Programs must design clinical assignments to optimize transitions in patient care including their safety, frequency, and structure. Programs in partnership with the School of Medicine and participating institution must ensure and monitor effective, structured hand-over processes to facilitate both continuity of care and patient safety. Programs must ensure that House Officers are competent in communicating with team members in the hand-over process. Programs and clinical sites must maintain and communicate schedules of attending physicians and House Officers currently responsible for care. Programs will ensure continuity of patient care, in the event that a if House Officer may be unable to perform their patient care responsibilities due to excessive fatigue or illness.
This transitions policy is created with recognition that multiple studies have shown that transitions of care create the most risk or medical errors. ACGME teleconference July 14, 2010 In addition to the below specific policies, promotion of patient safety is further ensured by:
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