The format of standard tools for nursing handoff: an integrative review.

Abstract

Standardization is one proposed solution for more efficient and effective nursing handoffs. The purpose of this review is to describe the format of handoff tools designed for standardizing nursing handoffs within inpatient acute care units. Four formats were identified in the 14 articles meeting inclusion criteria: printed templates, printed spreadsheets, mnemonics, and checklists. Little consistency across tools exists. Further research to compare efficiency and effectiveness of handoffs using different formats in needed.