Sign Outs

Key Takeaways

• Prior to meeting with the receiving team, the team signing out meets to review the patient list, making sure essential information is covered and emphasized.
• Programs may have a checklist for each patient to provide uniformity for the sign out process, such as the SBAR-CQC method. These are often on the hospital’s computer system, where they can be completed in preparation for the actual sign out.
• When the sign out team meets with the receiving team, they may provide copies of the previously prepared summary sheets to help the receiving team follow the presentations.
• Signing out is best done somewhere quiet enough for all participants to hear and where interruptions will be minimized.
• Communication between residents during sign outs is two-way.
• It is difficult to limit all interruptions such as phone calls and pages. Unless they are emergencies, these should be deferred until the end of sign outs.
• Throughout the sign out process the resident will present initial background on the patient, assessment, and further recommendations for treatment, giving the receiving team time to ask questions.
• It is helpful for the receiving team to repeat the summary of recommendations to ensure that they have been clearly understood.
• For more critical patients, the senior resident may present the information and there may be more exchange between the two senior residents.
• It is important that the new team be aware of each patient's resuscitation or code status and have contact information for family or other designated individuals.

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