Evaluating the Safety and Quality of Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoffs from the Perspective of Anesthesia Providers

Handoffs, that is, care transitions, convey information, responsibility, and authority between care providers. Intraoperative handoffs, which occur during surgery either due to shift changes or breaks, are high-risk, error-prone and linked with inadequate verbal communication and documentation. We explored perspectives about safety and quality of intraoperative handoffs between anesthesia providers at an academic medical center. Through an anonymous online survey, we asked participants to share their opinions on current handoff practices including teamwork, staffing and work pace, and handoffs and information exchange. The results showed positive perceptions about teamwork, while only half of the participants were positive about staffing and work pace. We also found that opinions of participants about staffing and work pace vary based on their role. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering diverse perspectives and employing a systems-based approach to address challenges and implement effective interventions for safe, high-quality handoffs in intraoperative care.