unit-level climate. The CHEQ may be replicated or adapted for other clinical areas to investigate handoffs and inform the design and evaluation of handoff interventions.
-
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf · May 2013
Enhancing the effectiveness of follow-up phone calls to improve transitions in care: three decision points.
Unavoidable rehospitalizations are frequent, costly, and burdensome for patients and families. The incidence of rehospitalizations within 30 days of discharge can be reduced by improving communication and coordination of care, including enhancing communication with patients and families. Postdischarge follow-up calls are often cited as a cost-effective intervention, yet there is little standardization on how they should be conducted. ⋯ TFU should continue to be explored as a cost-effective option to reduce readmissions.