Hand-off communication does affect patient safety.

When there is a cacophony of activity happening all at once, it is difficult to find the time for proper hand-offs and the communication that accompanies the hand-off. The patient is very often hustled from one department to another and from one healthcare professional to another-this in spite of everyone's best efforts to keep the patient's "transitions smooth" without any interruptions, catastrophes, or other unbidden woe. This article will focus on the need for hand-off communications that are methodical yet flexible and that promote patient safety.