The interdepartmental ticket (IT) factor: enhancing communication to improve quality

J Nurs Care Qual. 2012 Jul-Sep;27(3):247-52. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0b013e31824f0e3b.

Abstract

This article presents the implementation and 1-year evaluation of a staff nurse-driven initiative addressing a Joint Commission patient safety imperative to improve the consistency of handoff communication. An interdepartmental ticket was developed and implemented through a planned process. The interdepartmental ticket serves as a requisite passport for providing key communication of critical information to facilitate a safe transition between medical-surgical and progressive care nursing units and specific ancillary departments.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / prevention & control*
  • Communication*
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations*
  • Nursing Evaluation Research
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Transfer / organization & administration*
  • Practice Patterns, Nurses'*
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / organization & administration*