Does Checklist Implementation Improve Quantity of Data Transfer: An Observation in Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

BACKGROUND: Omission of patient information in perioperative communication is closely linked to adverse events. Use of checklists to standardize the handoff in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) has been shown to effectively reduce medical errors. OBJECTIVE: Our study investigates the use of a checklist to improve quantity of data transfer during handoffs in the PACU. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: PACU at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC); June 13, 2016 through July 15, 2016. PATIENTS, OTHER PARTICIPANTS: We observed the handoff reports between the nurses, PACU midlevel providers, anesthesia staff, and surgical staff. INTERVENTION: A physical checklist was provided to all anesthesia staff and recommended to adhere to the list at all observed PACU handoffs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Quantity of reported handoff items during 60 pre- and 60 post-implementation of a checklist. RESULTS: Composite value from both surgical and anesthesia reports showed an increase in the mean report of 8.7 items from pre-implementation period to 10.9 post-implementation. Given that surgical staff reported the mean of 5.9 items pre-implementation and 5.5 items post-implementation without intervention, improvements in anesthesia staff report with intervention improved the overall handoff data transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Using a physical 12-item checklist for PACU handoff increased overall data transfer.