Background

Handoffs are a weak link in the chain of clinical care of inpatients. Within-unit handoffs are increasing in frequency due to changes in duty hours. There are strong rationales for standardising the reporting of critical information between providers, and such practices have been adopted by other industries.

Objectives

As part of Making Healthcare Safer IV we reviewed the evidence from the last 10 years that the use of structured handoff protocols influences patient safety outcomes within acute care hospital units.

Methods

We searched four databases for systematic reviews and original research studies of any design that assessed structured handoff protocols and reported patient safety outcomes. Screening and eligibility were done in duplicate, while data extraction was done by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. The synthesis of results is narrative. Certainty of evidence was based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework as modified for Making Healthcare Safer IV.

Results

We searched for evidence on 12 handoff tools. Two systematic reviews of Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) (including 11 and 28 original research studies; 5 and 15 were about the use in handoffs) and two newer original research studies provided low certainty evidence that the SBAR tool improves patient safety outcomes. Ten original research studies (about nine implementations) provided moderate certainty evidence that the I-PASS tool (Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation awareness, Synthesis to receiver) reduces medical errors and adverse events. No other structured handoff tool was assessed in more than one study or one setting.

Conclusion

The SBAR and I-PASS structured tools for within-unit handoffs probably improve patient safety, with I-PASS having a stronger certainty of evidence. Other published tools lack sufficient evidence to draw conclusions.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024576324.

Purpose

This systematic review aims to identify the implementation strategies of financial navigation and systematically synthesise its effects on mitigating financial toxicity among cancer survivors, based on the theoretical framework of implementation science.

Methods

Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, ScienceDirect and ProQuest Health & Medical Collection databases were searched for studies published before 22 August 2023. We sought original research on financial navigation interventions among adult cancer survivors with financial toxicity in healthcare settings. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials, 2.0 and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions-I were used to assess the risk of bias in included studies. In addition, the implementation strategies of the included studies were categorised and collated based on Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change, and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was adopted to explain barriers and facilities for implementation.

Results

In total, 6855 records were screened, yielding 14 full-text articles, which were included (3 randomised clinical trials and 11 non-randomised studies). ‘Train and educate stakeholders’ (n=13 (92.9%)) and ‘use evaluative and iterative strategies’ (n=12 (85.7%)) were the most common implementation strategies in financial navigation. The feasibility of financial navigation is relatively high, but generally hindered by the health condition of cancer survivors, low willingness to participate and insufficient number of navigators to cover all participants. After the intervention, three of seven studies reported statistically significant mitigations in patient-reported financial toxicity. In studies reporting statistically significant outcomes, ‘adapt and tailor to the context’ and ‘change infrastructure’ were proposed as key corresponding recommendations.

Conclusions

Financial navigation is a potentially beneficial intervention for lessening the financial toxicity of cancer survivors, but more high-level evidence is needed for further validation. Financial navigation combined with the theoretical framework of implementation science provides a foundation for the future realisation of the leap from knowledge to practice.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023469114.

Many successful implementation studies fail to be sustained and spread after the publication. We aimed to spread a successful deimplementation strategy that reduced inappropriate peripheral venous catheter and urinary catheter use and evaluated the spread, adoption and effects of this strategy in clinical practice.

We adapted the original successful study into a more accessible project, creating a toolkit called Better without catheter. We recruited 39 hospitals (more than half of all Dutch hospitals) across the Netherlands, which participated in regular online meetings. After 21 months, we sent an online survey to the project leaders of the participating hospitals to assess progress, barriers and facilitators to adopting the project.

Widespread promotion and targeted emails were key factors in spreading Better without catheter. There was considerable variation in the hospitals’ progress; five had not yet started, six had completed the project and the others were at various stages in between. Major barriers included lack of time and resources, organisational facilities and the composition of local project teams. Key facilitators were organisational support and the involvement of physicians and nurse leaders. Project leaders valued the toolkit, the flexibility to tailor the project and the online meetings.

Overall, the spread and adoption of this deimplementation strategy showed encouraging results, with 39 hospitals joining the network within 2 years. Although reach and engagement were high, the hospitals’ progress in the project was frequently hindered by organisational and management factors. Four elements supported the uptake: widespread promotion, the translation of the original study into an accessible improvement project with practical tools, the flexibility to tailor the approach locally and participation in a peer network.

Abbott has issued new instructions on removing TactiFlex Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled from its packaging due to tip detachment issues

Abbott has issued new instructions on removing TactiFlex Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled from its packaging due to tip detachment issues

FDA Updates Warning About Imported Cookware That May Leach Lead: August 2025. Retailers Should Not Sell and Consumers Should Not Use Certain Cookware Because of Their Potential to Leach Lead into Food When Cooking

mo-Vis BVBA is correcting R-net Joysticks due to a firmware error that may cause the wheelchair to ignore the neutral setting and move unexpectedly.

Medline is recalling certain Medline Kits containing recalled Medtronic DLP Left Heart Vent Catheters as the catheter may not retain its shape.

FDA alerts of risks with use of unauthorized blood pressure devices, which have not been reviewed for safety and effectiveness.  

FDA alerts of risks with use of unauthorized infant monitoring devices, which have not been reviewed for safety and effectiveness.

mo-Vis BVBA is correcting R-net Joysticks due to a firmware error that may cause the wheelchair to ignore the neutral setting and move unexpectedly.

Medline is recalling certain Medline Kits containing recalled Medtronic DLP Left Heart Vent Catheters as the catheter may not retain its shape.

t:slim X2 insulin pumps provide insulin to people with diabetes, but a speaker wiring issue may cause an error that makes the pump stop delivering insulin.

Dexcom is correcting G7 & ONE+ Apps that fail to alert users when sensors fail, potentially causing missed alerts and delayed treatment of hypo/hyperglycemia.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. (Sept. 12, 2025) – BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, today expanded their Class I voluntary recall initiated in the United States on July 8, 2025 and expanded on July 17, 2025 to inform customers of worst-case performanc

t:slim X2 insulin pumps provide insulin to people with diabetes, but a speaker wiring issue may cause an error that makes the pump stop delivering insulin.

This communication is part of the Communications Pilot to Enhance the Medical Device Recall Program.

DreamStation devices may deliver incorrect therapy due to programming errors. Continued use could cause ineffective treatment or harm.

DreamStation devices may deliver incorrect therapy due to programming errors. Continued use could cause ineffective treatment or harm.

Dexcom is correcting G7 & ONE+ Apps that fail to alert users when sensors fail, potentially causing missed alerts and delayed treatment of hypo/hyperglycemia.