EMS to ED Handoff: How to Not Fall Through The Cracks!

Handoff between Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers and the Emergency Department (ED) is a crucial moment in patient care. During this time, EMS providers can relay critical information about the scene, patient assessment, or their interventions that can change the course of hospital management. During this time, critical information can be lost, possibly causing delays in care, inaccurate history, or unnecessary testing. This presentation will identify the pearls and pitfalls of handoff while also helping attendees develop a succinct and effective means of communicating critical information. This presentation will focus on strategies both from the ED and EMS perspective to ensure that safe handoffs become the standard in EDs. Attendees will be presented with evidence-based literature and real world examples supporting these strategies with the goal of improving patient safety and outcomes.