A registered nurse recently posed this question to her Twitter followers: If you’re an ICU doctor and you get to ask your patient’s nurse three questions, and only three questions, what do you ask to get the information you need?
ICU Doctor/APP: you get to ask your patient ‘s nurse 3 questions (only). What three questions do you ask to get the most information possible? #medtwitter #WomenInMedicine @virenkaul
— reepRN (@reepRN) July 24, 2018
The question may have been directed specifically to ICU docs, but the answers are broadly applicable. Patient handoffs are a necessary part of comprehensive care. Communication is key, and time is short. What’s the best way to get the most information in the shortest amount of time? Healthcare professionals from all specialities and credentials chimed in to share their approach to successful communication during handoffs.
What have you have observed while caring for this patient?
— RanaAwdishMD (@RanaAwdish) July 24, 2018
What do you see that concerns you?
Are there aspects of the care you don’t feel we as a team are addressing?
Specifically at morning rounds:
— Viren Kaul, MD (@virenkaul) July 24, 2018
1) How was patient’s night, did they sleep?
2) What are our shared goals for today?
3) What questions can we answer for them and the patient that may have gone unaddressed.
1. Is there anything I can help you with/anything you need
— TitrateToEffect (@RomanSpivakMD) July 24, 2018
2. Is there anything the patient needs that I didn't address
3. Did you eat/rest?
1. Are you happy?
— Dr Daniel Crook (@EMsafe) July 24, 2018
2. What do you need from me?
3. So when I present we’ll say “xyz”, anything else?
What do I need to know? Who are the patients family/friends? What do you need from me?
— DoctorICU (@DoctorBecki) July 24, 2018
1. What are you worried about in the next 24°?
— Mark Reid, MD (@medicalaxioms) July 24, 2018
2. What do you need from me?
3. How are you doing?
How was your night?
— Dr_H (@AlanHawxbyMD) July 24, 2018
What problems should we anticipate?
How can I help?
How fresh is the coffee in the patient nourishment station?
— Ronald Hirsch, MD (@signaturedoc) July 24, 2018
Did the person who sat at this computer station before me clean their hands?
Is that physician advisor off the unit yet?
So now it’s your turn — what are your three essential handoff questions?
