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Transition from an intensive care unit (ICU) to a medical ward is a particularly vulnerable time for complex, critically ill patients. Good communication between providers during this common but risky transition is crucial to ensuring patient safety. Few studies have been designed to evaluate communication during ICU-to-ward transitions.
Investigators in Canada surveyed sending and receiving providers, as well as patients, families, or both, after 112 ICU transfers to general wards in a single university-affiliated tertiary care center. Overall satisfaction of receiving and sending physicians and patients was high; however, both ICU providers and receiving providers perceived a low rate (<30%) of verbal communication at transfer, and written…